OtherMixed

Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme 2026/2027 for early-career researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Last verified 12 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The Coimbra Group offers short-term research visits (1-3 months) for early-career researchers from Sub-Saharan African higher education institutions to foster academic and research collaborations with European scientists.

Host country: Multiple (European)
Deadline: Unspecified

Visit official site

Topics

About this scholarship

## Overview The Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme provides short-term research visits, lasting between 1 to 3 months, for early-career researchers from higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme’s primary goal is to enable these scholars to continue research relevant to their work at their home institutions while simultaneously building academic and research collaborations with scientists and institutions throughout Europe. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply and will receive prioritization. ## Eligibility Applicants must meet all the following criteria: * Be born on or after 1 January 1981. * Be nationals and current residents of a Sub-Saharan African country (candidates already living and/or studying in Europe are ineligible). Specific host universities may have further country restrictions; applicants should consult the "Remarks" section of each university's offer. * Be academic staff members of a university or equivalent higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa. * Preferably hold a doctoral/postdoctoral or equivalent academic status. * Obtain an acceptance letter/email from a supervisor at the chosen host university, confirming their willingness to supervise the applicant's work programme during the research stay. This document is mandatory. * Apply through the Coimbra Group electronic application process. * Submit only one application to a single university. Multiple applications will be rejected. * Submit all information in English. ## Benefits The scholarships are generously funded by participating Coimbra Group member universities. Specific benefits vary by host institution: * **Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi (Romania):** Free accommodation in a University guest residence + 1500 RON (approx. 300€) scholarship + reimbursement of travel expenses based on distance (ranging from 28€ for 0-99 km to 1735€ for over 8000 km). * **University of Barcelona (Spain):** 1.500€ per month (to cover accommodation and living expenses). Travel costs are not funded. * **University of Bergen (Norway):** 1800€/month + reimbursement for a return economy flight, up to a maximum of 1200€. * **University of Coimbra (Portugal):** 750€ per month + up to 1100€ travel support. * **University of Cologne (Germany):** 6.000€ total, which includes 1.500€ for travel and 3 monthly grants of 1.500€ each. * **University of Granada (Spain):** 800€/month + travel expenses up to 800€ will be reimbursed. ## How to apply 1. Identify a potential academic supervisor at a participating Coimbra Group University. Visit the university's website or contact the designated person for details. 2. Secure an acceptance letter/email from the academic supervisor at the host university. This letter must confirm the supervisor's willingness to work with the applicant if the scholarship is awarded. 3. Ensure all required documents and information, especially the acceptance letter, are ready before starting the application. 4. Complete the Coimbra Group electronic application form. Only one application to a single university is permitted. Incomplete or multiple applications will be rejected. 5. Research visits will occur during the 2026/2027 academic year. The exact dates and structure of the visit must be directly agreed upon between the applicant and the academic supervisor at the host university. **Note:** The registration form for 2026 applications is currently closed.

What's covered

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Accommodation
Return airfare

Eligibility criteria

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

- Born on or after 1 January 1981.
- Nationals and current residents of a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Academic staff members of a university or equivalent higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Preferably hold doctoral/postdoctoral or equivalent academic status.
- Obtain an acceptance letter from a supervisor at the host university.

Required documents

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.coimbra-group.eu/scholarships/sub-saharan-africa-grant-information/ and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.coimbra-group.eu/scholarships/sub-saharan-africa-grant-information/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, the sponsor will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Deadline timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme 2026/2027 for early-career researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa.?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Other level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by The sponsor, and be able to relocate to Multiple (European) for the duration of the programme.

Is the Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme 2026/2027 for early-career researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa. fully funded?+

Funding model: Mixed. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Unspecified. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.