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. The 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. Applications open on 20 August 2026 and close on 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT. Successful applicants will study for two years at participating universities in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship. What Does the EAC Scholarship 2026/2027 Cover? This is a substantial funding package for students who might otherwise struggle to finance postgraduate education abroad. Successful scholars can receive: Return economy-class air travel between their home and host countries. Full tuition fees paid directly to the host university. EUR 200 arrival allowance. EUR 380 monthly stipend for accommodation, meals, local transport and other living costs. EUR 650 study-materials allowance. EUR 1,500 study and research allowance. Medical insurance for the scholarship period. Visa or entry-fee support where applicable. Participation in at least one extracurricular 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. Who Can Apply? The EAC Scholarship Programme is open to nationals of the following eight EAC Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Applicants must be below 35 years of age at the time of application and must apply to study in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship. Candidates must also hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or an equivalent qualification and must have applied for admission to an eligible Master’s programme at a participating university. The programme particularly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities and applicants from other disadvantaged backgrounds, with a target of at least 50% female participation among scholarship beneficiaries. Which Master’s Programmes Are Available? The scholarship focuses on disciplines considered important for scientific, technological, economic and regional development. Thematic areas include: Mathematics Engineering Informatics Science Technology Business Science The approved programmes cover a broad range of postgraduate fields. Examples include Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Computing and Information Systems, Environmental Technology, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Development Finance, Human Resource Management and Supply Chain Management. Participating institutions include universities in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, among others listed in the official programme catalogue. Why This Scholarship Is More Than Tuition Funding The EAC Scholarship Programme is structured not only to finance postgraduate education but also to develop future regional leaders. The programme was launched in 2018 and its first phase supported 180 Master’s students across the EAC. Phase II began in October 2025 and is expected to support at least 280 students across three cohorts. Beyond financial assistance, scholars receive opportunities related to leadership development, mentoring, networking and regional integration. This means successful applicants can potentially graduate with more than a Master’s qualification: they can gain regional exposure and connections that support long-term professional development. How to Apply for the EAC Scholarship Applicants must complete two separate stages. Step 1: Apply for University Admission First, applicants should review the eligible programmes, select their preferred university and programme, and follow the university’s admission procedure. Applicants should indicate their intention to apply for the EAC Scholarship Programme and pay any applicable university application fee. Step 2: Submit the EAC Scholarship Application After applying for university admission, applicants must complete the separate online EAC Scholarship application. The scholarship application form opens on 20 August 2026. Applicants must then compile the required supporting documents into a single folder, follow the prescribed naming conventions, compress the documents into a single ZIP folder and submit them by email as instructed in the call. Important: Applying to a university does not automatically mean that an applicant has applied for the scholarship. Both processes must be completed separately. Documents Applicants Should Prepare Applicants should begin preparing their documentation early because incomplete applications will not be considered. The supporting-document checklist includes items such as: National ID or passport Recent passport photograph Proof of university admission application Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript Curriculum Vitae Academic reference letter Professional reference letter Bank statements, where applicable Professional membership certificates, where applicable Evidence of awards, publications, research, fellowships or certifications Leadership and volunteer certificates Evidence of financial hardship or other relevant circumstances, where applicable. Applicants should ensure that mandatory documents are complete, properly certified where required and submitted in the requested format. Key EAC Scholarship 2026 Dates The application window is relatively short, so prospective applicants should plan ahead. Opening date: 20 August 2026Application period: 20 August–10 September 2026Deadline: 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EATVirtual information session: 28 August 2026Expected communication of successful students: December 2026 A virtual pre-application information session is scheduled for 28 August 2026 at 11:00 AM East Africa Time, giving prospective applicants an opportunity to seek clarification about the call and application requirements. Don’t Wait Until the Deadline For students searching for fully funded scholarships in East Africa, Master’s scholarships for African students, or international postgraduate scholarships 2026, this programme offers an opportunity to pursue postgraduate education within the EAC region with significant financial support. However, applicants should not wait until September to begin. University admission may itself require time, and the scholarship requires a separate application with supporting documents. Interested candidates should first identify an eligible programme and participating university, review the admission requirements, prepare their documents and then complete the scholarship application when the application portal opens. Apply for the EAC Scholarship The official call states that the online application form will open on 20 August 2026. Applicants should carefully follow IUCEA’s official instructions and ensure that every required stage is completed before the deadline. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. Applicants should independently verify eligibility criteria, funding conditions, chapter-specific requirements and application procedures through the official website before applying. JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW