EAC Two-Year Funded Master’s Scholarships 2026 for Rwandan and East African Students Deadline 10 September 2026
The East African Community Scholarship Programme, Cohort 4, offers up to 120 funded Master’s scholarships to eligible citizens of East African Community Partner States.
The programme is coordinated by the Inter-University Council for East Africa and supports students pursuing two-year Master’s degree programmes in selected universities across East Africa.
The scholarship supports academic fields including Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Informatics, and Business Science.
Rwandan citizens are eligible to apply, provided they meet the scholarship requirements and are admitted to an eligible Master’s programme in an EAC Partner State other than Rwanda.
EAC Scholarship Programme 2026
Scholarship Name: EAC Scholarship Programme Cohort 4
Degree Level: Master’s Degree
Duration: Two years
Number of Scholarships: Up to 120
Study Location: An EAC Partner State other than the applicant’s country of citizenship
Eligible Countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda
Age Requirement: Below 35 years
Application Deadline: 10 September 2026 at 5:00 PM EAT
Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Fields of Study
The EAC Scholarship Programme supports Master’s degree studies in selected academic disciplines.
Eligible fields include:
Engineering
Mathematics
Science
Technology
Informatics
Business Science
Applicants should check the list of participating universities and eligible programmes before applying.
Benefits of the EAC Scholarship
Successful applicants receive financial support covering major costs associated with their studies.
The scholarship benefits include:
Full tuition fees
Monthly living allowance of EUR 380
Return economy-class air ticket
Arrival allowance of EUR 200
Study materials allowance of EUR 650
Research allowance of EUR 1,500
Medical insurance
Eligible visa and entry fees
The scholarship is designed to support students throughout the two-year Master’s programme.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the EAC Scholarship Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements.
Applicants must be citizens of an EAC Partner State.
Eligible countries include Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Applicants must be below 35 years of age.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Upper Division, Distinction, or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants must apply for an eligible Master’s degree programme at a participating university located in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.
For example, a Rwandan applicant must study in an eligible EAC Partner State outside Rwanda.
Applicants must also meet the admission requirements of the selected university and Master’s programme.
Women, persons with disabilities, and applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.
Important Information for Rwandan Applicants
Rwanda is one of the eligible EAC Partner States under the scholarship programme.
However, Rwandan applicants cannot use the scholarship to study in Rwanda.
A Rwandan applicant must apply for an eligible Master’s programme at a participating university in another EAC Partner State, such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, subject to the participating institutions and available programmes.
Application Process
Applicants are required to complete both the university admission process and the EAC scholarship application.
First, identify an eligible Master’s programme at one of the participating universities.
Apply for admission to the selected university and Master’s programme.
Prepare the required academic and supporting documents.
Complete the separate EAC Scholarship application according to the instructions provided by the Inter-University Council for East Africa.
Submit the scholarship application and all required supporting documents before the deadline.
Applicants should ensure that both the university admission requirements and the EAC scholarship requirements are satisfied.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the EAC Scholarship Programme Cohort 4 is:
10 September 2026 at 5:00 PM East Africa Time
Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their university admission and scholarship applications before the deadline to avoid last-minute problems.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should first identify a participating university and an eligible two-year Master’s programme outside their country of citizenship.
Applicants should then apply for university admission and complete the separate EAC Scholarship application following the official IUCEA instructions.
All required documents should be submitted through the designated application channels before 10 September 2026 at 5:00 PM EAT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Rwandan citizens eligible for the EAC Scholarship?
Yes. Rwanda is one of the EAC Partner States whose citizens are eligible to apply, provided they meet all other requirements.
Can a Rwandan applicant study in Rwanda using this scholarship?
No. Applicants must study in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship. Therefore, Rwandan applicants must choose an eligible participating university outside Rwanda.
What degree does the scholarship support?
The scholarship supports two-year Master’s degree programmes.
What is the age limit?
Applicants must be below 35 years old.
What academic qualification is required?
Applicants should hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Upper Division, Distinction, or an equivalent qualification.
How many scholarships are available?
Up to 120 funded Master’s scholarships are available under Cohort 4.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 10 September 2026 at 5:00 PM East Africa Time.
Conclusion
The EAC Two-Year Funded Master’s Scholarships 2026 provide an important opportunity for young East African graduates to pursue postgraduate education within the East African region.
Rwandan citizens are eligible to apply, but they must pursue their studies in an eligible EAC Partner State outside Rwanda.
Eligible applicants should begin the university admission and scholarship application processes early and ensure that their complete applications are submitted before 10 September 2026 at 5:00 PM EAT.