Top 100 International Scholarships for African Students in 2026
The 100 best fully funded international scholarships for African students in 2026 — undergraduate, master's, PhD and fellowships, ranked by deadline and editor verification. Updated live.

International scholarships are the single biggest accelerator available to African graduates today — but the list of names keeps growing and the deadlines keep moving. This page is our editors' live ranking of the top 100 fully funded international scholarships currently open to African students, rebuilt every time we re-verify a programme.
How we rank the top 100
We rank by a simple formula: open application window, recency of editor verification, and the strength of the funding package. Awards are then grouped by study level so you can jump straight to what fits your stage — undergraduate, master's, PhD or fellowships.
New here? Skim fully funded vs partial scholarships first, then shortlist 4–6 awards below and apply in parallel.
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Start with these if a deadline is your tightest constraint.
- Young African Phosphorus Fellowship Award
African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) · Africa · Fellowship · Fully Funded
The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) Young African Phosphorus Fellowship Award supports early-career scientists in Africa focusing on phosphorus management in agroecosystems with a USD $5,000 grant.
31d left7 Jul 2026
Undergraduate — top international scholarships
12 verified fully funded awards at undergraduate level.
- Swarthmore College Need-Blind Financial Aid for International Students
Swarthmore College · United States · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
Swarthmore College offers need-based financial aid for international students, with a process that is distinct from aid for U.S. students. If you are an African student who is not considered a domestic applicant under Swarthmore’s definitions, you will apply as an international s
- Zawadi Africa Education Fund Scholarship
Zawadi Africa Education Fund · United States / Africa · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
Scholarships for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged African girls to pursue undergraduate study at universities in Africa and the United States.
- UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship
University College London (UCL) · United Kingdom · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
The UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarship enables and encourages international students from low-income backgrounds to pursue full-time Undergraduate degree studies at UCL, covering tuition fees and providing living stipends.
- Canada National Scholarship & International President’s Entrance Scholarships
Western University · Canada · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
The Canada National Scholarship Program & International President’s Entrance Scholarships for 2026–2027 are now open. This prestigious scholarship offers significant financial support and transformative educational opportunities for high-achieving students entering university.
- Destination Australia Scholarship
Australian Government — Department of Education · Australia · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
Up to AUD $15,000 per year (renewable) from the Australian Government for international and domestic students studying at a regional Australian campus.
- Syracuse University Coronat Scholarship
Syracuse University · United States · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
The Coronat Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship offered by Syracuse University.
- Davis-United World College Scholars Program
Colby College · United States · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
The Davis-United World College Scholars Program at Colby College offers scholarships to students from United World Colleges (UWC) who matriculate at Colby. This program is part of an initiative to support international students dedicated to making a positive social impact.
- Williams College International Financial Aid
Williams College · United States · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
Williams College offers an all-grant financial aid program for international undergraduate students, meeting 100% of demonstrated need without loans, work-study, or summer earnings requirements.
- Anglo American & De Beers Group Bursary Scheme
Anglo American / De Beers Group · South Africa · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
Comprehensive bursaries for South African students pursuing mining, engineering, geology, metallurgy and related STEM degrees, with vacation work and graduate placement.
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
University of Toronto · Canada · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
This scholarship rewards exceptional academics, creativity, and leadership, highlighting students' impact on their school and community, as well as their global potential. It is a highly selective award for international students.
- EARTH University Scholarships — Fully Funded Agricultural Sciences in Costa Rica
EARTH University · Costa Rica · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
EARTH University Scholarships — Fully Funded Agricultural Sciences in Costa Rica is a competitive financial-aid opportunity offered by EARTH University (Guácimo, Costa Rica) for undergraduate study in agricultural sciences. The program is tailored to students committed to sustainable agriculture and
- UNC Chapel Hill — Robertson and Morehead-Cain Scholarships for International Students
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · United States · Undergraduate · Fully Funded
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers two of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships available to high-achieving students worldwide: the Morehead-Cain Scholarship and the Robertson Scholars Program. Both opportunities are known for covering the full cost of attendance, and b
Masters — top international scholarships
14 verified fully funded awards at masters level.
