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Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS

The Ibrahim Scholarships support aspiring African leaders at a number of distinguished academic institutions. The scholarships develop the talent of outstanding young Africans in selected disciplines.

Provider
Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Host country
United Kingdom
Deadline
Annual (typically May)
Region
Europe
Official source Track this application

Topics

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
The scholarships listed below are the only ones we currently offer and are for African nationals only. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship supports one Academy fellow each year from any African country.
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
Masters
Deadline
Annual (typically May)

Key eligibility criteria

  • The scholarships listed below are the only ones we currently offer and are for African nationals only. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship supports one Academy fellow each year from any African country.

Recorded funding information

  • Fully Funded

About the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS (2026)

# Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships: Nurturing African Leadership The Mo Ibrahim Foundation offers prestigious scholarships designed to cultivate the next generation of African leaders. These fully funded opportunities support outstanding young Africans in selected master's disciplines at distinguished academic institutions. This brief outlines the key aspects of the Ibrahim Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, application process, and important dates, to guide prospective applicants. ## Overview The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is dedicated to supporting aspiring African leaders by providing scholarships at renowned academic institutions. These scholarships specifically target outstanding young Africans who are committed to contributing to the continent's development. The program aims to develop talent in critical disciplines, fostering individuals who will drive positive change and effective governance within Africa. Currently, the Foundation offers scholarships for specific programs at the University of Birmingham and Chatham House, with a strong emphasis on leadership and governance. ## Benefits The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships are fully funded, offering comprehensive support to successful applicants. For the MSc in Governance and State-Building at the University of Birmingham, the scholarship covers full tuition fees, a living allowance to support the scholar during their studies, and airfare to the UK. This two-year program also uniquely includes a six-month internship at the Foundation Secretariat, providing invaluable practical experience. The Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship provides a ten-month fellowship at Chatham House, supporting one Academy fellow each year from any African country, though the specific financial benefits beyond the fellowship itself are not detailed. ## Eligibility To be eligible for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships, applicants must be African nationals. The scholarships are exclusively for individuals from African countries, reinforcing the Foundation's commitment to developing leadership within the continent. While the general requirement is being an African national, specific eligibility criteria may vary depending on the chosen academic institution and program. For instance, the University of Birmingham scholarship focuses on an MSc in Governance and State-Building. Prospective applicants are strongly advised to review the specific requirements for each program of interest, as additional academic or professional qualifications may be necessary. ## Required Documents The official page does not explicitly list required documents for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships. However, given the nature of master's degree programs and prestigious fellowships, prospective applicants should typically prepare a comprehensive set of application materials. These commonly include academic transcripts, proof of English language proficiency, a detailed curriculum vitae (CV), letters of recommendation, and a personal statement or research proposal outlining their academic and career aspirations and how the scholarship aligns with their goals. Specific program applications (e.g., for the University of Birmingham or Chatham House) will detail the precise documentation required. ## How to Apply To apply for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships, applicants should directly contact the respective academic institutions for specific program application procedures. For the MSc in Governance and State-Building at the University of Birmingham, interested individuals should contact Debra Beard at d.l.beard@bham.ac.uk. For the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship at Chatham House, applicants should contact academy@chathamhouse.org or visit chathamhouse.org for detailed information on the fellowship. The application process will involve applying to the chosen academic program and concurrently, or subsequently, applying for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship as per the institution's guidelines. It is crucial to follow the instructions provided by each institution carefully. ## Key Dates The deadline for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships is annual, typically in May. However, this is a general guideline, and prospective applicants should always verify the exact deadline with the specific academic institution and program they are interested in. Application cycles for master's programs and fellowships can vary. Therefore, it is imperative to refer to the official websites or contact the provided email addresses for the University of Birmingham and Chatham House to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding application opening and closing dates, as well as any other important timelines related to the scholarship selection process. ## Selection Criteria While the official page does not explicitly detail the selection criteria, it emphasizes that the scholarships are for "outstanding young Africans" who are "aspiring African leaders" and "develop the talent of outstanding young Africans in selected disciplines." This suggests that candidates will be evaluated based on their academic excellence, leadership potential, commitment to public service or governance in Africa, and the relevance of their chosen field of study to the Foundation's objectives. Additionally, successful applicants will likely demonstrate a strong vision for contributing to the development and progress of the African continent. Performance during interviews, if conducted, will also be a key factor in the selection process. ## Tips * **Start Early:** Given the competitive nature of these scholarships, begin preparing your application well in advance of the deadline. * **Tailor Your Application:** Ensure your personal statement and any other application materials clearly demonstrate your understanding of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's mission and how your aspirations align with their goal of fostering African leadership. * **Highlight Leadership Potential:** Provide concrete examples of your leadership experience and your commitment to contributing to Africa's development. * **Academic Excellence:** Emphasize your academic achievements and how they prepare you for rigorous master's level study. * **Contact Institutions Directly:** For the most accurate and up-to-date information on application procedures, deadlines, and specific requirements, directly contact the University of Birmingham or Chatham House via the provided email addresses or websites. * **Proofread Thoroughly:** Ensure all application documents are free of errors and presented professionally. ## Official Source For the most current and authoritative information regarding the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships, please refer to the official website: [https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/scholarships](https://mo.ibراهيم.foundation/scholarships)

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Fully Funded

Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS eligibility

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

  • The scholarships listed below are the only ones we currently offer and are for African nationals only. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship supports one Academy fellow each year from any African country.

Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/scholarships to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: The scholarships listed below are the only ones we currently offer and are for African nationals only. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship supports one Academy fellow each year from any African country.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: Annual (typically May). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: Annual (typically May). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      Annual (typically May)

      Provider deadline information: Annual (typically May). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

    Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS?+

    The scholarships listed below are the only ones we currently offer and are for African nationals only. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship supports one Academy fellow each year from any African country.

    What funding does the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS offer?+

    Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: Annual (typically May). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/scholarships to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: The scholarships listed below are the only ones we currently offer and are for African nationals only. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship supports one Academy fellow each year from any African country.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Annual (typically May). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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