KfW EAC Master's Scholarships 2026/2027: Up to 120 Fully Funded Opportunities in East Africa

KfW EAC Master's Scholarships

KfW EAC Master's Scholarships 2026/2027: 120 Fully Funded Places in East Africa 🌍

📅 Applications: 20 August – 10 September 2026 (17:00 EAT)

⚠️ Eligibility note: this programme is open only to nationals of the eight EAC Partner States listed below. Cameroon is not an EAC member and is therefore not eligible. If you are applying from Cameroon or Central Africa, see our fully funded scholarships open to all African students instead.

Apply for the KfW EAC Master's Scholarships 2026/2027, offering up to 120 fully funded postgraduate opportunities across East Africa. Administered by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), this Cohort 4 scholarship supports nationals of eight EAC Partner States. The comprehensive funding package covers full tuition, EUR 380 monthly stipend, return air travel, EUR 200 arrival allowance, EUR 650 study materials, EUR 1,500 research allowance, medical insurance and visa support.

Students study for two years in an EAC country other than their own, gaining leadership development, mentoring and regional networking. Applicants must be under 35 with a Second Class Upper Bachelor's degree. Fields include Data Science, AI, Cyber Security, Engineering, Mathematics and Business Science. At least 50% female participation is targeted.

🌍 KfW EAC Master's Scholarships — Cohort 4

Up to 120 scholarships • 2 years • Fully funded

📑 Table of Contents

• Overview
• About the EAC Scholarship Programme
• 💰 What the scholarship covers
• Eligibility requirements
• Other fully funded scholarship opportunities
• 🎯 How to apply
• Key dates
• Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

Criteria	Details
Scholarship	KfW EAC Master's Scholarship Programme (Cohort 4)
Administered by	Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)
Funded by	KfW (German Development Bank)
Number of Scholarships	Up to 120
Level	Master's degree
Duration	2 years
Eligible Countries	8 EAC Partner States
Age Limit	Under 35 years
Opening Date	20 August 2026
Deadline	10 September 2026 (17:00 EAT)
Results	December 2026

About the EAC Scholarship Programme

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) has announced Cohort 4 of the KfW-funded EAC Scholarship Programme, offering up to 120 funded Master's scholarships to eligible nationals of eight East African Community (EAC) Partner States.

This opportunity is designed for talented young graduates seeking postgraduate study in another EAC country while gaining access to financial support, leadership development, mentoring and regional networking opportunities.

What the Scholarship Covers

This is a substantial funding package for students who might otherwise struggle to finance postgraduate education abroad.

EUR 380 / month

Plus full tuition, travel, EUR 1,500 research allowance and insurance

Benefit	Details
✈️ Air Travel	Return economy-class flights between home and host countries
🎓 Tuition	Full tuition fees paid directly to the host university
💶 Arrival Allowance	EUR 200 one-time payment
💰 Monthly Stipend	EUR 380 for accommodation, meals, transport and living costs
📚 Study Materials	EUR 650 allowance
🔬 Research Allowance	EUR 1,500 study and research support
🏥 Medical Insurance	Coverage for the entire scholarship period
🛂 Visa Support	Entry-fee support where applicable
🌍 Extracurricular	Participation in at least one event

For applicants searching for fully funded Master's scholarships in Africa, the combination of tuition coverage, living support, travel, research funding and insurance makes this opportunity particularly valuable.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Countries

The EAC Scholarship Programme is open to nationals of the following eight EAC Partner States:

🇧🇮 Burundi 🇨🇩 DR Congo 🇰🇪 Kenya 🇷🇼 Rwanda 🇸🇴 Somalia 🇸🇸 South Sudan 🇹🇿 Tanzania 🇺🇬 Uganda

Key Requirements

Requirement	Details
Age	Below 35 years at time of application
Study Location	Must study in an EAC state OTHER than country of citizenship
Academic Qualification	Bachelor's degree with Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or equivalent
Admission	Must have applied for admission to an eligible Master's programme

Priority Groups

The programme particularly encourages applications from:

🤝 Inclusion and diversity

• 👩 Women (target of at least 50% female participation)
• ♿ Persons with disabilities
• 🤝 Applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds

Other Fully Funded Scholarship Opportunities

While the EAC Scholarship offers excellent opportunities within East Africa, students exploring international options should also consider these prestigious fully funded scholarships:

Study in the Middle East

For those interested in the Gulf region, explore the Fully Funded Doha Institute Scholarships in Qatar, offering comprehensive funding for postgraduate studies in the social sciences and humanities.

Study in North America

Students aiming for Canadian education should consider the University of British Columbia Scholarships, providing opportunities at one of Canada's top-ranked universities.

Study at Oxford

For those seeking world-class education in the UK, the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Scholarships at Oxford offer fully funded opportunities specifically designed for African students at the prestigious University of Oxford.

How to Apply

Resource	URL
Apply for the EAC Scholarship	iucea.org

🎯 Apply on the IUCEA website

Key Dates

The application window is relatively short, so plan ahead.

Event	Date
Opening Date	20 August 2026
Application Period	20 August – 10 September 2026
Virtual Info Session	28 August 2026 (11:00 AM EAT)
Deadline	10 September 2026 (17:00 EAT)
Results Communication	December 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for the KfW EAC Master's Scholarships?

Applications open on 20 August 2026 and close on 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT. A virtual info session is scheduled for 28 August 2026 at 11:00 AM EAT, and results are communicated in December 2026.

Which countries are eligible?

Nationals of the eight EAC Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Can I study in my own country?

No. Scholars must study in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.

What does the scholarship cover?

Full tuition, a EUR 380 monthly stipend, return economy flights, a EUR 200 arrival allowance, EUR 650 for study materials, a EUR 1,500 research allowance, medical insurance, visa support and participation in at least one extracurricular event.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. Applicants must be below 35 years at the time of application.

What academic qualification is required?

A Bachelor's degree with Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or equivalent, and applicants must have already applied for admission to an eligible Master's programme.

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