- African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scholarship for Scientific Excellence
African Union Commission · Africa · Masters · Fully Funded
Flagship African Union scholarship funding African master's, PhD and post-doctoral candidates pursuing science, technology and innovation at AU-accredited universities across the continent.
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program · United States · Masters · Fully Funded
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) offers full funding for master's degrees in development-related fields for mid-career professionals from developing countries.
- FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship for International Postgraduate Study
FirstRand Foundation · Worldwide · Masters · Fully Funded
Prestigious South African scholarship funding two years of postgraduate study at any top international university for South African citizens.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM)
European Commission (Erasmus+) · European Union · Masters · Fully Funded
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) are fully funded two-year master's degrees delivered across at least three European universities — open to African students with strong scholarship coverage of tuition, travel, settling-in and monthly stipend.
- ECOWAS Scholarship Programme
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) · West Africa · Masters · Fully Funded
Regional scholarships for West African students to pursue postgraduate studies at universities within the ECOWAS community in priority development fields.
- Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship
Westpac Scholars Trust · Australia · Masters · Fully Funded
Up to AUD $120,000 over 1–3 years for postgraduate study at one of 11 Australian partner universities, plus leadership development and a global study tour.
- Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship
Stanford Graduate School of Business · United States · Masters · Fully Funded
Comprehensive guide to the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship: benefits, eligibility, documents, how to apply, timelines tied to Stanford GSB’s MBA cycle, selection criteria, and practical tips. The official page is currently inactive—verify current details with GSB.
- Windsor University Fully-Funded Scholarships for Master’s Degree in Business Administration
Various · Canada · Masters · Fully Funded
This scholarship offers full funding for African applicants pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Windsor University, covering all associated costs. Applicants need to register on the official portal to access full details and the application form.
- Sci-Tech Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) | Deadline: July 27, 2021
Various · Africa · Masters · Fully Funded
Sci-Tech Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) | Deadline: July 27, 2021 -, Post a Comment
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) · United Kingdom · Masters · Fully Funded
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme is one of three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. It provides fully funded Master's scholarships to students from eligible Commonwealth countries to study in the UK, aiming to contribute to development needs by training skilled professionals and academics.
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) · United Kingdom · Masters · Fully Funded
These scholarships support Master’s study for candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries, enabling them to study a UK Master’s degree by distance learning while remaining in their home country. The scholarships cover tuition fees and study grants.
- University of Oslo Scholarships for Developing Countries
University of Oslo · Norway · Masters · Fully Funded
The University of Oslo previously offered a Quota Scheme for students from developing countries, providing fully funded master's opportunities. However, the program has been discontinued.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley & Mastercard Foundation · United States · Masters · Fully Funded
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley supports 201 master’s degree students from African countries who are academically talented and committed to transformative change on the continent. The program is fully funded and encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, and those who are refugees or displaced.
- KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students
AfterSchoolAfrica · Germany · Masters · Fully Funded
The German Bundestag invites young graduates from West, East, and Southern African countries for a four-week parliamentary scholarship program in Berlin, offering first-hand experience of the German parliamentary system.
PhD — top international scholarships
14 verified fully funded awards at phd level.
- HKUST Postgraduate Scholarships (PhD Fellowship Scheme) for International Students
HKUST Postgraduate Scholarships (PhD Fellowship Scheme) · Hong Kong · PhD · Fully Funded
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) offers comprehensive scholarships for international PhD students, including the prestigious Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, the Postgraduate Studentship, and the RedBird PhD Award Program. These schemes provide substantial financial support covering tuition fees, living costs, and research allowances.
- Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships
Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships · United Kingdom · PhD · Fully Funded
The Imperial College President's PhD Scholarships offer a prestigious opportunity for outstanding doctoral candidates from around the world to pursue fully-funded PhD studies at a world-leading institution.
- UNSW Tuition Fee Research Scholarship (TFRS) + Stipend
University of New South Wales · Australia · PhD · Fully Funded
Full tuition + UNSW University International Postgraduate Award (UIPA) stipend for international PhD candidates at UNSW Sydney.
- UQ Research Training Scholarship (UQRTS)
University of Queensland · Australia · PhD · Fully Funded
Tuition + living stipend for international PhD and MPhil candidates at the University of Queensland, ranked global top 50.
- UTS International Research Scholarship (IRS)
University of Technology Sydney · Australia · PhD · Fully Funded
Full tuition + AUD ~$35,000/year stipend for international PhD and Masters by Research candidates at the University of Technology Sydney.
- Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS) — International
Monash University · Australia · PhD · Fully Funded
Living stipend + tuition fee scholarship combination for international PhD candidates at Monash University in Melbourne.
- University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
University of Sydney · Australia · PhD · Fully Funded
Australian Government-funded RTP awards administered by the University of Sydney covering full tuition + living stipend for international PhD candidates.
- CSIRO Research Plus Postgraduate Scholarship
CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) · Australia · PhD · Fully Funded
Top-up stipend, operating costs and CSIRO supervision for PhD students working on strategic CSIRO research projects at partner Australian universities.
- Macquarie University iMQRES Research Excellence Scholarship
Macquarie University · Australia · PhD · Fully Funded
Full tuition + AUD ~$35,000/year living stipend for international PhD candidates at Macquarie University in Sydney.
- ANU PhD Scholarship — International (HDR Fee Remission + RTP)
Australian National University · Australia · PhD · Fully Funded
Combined HDR fee remission + RTP/ANU stipend for international PhD candidates at Australia's #1 university for research.
- International Student Research Fellowships
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) · United States · PhD · Fully Funded
The HHMI International Student Research Fellowships supported international predoctoral students studying in the U.S. who were not eligible for federal funding. This program is no longer active.
- Chancellor's International Scholarships
University of Warwick · United Kingdom · PhD · Fully Funded
The University of Warwick offers fully-funded Chancellor's International Scholarships for eligible PhD students for 2026 entry, covering academic fees and living costs.
- International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS)
Max Planck Society · Germany · PhD · Fully Funded
The International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) offer outstanding doctoral education under excellent research conditions across a wide range of scientific disciplines, providing structured PhD programs in collaboration with universities.
- Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford University | Deadline: July to October
Rhodes Trust / University of Oxford · Benin · PhD · Fully Funded
Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford University | Deadline: July to October -, Post a Comment
Fellowship — top international scholarships
3 verified fully funded awards at fellowship level.
- Young African Phosphorus Fellowship Award
African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) · Africa · Fellowship · Fully Funded
The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) Young African Phosphorus Fellowship Award supports early-career scientists in Africa focusing on phosphorus management in agroecosystems with a USD $5,000 grant.
31d left7 Jul 2026 - Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship Programme
African Leadership Institute (AfLI) · Africa / Oxford · Fellowship · Fully Funded
Year-long leadership development programme for outstanding mid-career Africans, including residential modules at Oxford's Saïd Business School.
- African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Fellowship
AWARD (CGIAR) · Africa · Fellowship · Fully Funded
Career-development fellowship for African women scientists in agricultural research, providing mentoring, leadership training, science skills and research grants.
Undergraduate, Masters
4 verified awards.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program · Multiple · Undergraduate, Masters · Fully Funded
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers comprehensive scholarships to young African leaders, providing financial, academic, and psychosocial support to enable their success in higher education and beyond.
