EAC Scholarships 2026: Fully Funded Two-Year Master’s Scholarships for EAC Students

Application Deadline: 10 September 2026 at 5:00 PM East African Time

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) invites suitably qualified nationals of the East African Community (EAC) to apply for Cohort 4 of the EAC Scholarship Programme, funded by the German Development Bank (KfW).

The scholarship supports students pursuing two-year Master’s degree programmes at participating universities in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.

Up to 120 scholarships are available under this cohort.

The programme focuses on academic disciplines that are important for regional development, including Mathematics, Engineering, Informatics, Science, Technology and Business Science.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be nationals of one of the following EAC Partner States:

  • Burundi

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Kenya

  • Rwanda

  • Somalia

  • South Sudan

  • Tanzania

  • Uganda

Rwandan students are eligible to apply, provided they meet all other requirements.

Scholarship Benefits

The EAC Scholarship Programme provides comprehensive financial support for successful scholars for the duration of their studies.

The scholarship package includes:

  • Full tuition fees, paid directly to the host university

  • Return economy-class air ticket between the scholar’s home country and host country at the beginning and completion of studies

  • EUR 200 arrival allowance

  • EUR 380 monthly stipend for accommodation, meals, local transport and other living expenses

  • EUR 650 study materials allowance

  • EUR 1,500 study and research allowance

  • Medical insurance for the duration of the scholarship

  • Visa/entry fees, where applicable

  • Participation in at least one extracurricular event

The scholarship is for a duration of two years.

Areas of Study

Eligible Master’s programmes fall under the following thematic areas:

  1. Mathematics

  2. Engineering

  3. Informatics

  4. Science

  5. Technology

  6. Business Science

Eligible Universities and Master's Programmes

Students can apply for approved Master’s programmes offered by participating universities in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.

Rwanda

Institut d'Enseignement Supérieur de Ruhengeri

  • Master of Arts in Microfinance

  • Master of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences

  • Master of Science in Software Engineering

  • Master of Science in Taxation

University of Rwanda

  • Master of Science in Electrical Power Systems Engineering

  • Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance

  • Master of Science in Health Supply Chain Management

  • Master of Science in IoT – Wireless Intelligence Sensor Networks

Kenya

Participating institutions include:

  • Chuka University

  • Daystar University

  • Dedan Kimathi University of Technology

  • Egerton University

  • Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science & Technology

  • Kabarak University

  • KCA University

  • Kibabii University

  • Murang'a University of Technology

  • Strathmore University

  • United States International University-Africa

Programmes include fields such as Mathematics, Biochemistry, Food Science, Civil Engineering, Data Science, Information Technology, Computing, Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Physics, Chemistry and Sustainable Energy.

Uganda

Participating universities include:

  • Busitema University

  • Mbarara University of Science & Technology

  • Nkumba University

Available programmes include Mathematics, Materials Engineering, Biology, Natural Resources Ecology, Conservation, and Information Systems and Technology.

Tanzania

Participating institutions include:

  • Dar es Salaam University College of Education

  • Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre

  • Sokoine University of Agriculture

  • The Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology

  • University of Dar es Salaam

  • University of Dodoma

Programmes include Environmental Biology, Industrial Chemistry, Statistics, Irrigation Engineering, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Technology, Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Manufacturing Engineering, Biodiversity Conservation, Digital Instructional Design and Public Health.

Important: Applicants should consult the official list of eligible programmes and universities before applying.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the EAC Scholarship Programme, applicants must:

  1. Be a citizen of one of the eight EAC Partner States.

  2. Be below 35 years of age at the time of application.

  3. Apply to study in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.

  4. Hold a Bachelor’s Degree with at least Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or an equivalent qualification.

  5. Have applied for admission to an eligible Master’s programme offered by a participating partner university.

  6. Submit a complete scholarship application within the stipulated application period.

Applicants must provide supporting documents proving that they meet the eligibility requirements.

Special Encouragement

Female applicants, persons with disabilities and applicants from other disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

The programme aims to achieve at least 50% female participation among scholarship beneficiaries.

