Table of Contents
The updated selection below highlights ten major international scholarship and fellowship programmes currently accepting applications for the 2027 academic cycle.
1. Arizona State University Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholarships
- Target: Young African professionals and students.
- Eligible Level: Undergraduate and Graduate.
- Host Institution: Arizona State University, United States.
- Deadline: September 27, 2026.
- Overview: This fully funded programme targets talented innovators from across Africa who want to pursue technology and innovation-focused disciplines, equipping them with leadership skills to drive digital transformation back home.
- Official Link: ASU Mastercard Foundation Application Portal
2. Nordic Africa Institute's Nordic Scholarship Programme
- Target: Early-career African researchers.
- Eligible Level: Post-doctoral and Doctoral research.
- Host Institution: Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Deadline: October 11, 2026.
- Overview: The Nordic Scholarship Programme supports African researchers by granting access to unique library resources, robust academic networks, and dedicated time to advance scholarly work on African political, social, and economic developments.
- Official Link: Nordic Africa Institute Official Portal
3. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (UK)
- Target: Citizens from developing Commonwealth countries, including African nations.
- Eligible Level: Full-time doctoral study.
- Host Institution: Universities across the United Kingdom.
- Deadline: October 20, 2026.
- Overview: Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, this prestigious scheme enables prospective researchers to contribute to international development priorities while pursuing world-class doctoral training.
- Official Link: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Application System
4. Commonwealth Master's Scholarships (UK)
- Target: High-achieving graduates from developing Commonwealth nations.
- Eligible Level: Full-time Master's degree.
- Host Institution: Participating UK universities.
- Deadline: October 20, 2026.
- Overview: Designed for individuals who possess the potential to spark change, the scholarship covers full tuition fees, airfare, and living stipends to support postgraduate education in the United Kingdom.
- Official Link: CSC Central Application Portal
5. CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program
- Target: Early-career researchers and academics.
- Eligible Level: Post-doctoral research fellowship (CDN $100,000 in funding).
- Host Institution: CIFAR, Canada.
- Deadline: November 4, 2026.
- Overview: This international program connects exceptional early-career investigators with global research networks, providing funding and mentorship to tackle fundamental scientific and social questions.
- Official Link: CIFAR Global Scholars Application Page
6. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
- Target: Doctoral candidates with outstanding academic records.
- Eligible Level: Ph.D. study ($60,000 per scholar annually).
- Host Institution: Universities in Canada.
- Deadline: October 2, 2026.
- Overview: This leadership-focused scholarship supports doctoral researchers whose work addresses public policy, human rights, responsible citizenship, and environmental protection.
- Official Link: Trudeau Foundation Application Portal
7. UNU-WIDER Visiting Scholars Programme
- Target: Ph.D. students and early-career researchers from developing regions.
- Eligible Level: Ph.D. research attachment (Fully funded to Helsinki, Finland).
- Host Institution: UNU-WIDER, Helsinki, Finland.
- Deadline: September 30, 2026.
- Overview: Selected scholars spend around three months at the UNU-WIDER institute in Finland, utilizing expert mentorship and institutional resources to finalize high-impact development economics research papers.
- Official Link: UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Page
8. University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Scholarships
- Target: Public health professionals and leaders from Africa.
- Eligible Level: Ph.D. / Doctor of Public Health.
- Host Institution: University of Toronto, Canada.
- Deadline: October 1, 2026.
- Overview: This targeted initiative supports public health practitioners who intend to return to the continent to strengthen healthcare delivery, build resilient systems, and combat systemic epidemiological risks.
- Official Link: University of Toronto Graduate Admissions Portal
9. University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS)
- Target: Early-career faculty members from African universities.
- Eligible Level: Research Fellowship (Fully funded).
- Host Institution: University of Michigan, United States.
- Deadline: October 15, 2026.
- Overview: UMAPS aims to foster capacity building by embedding African scholars within the University of Michigan community, granting them access to libraries, labs, and collaborative mentorship from senior faculty.
- Official Link: UMAPS Official Webpage
10. Chevening UK Government Scholarships Programme
- Target: Outstanding emerging leaders across diverse sectors.
- Eligible Level: Master's degree.
- Host Institution: Universities across the United Kingdom.
- Deadline: October 6, 2026.
- Overview: As the UK government's flagship global awards scheme, Chevening covers all expenses for dynamic professionals to build international networks and return home equipped to shape public policy and industry.
- Official Link: Official Chevening Application System