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship for African Students
Manaaki NZ Scholarship for African Students · New Zealand · Undergraduate, Masters · Fully Funded
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme offers fully funded opportunities for African students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in New Zealand. It fosters global connections and sustainable growth through quality education and an authentic New Zealand experience.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University
McGill University · Canada · Undergraduate, Masters · Fully Funded
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University is a fully funded scholarship for African students at the undergraduate and masters levels. Unfortunately, the official webpage is currently unavailable, preventing a detailed brief on benefits, eligibility, requirements, application process, and deadlines.
- VLIR-UOS Scholarships
VLIR-UOS · Belgium · Undergraduate, Masters · Fully Funded
VLIR-UOS offers fully funded scholarships for individuals from eligible developing countries to pursue a Bachelor or Master's degree in Flanders, Belgium, focusing on development-relevant topics.
Masters, Honours
1 verified award.
- Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship · South Africa · Masters, Honours · Fully Funded
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship offers young African leaders a unique opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in South Africa while participating in a transformative leadership development program.
Associate, Undergraduate, Masters, PhD, Research
1 verified award.
- Türkiye Scholarships
Republic of Türkiye, Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) · Türkiye · Associate, Undergraduate, Masters, PhD, Research · Fully Funded
Türkiye Scholarships is a comprehensive, government-funded scholarship program for international students seeking to pursue full-time or short-term education at prestigious Turkish universities.
Masters, PhD
5 verified awards.
- Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (FCDO) · United Kingdom · Masters, PhD · Fully Funded
Commonwealth Scholarships fund African students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to study a master's or PhD at a UK university — tuition, return airfare, monthly stipend and family allowances are all covered.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
U.S. Department of State / Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs · United States · Masters, PhD · Fully Funded
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program funds African students to pursue a master's or PhD at a US university, with full tuition, living stipend, travel, health cover and pre-academic English training where needed.
- Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford)
Rhodes Trust / University of Oxford · United Kingdom · Masters, PhD · Fully Funded
The Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford is a prestigious postgraduate award for exceptional individuals who are driven to make a positive impact globally. It offers full funding for Master\'s and PhD studies, comprehensive support, and access to a vibrant international community focused on addressing global challenges. Applications generally open on June 1st each year.
- Clarendon Scholarship (Oxford)
University of Oxford · United Kingdom · Masters, PhD · Fully Funded
The Clarendon Scholarship at the University of Oxford is a fully funded award covering full tuition and a generous living stipend for outstanding international master's and DPhil applicants — including African students — across all subjects.
- KAUST Fellowship — Fully Funded Masters and PhD at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) · Saudi Arabia · Masters, PhD · Fully Funded
Important note about the source: The official fellowship URL provided (https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/study/fellowships) currently displays a “Page Could Not Be Found” message on the KAUST website. No fellowship details, benefits, eligibility, or deadlines are visible on that page at this time.
Bachelor, Master, PhD
2 verified awards.
- Global Korea Scholarship (GKS / KGSP)
National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Korea · South Korea · Bachelor, Master, PhD · Fully Funded
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), formerly KGSP, is South Korea's flagship fully funded award for international students — covering tuition, Korean language training, monthly stipend, airfare and insurance for undergraduate, master's and PhD study.
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
China Scholarship Council (CSC) / Ministry of Education of China · China · Bachelor, Master, PhD · Fully Funded
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is a fully funded award covering bachelor, master and PhD study at 280+ Chinese universities — tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive insurance for international students from Africa.
Bachelor, Master, PhD, Specialized Training
1 verified award.
- MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship
Government of Japan — Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology · Japan · Bachelor, Master, PhD, Specialized Training · Fully Funded
The MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship, offered by the Government of Japan, is a prestigious and fully funded scholarship program for international students wishing to study in Japan at Bachelor, Master, PhD, and Specialized Training levels. It covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend for living expenses, and round-trip airfare. Eligibility criteria include citizenship of specific countries, age limits, strong academic performance, and a willingness to learn Japanese. Application deadlines vary, with the Embassy track usually opening between May and June. Applicants must submit extensive documentation, including application forms, transcripts, recommendation letters, and study plans. The selection process is highly competitive, based on academic merit, research potential, and interview performance. The official source for detailed information is https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarship/.
