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

The Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme is now open for applications. Universities of the Coimbra Group offer short-term research visits (1-3 months maximum) to African early-career researchers from higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme aims to support these scholars in continuing research related to their work at their home institution while fostering academic and research collaborations with scientists and institutions based in Europe.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply under this scholarship programme and will be prioritised. The scholarships are generously funded by participating Coimbra Group member universities, while the Coimbra Group Office manages the application process

Participating universities

The following Coimbra Group universities are participating in the 2026 edition of this scholarship programme.

Please click on each university to see the specific scholarship conditions offered:

• Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi (Romania)
• University of Barcelona (Spain)
• University of Bergen (Norway)
• University of Coimbra (Portugal)
• University of Cologne (Germany)
• University of Granada (Spain)
• University of Graz (Austria)
• University of Groningen (The Netherlands)
• Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany)
• Heidelberg University (Germany)
• Istanbul University (Turkey)
• Jagiellonian University in Krakow (Poland)
• University of Padova (Italy)
• University of Pavia (Italy)
• University of Poitiers (France)
• University of Salamanca (Spain)
• University of Siena (Italy)
• University of Würzburg (Germany)

Applicants must carefully review the specific conditions for each participating Coimbra Group university.

Eligibility

Applicants must fulfil ALL of the following requirements:

• 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 will not be considered). Some host universities may restrict eligibility to applicants from specific Sub-Saharan African countries: applicants should consult the “Remarks” section of each university’s offer to confirm if their country is eligible.
• Be 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/email from a supervisor at the host university confirming their willingness to
• supervise the work programme during the research stay. This document is mandatory (see more
• information below).
• Apply through the Coimbra Group electronic application process.
• Submit only one application to a single university. Multiple applications will not be considered valid.
• Submit all information in English.

Application

Applicants must:

• Review the specific conditions for each participating Coimbra Group university.
• Identify and contact a research supervisor at the selected host university (e.g. via the university
• website or the indicated contact email address at the selected host institution). The Coimbra Group
• Office cannot assist in finding supervisors.
• Provide their supervisor’s name and contact details in the application form.
• Obtain a letter/email of acceptance from the supervisor confirming that the candidate has been
• accepted to carry out research under their supervision, explicitly stating their willingness to supervise
• the work of the candidate during the research stay.
• Upload the acceptance letter/email together with the application form.
• Applications without this proof of acceptance will not be considered. Applicants are not required to submit
• other documents at this stage, although host universities may request additional documentation later.

Click here to apply.

Deadline: May 10, 2026