How to Apply

The application process has two separate stages.

Part A: Apply for University Admission

Step 1: Review the eligible programmes and select your preferred Master’s programme and university.

Step 2: Visit the selected university’s website and review its admission requirements and application procedure.

Step 3: Apply for admission to the university and indicate your intention to apply for the EAC Scholarship Programme. Pay the university application fee where applicable.

Part B: Apply for the EAC Scholarship

After applying for university admission:

Step 4: Complete and submit the online EAC Scholarship Application Form.

Step 5: Review the Supporting Documents Checklist.

Step 6: Prepare all required supporting documents and name them according to the prescribed document codes.

Step 7: Convert the required documents to PDF, place them in a single ZIP folder and submit the folder by email to:

eacsp@iucea.org

and

scholarships@adroitconsultinternational.com

The email subject should follow the required format:

[Applicant Name] – Application for [Master's Programme] at [University] – Phase II EACSP

Important

Applying for admission to a university does not automatically mean that you have applied for the EAC Scholarship.

Applicants must complete the separate EAC Scholarship application and submit all required supporting documents.

Supporting Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents where applicable:

  • National ID or Passport

  • Recent passport photograph

  • Proof of university admission or application

  • Bachelor’s Degree Certificate

  • Bachelor’s Degree Academic Transcript

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  • Bank statements for the last six months

  • Academic Reference Letter

  • Professional Reference Letter

  • Recent payslip, where applicable

  • Professional Membership Certificate

  • Payslips for the last six months, where applicable

  • Previous Scholarship Award Letter, where applicable

  • Photograph of primary residence

  • Evidence of publications, research, awards, fellowships or other achievements

  • Leadership Certificate

  • Volunteer Certificate

  • Evidence of dependents, where applicable

  • Medical report for applicants with disabilities or chronic illness, where applicable

  • Refugee identification or registration documents, where applicable

  • Evidence of displacement, disaster or social welfare circumstances, where applicable

  • Evidence of loss of livelihood, where applicable

  • Tuition arrears or fee balance statements, where applicable

  • University correspondence demonstrating financial hardship

  • English language proficiency certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL, where applicable

All mandatory supporting documents must be submitted in PDF format in a single ZIP folder.

Applicants whose academic qualifications were obtained outside the host country may be required to have their qualifications equated by the relevant higher education authority in the host country.

Documents issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.

Can You Apply to More Than One Programme?

Yes.

Applicants may apply for more than one eligible Master’s programme and/or university.

However, each programme application is treated as a separate application.

For every programme applied for, the applicant must submit:

  • A separate online scholarship application form

  • A separate email submission

  • A complete set of supporting documents

Important Dates

Activity Date Call for Applications Opens 20 August 2026 Application Period 20 August – 10 September 2026 Virtual Information Session 28 August 2026 Application Deadline 10 September 2026, 5:00 PM EAT Successful Applicants Announced December 2026 Scholarship Acceptance & Agreements December 2026

Virtual Pre-Application Information Session

A virtual information session was scheduled for 28 August 2026 at 11:00 AM East Africa Time (Nairobi time) to provide applicants with clarification about the scholarship and application requirements.

Important Notes

  • Applications must be submitted in English.

  • Only applications for eligible programmes will be considered.

  • Applicants must complete both university admission and scholarship application processes.

  • Missing mandatory documents can make an application incomplete and ineligible.

  • Applying does not guarantee that a scholarship will be awarded.

  • Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

  • Providing false, misleading or incomplete information may result in disqualification.

  • The scholarship cannot be deferred to a later period or transferred to another person.

  • Successful scholars are expected to commence studies according to the academic calendar of their host university.

Application Deadline

10 September 2026 at 5:00 PM East African Time

If you are a qualified EAC national under 35 years old and want to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree in another EAC country, this is an opportunity worth applying for.

Rwandan students are eligible to apply.

Contact

For questions and support:

IUCEA
Email: eacsp@iucea.org

Adroit Consult International (ACI)
Email: scholarships@adroitconsultinternational.com

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