Multiple
5 verified awards.
- Higherlife Foundation Scholarship Programme
Higherlife Foundation · Zimbabwe · Multiple · Fully Funded
Scholarships and mentorship for orphaned and vulnerable African students at secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels across Zimbabwe and the region.
- Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brunei Darussalam · Brunei Darussalam · Multiple · Fully Funded
The Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship (BDGS) offers foreign students the opportunity to pursue higher education in Brunei Darussalam, covering all expenses for various levels of study.
- MEXT Japan Scholarship
MEXT · Japan · Multiple · Fully Funded
The MEXT Japan Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship program for international students to study in Japan, covering various levels of education.
- Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Scholarship
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung · Germany · Multiple · Fully Funded
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung offers scholarships to international students for various study levels, providing comprehensive financial and non-material support for their academic journey in Germany.
- Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme
Government of Hungary · Hungary · Multiple · Fully Funded
The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship offers international students the opportunity to pursue higher education in Hungary with fully covered tuition fees and accommodation support, fostering international academic and cultural exchange.
Undergraduate, Masters, PhD
2 verified awards.
- Australia Awards Scholarships
Scholars4Dev (Africa) · Australia · Undergraduate, Masters, PhD · Fully Funded
Australia Awards Scholarships provide opportunities for people from developing countries, particularly those in the Indo-Pacific region, to undertake full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and TAFE institutions.
- MOE Taiwan Scholarship Program
Ministry of Education (MOE), Taiwan · Taiwan · Undergraduate, Masters, PhD · Fully Funded
The MOE Taiwan Scholarship Program encourages international students to pursue higher education in Taiwan, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening international ties. This fully funded scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, and offers a monthly stipend.
Pre-University
1 verified award.
- African Leadership Academy Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
African Leadership Academy (ALA) · South Africa · Pre-University · Fully Funded
The African Leadership Academy (ALA) offers a fully funded scholarship program for pre-university students, focusing on developing future leaders for Africa. This program is in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Bachelors/Masters/PhD Degree
1 verified award.
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships for International Students
Scholars4Dev (Africa) · New Zealand · Bachelors/Masters/PhD Degree · Fully Funded
The New Zealand Government offers full tertiary scholarships for eligible international students to study fulltime at a New Zealand education institution or a Pacific university.
298d left31 Mar 2027
Bachelor's, Master's
1 verified award.
- VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships
VLIR-UOS Master's Scholarships (Belgium) · Belgium · Bachelor's, Master's · Fully Funded
VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships offer fully funded opportunities for students from eligible developing countries to pursue Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Belgium.
Master's, PhD
1 verified award.
- Pan-African University Full Scholarships
Pan-African University Full Scholarships · Africa · Master's, PhD · Fully Funded
The Pan-African University offers full scholarships for Master's and PhD programs across its institutes, covering tuition and living expenses for African Union citizens.
Undergraduate, Masters, PhD, Research
1 verified award.
- Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Scholarships)
Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Scholarships) · Turkey · Undergraduate, Masters, PhD, Research · Fully Funded
Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Scholarships) offers comprehensive scholarships for international students at associate, bachelor's, master's, PhD, and research levels in prestigious Turkish universities.
Bachelors / Masters / PhD
1 verified award.
- Government Scholarships - Developing Countries
Government of the Czech Republic · Czech Republic · Bachelors / Masters / PhD · Fully Funded
The Government of the Czech Republic offers fully funded scholarships to students from eligible developing countries for Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs at public universities in the Czech Republic.
Postdoc
2 verified awards.
- AfOx Visiting Fellowships at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford (Africa-Oxford Initiative - AFOx) · United Kingdom · Postdoc · Fully Funded
The Africa-Oxford Initiative (AFOx) offers visiting fellowships at the University of Oxford for postdoctoral researchers, academics, and professionals from African universities.
- African Humanities Program
American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) · Multiple · Postdoc · Fully Funded
The African Humanities Program (AHP) funded early-career scholars in the humanities in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. It supported research, knowledge production, and scholarly networks. The program is no longer active, but its successor, the African Humanities Association, continues its legacy.
Masters, PhD, Undergraduate
1 verified award.
- Taiwan ICDF Higher Education Scholarship
Taiwan ICDF · Taiwan · Masters, PhD, Undergraduate · Fully Funded
The Taiwan ICDF Higher Education Scholarship provides full funding for international students to pursue undergraduate, master's, and PhD degrees in Taiwan. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, airfare, insurance, and a monthly allowance.
Undergraduate, Masters, PhD, Short-term Mobility Scholarship
1 verified award.
- Study in Canada Scholarships
Global Affairs Canada · Canada · Undergraduate, Masters, PhD, Short-term Mobility Scholarship · Fully Funded
The Study in Canada Scholarships 2026–2027 offer fully funded short-term study or research opportunities at Canadian post-secondary institutions for international students, sponsored by Global Affairs Canada.
Professional Development
1 verified award.
- New Voices Fellowship
Aspen Institute · Multiple · Professional Development · Fully Funded
The Aspen Institute New Voices Fellowship catalyzes locally-rooted, globally-networked leaders to become visible, effective advocates for more equitable development systems. It equips experts from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean with communication and advocacy skills to influence development policies.
Postdoctoral
1 verified award.
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Government of Canada (CIHR / NSERC / SSHRC) · Canada · Postdoctoral · Fully Funded
The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, offered by the Government of Canada, provide $70,000 CAD per year for two years to top-tier postdoctoral researchers. This prestigious program supports Canadian and international scholars in health, natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences and humanities, encouraging them to contribute to Canada's research and innovation landscape. Applicants need a recent PhD and institutional endorsement.
Masters / PhD / Postdoc
1 verified award.
- DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) · Germany · Masters / PhD / Postdoc · Fully Funded
Germany's national agency for academic exchange offers a wide range of fully-funded scholarships for international students and researchers, including dedicated programs for African scholars.
Postgraduate
2 verified awards.
- Nelson Mandela Foundation – Mandela Rhodes & Partner Scholarships
Nelson Mandela Foundation · South Africa · Postgraduate · Fully Funded
Postgraduate scholarships and leadership development programmes for young Africans, delivered in partnership with the Mandela Rhodes Foundation and other partners.
- Shell Centenary Scholarship Fund (Africa)
Shell Petroleum Development Company / SPDC JV · Nigeria · Postgraduate · Fully Funded
Postgraduate scholarships for Nigerian and other African graduates in energy, engineering, environmental and related disciplines at recognized universities.
Digital Skills Training
1 verified award.
- The Mastercard Nigeria GATEWAY Program
Mastercard · Nigeria · Digital Skills Training · Fully Funded
The Mastercard Nigeria GATEWAY Program empowers young Nigerians with high-demand digital skills for dignified participation in the global gig economy through AI-enhanced learning, mentorship, and gig placement opportunities.
Undergraduate, Graduate, Postgraduate
1 verified award.
- Russian Government Scholarships
Government of the Russian Federation · Russia · Undergraduate, Graduate, Postgraduate · Fully Funded
The Russian Government offers scholarships for international students to study in Russia at various levels, covering a wide range of academic fields.
Pre-university (IB Diploma)
1 verified award.
- UWC Scholarship — Fully Funded International Baccalaureate at United World Colleges
United World Colleges (UWC) · Multiple · Pre-university (IB Diploma) · Fully Funded
This brief summarizes the opportunities shown on the UWC Apply page (official URL: https://www.uwc.org/apply), which—based on the source content—focuses on UWC Short Courses rather than the two-year International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The information below reflects what is explicitly stated on
Masters, Professional Development Certificate
1 verified award.
- Rotary Peace Fellowships
Rotary Peace Fellowships · United States · Masters, Professional Development Certificate · Fully Funded
The Rotary Peace Fellowships offer fully-funded opportunities for master's degrees and professional development certificates at Rotary Peace Centers worldwide, fostering global peace and development.
Short course / Professional
1 verified award.
- MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP)
Nuffic / Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Shiraka) · Netherlands · Short course / Professional · Fully Funded
The MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) offers scholarships to professionals for short courses in the Netherlands and facilitates tailor-made training for organizations in the Middle East and North Africa.
Faculty
1 verified award.
- African Women Leadership Fund
UN Women · Multiple · Faculty · Fully Funded
The African Women Leadership Fund (AWLF) is an initiative by UN Women to promote gender equality and women's empowerment across Africa. It aims to support women in leadership roles and contribute to sustainable development.
How this list is built
Transparency on our ranking, filters, and freshness guarantees.
Ranking signals
Every entry is scored on three signals: deadline urgency (awards closing sooner score higher), recency of editor verification (recently checked = higher), and the strength of the funding package. The 100 highest-scoring entries make the list.
Quality bar
Only scholarships that are verified or active by our editors, or were last checked within 180 days, are even considered. From that pool, we apply 11 automated checks — 101 candidates failed at least one check today.
- No positive Africa-relevance signal in copy56
- Parsed deadline is in the past38
- Verification status = expired9
- Deadline copy says closed / discontinued / ended4
- Title references a past cycle year3
Freshness
This page is rebuilt every time it loads. The underlying data is refreshed continuously as our editors verify scholarships at their official sources. You are seeing the result of 186 candidates evaluated just now.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions African applicants ask most about international scholarships.
What is the best international scholarship for African students in 2026?
There isn't a single best scholarship — the right one depends on your study level and destination. For master's, Chevening (UK), DAAD EPOS (Germany), Fulbright (US) and Australia Awards are the most competitive fully funded options. For undergraduates, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and MEXT Japan lead. For PhDs, Commonwealth, Vanier (Canada) and most European doctoral schools fund African applicants.
Are these scholarships fully funded?
Yes. Every scholarship in this top 100 is fully funded — covering tuition, a monthly living stipend, and in most cases international flights, health insurance and a settling-in allowance. Partial and tuition-only awards are excluded from this ranking.
How are the top 100 scholarships ranked?
We rank by three signals: how soon the application closes (open and upcoming deadlines score higher), how recently our editors re-verified the programme at its official source, and the strength of the funding package. The list rebuilds itself every time we re-verify a scholarship.
Which African countries are eligible?
Most of these scholarships are open to applicants from all 54 African countries, though a handful are restricted to specific nationalities (for example, Commonwealth awards require a Commonwealth country passport, and some bilateral awards specify country lists). Always check the official eligibility page linked from each scholarship.
When should I start applying?
Start 9–12 months before your intended start date. Most fully funded master's programmes close between August and November for the following academic year, and require IELTS or TOEFL scores, transcripts and 2–3 reference letters that take time to organise.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
Almost always, yes — unless you completed a previous degree taught entirely in English. Target IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall (with no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90–100 for most programmes; top-tier awards expect 7.5 / 105+.
How many scholarships should I apply to?
Apply to 4–6 in parallel. Fewer and you're relying on luck; many more and the quality of each application drops. Mix one or two reach awards (Chevening, Fulbright) with mid-tier programmes that match your profile.
Is this list updated?
Yes — this page is generated live from our verified scholarships catalogue. Whenever an editor re-verifies, adds or removes a programme, the ranking is recomputed. You are seeing today's top 100.
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