EAC KfW Funded Masters Scholarships 2026/2027 – Cohort 4

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) has announced the fourth cohort of the KfW-funded EAC Scholarship Programme (EACSP), offering two-year funded Master's scholarships to qualified nationals of the East African Community (EAC). The programme provides an opportunity for talented students to pursue postgraduate studies in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.

Up to 120 scholarships are available under Cohort 4 for the 2026/2027 intake. Applicants from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda can apply for approved Master's programmes in Mathematics, Engineering, Informatics, Science, Technology and Business Science. The application window opens on 20 August 2026 and closes on 10 September 2026 at 17:00 East African Time.

EAC KfW Scholarship 2026/2027 Overview

• Scholarship: EAC KfW-funded Master's Scholarships
• Cohort: Cohort 4
• Number of scholarships: Up to 120
• Duration: Two years
• Opening date: 20 August 2026
• Closing date: 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT
• Eligible applicants: Nationals of EAC Partner States
• Age limit: Below 35 years
• Study location: An EAC Partner State other than the applicant's country of citizenship
• Application language: English
• Implementing institution: Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)
• Funding partner: KfW on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany

Scholarship Benefits

The EAC KfW scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for successful Master's students. The scholarship package includes:

• One return economy-class air ticket between the scholar's home country and host country at the beginning and completion of studies.
• Full tuition fees paid directly to the host university.
• EUR 200 arrival allowance upon arrival in the host country and opening of a bank account.
• Monthly stipend of EUR 380 to cover accommodation, meals, local transportation and other living expenses.
• EUR 650 lump-sum allowance for study materials.
• One-time EUR 1,500 study and research allowance.
• Medical insurance for the duration of the scholarship.
• Visa or entry fees where an entry pass or student pass is required.
• Participation in at least one extracurricular event.
• Leadership development, mentoring, networking and regional integration opportunities.

Eligible EAC Countries

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

• Burundi
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Kenya
• Rwanda
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• United Republic of Tanzania
• Uganda

Applicants must study in an EAC Partner State that is different from their country of citizenship.

Eligible Fields of Study

The EAC KfW scholarship supports approved Master's programmes in the following thematic areas:

• Mathematics
• Engineering
• Informatics
• Science
• Technology
• Business Science

Eligible Master's Programmes and Universities

Applicants can apply for approved programmes offered by participating universities in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.

Some of the available programmes include:

• MSc in Applied Mathematics – Chuka University, Kenya
• MSc in Biochemistry – Chuka University, Kenya
• MSc in Botany – Microbiology and Biotechnology – Chuka University, Kenya
• MSc in Botany – Plant Pathology – Chuka University, Kenya
• MSc in Economics – Daystar University, Kenya
• MSc in Food Science and Technology – Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya
• MSc in Civil Engineering – Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya
• MSc in Animal Nutrition – Egerton University, Kenya
• MSc in Food Science – Egerton University, Kenya
• MSc in Agricultural Extension – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
• MSc in Chemistry – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
• MSc in Microbiology – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
• MSc in Pure Mathematics – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
• MSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics – Kabarak University, Kenya
• MSc in Physics – Kabarak University, Kenya
• MSc in Data Science – KCA University, Kenya
• MSc in Development Finance – KCA University, Kenya
• Master of Business Administration – Kibabii University, Kenya
• MSc in Human Resource Management – Kibabii University, Kenya
• MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management – Kibabii University, Kenya
• MSc in Physics – Kibabii University, Kenya
• MSc in Chemistry – Murang'a University of Technology, Kenya
• MSc in Information Technology – Murang'a University of Technology, Kenya
• MSc in Statistics – Murang'a University of Technology, Kenya
• Master of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering – Murang'a University of Technology, Kenya
• MSc in Computing and Information Systems – Strathmore University, Kenya
• MSc in Information Technology – Strathmore University, Kenya
• MSc in Sustainable Energy Transitions – Strathmore University, Kenya
• MA in Communication Studies – United States International University-Africa, Kenya
• Master of Information Systems – United States International University-Africa, Kenya
• MSc in Organisational Development and Management – United States International University-Africa, Kenya
• MA in Microfinance – Institut d'Enseignement Supérieur de Ruhengeri, Rwanda
• MSc in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences – Institut d'Enseignement Supérieur de Ruhengeri, Rwanda
• MSc in Software Engineering – Institut d'Enseignement Supérieur de Ruhengeri, Rwanda
• MSc in Taxation – Institut d'Enseignement Supérieur de Ruhengeri, Rwanda
• MSc in Electrical Power Systems – University of Rwanda
• MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance – University of Rwanda
• MSc in Health Supply Chain Management – University of Rwanda
• MSc in IoT – Wireless Intelligence Sensor Networks – University of Rwanda
• MSc in Industrial Mathematics – Busitema University, Uganda
• MSc in Materials Engineering – Busitema University, Uganda
• MSc in Biology (Microbiology and Parasitology) – Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda
• MSc in Biology (Natural Resources Ecology, Management and Conservation) – Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda
• MSc in Mathematics – Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda
• Master of Information Systems and Technology – Nkumba University, Uganda
• MSc in Environmental Biology – Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Tanzania
• MSc in Industrial Chemistry – Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Tanzania
• MSc with Education – Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Tanzania
• Master of Official Statistics – Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre, Tanzania
• MSc in Irrigation Engineering and Management – Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
• Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence – Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, Tanzania
• MSc in Environmental Technology and Innovation – Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, Tanzania
• MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management – Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, Tanzania
• MSc in Embedded and Mobile Systems (EMoS) – Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, Tanzania
• MSc in Chemistry – University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• MSc in Manufacturing Engineering – University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• MSc in Biodiversity Conservation and Management – University of Dodoma, Tanzania
• MSc in Digital Instructional Design – University of Dodoma, Tanzania
• MSc in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics – University of Dodoma, Tanzania
• MSc in Public Health – University of Dodoma, Tanzania

Applicants should review the official list of eligible programmes and confirm that their selected programme is approved under the EAC Scholarship Programme before applying.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the EAC KfW-funded Master's scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

• Be a citizen of one of the eight EAC Partner States.
• Be below 35 years of age at the time of application.
• Apply to study in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or an equivalent qualification.
• Apply for admission to an eligible Master's programme at a participating university.
• Submit a complete scholarship application within the stated application period.
• Submit all mandatory supporting documents required by the scholarship programme.
• Complete the application in English.

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. Applicants must complete both stages because applying for admission to a university alone does not constitute an application for the EAC Scholarship Programme.

Part A – Apply for University Admission:

• Review the eligible programmes and participating universities.
• Select a Master's programme and university in an EAC Partner State other than your country of citizenship.
• Visit the selected university's official website and check its admission requirements and application procedure.
• Apply for admission to the selected programme.
• Indicate your intention to apply for the EAC Scholarship Programme where required.
• Pay the university application fee if applicable.
• Obtain proof of your admission application, such as an admission letter, acknowledgement email, receipt or portal screenshot.

Part B – Apply for the EAC Scholarship:

• Complete the online EAC Scholarship Application Form.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE EAC SCHOLARSHIP

• Review the supporting documents checklist.
• Prepare all mandatory supporting documents.
• Save the documents in PDF format.
• Name each document according to the prescribed document codes.
• Compress the documents into one zipped folder.
• Send the zipped folder by email to both:
  • [email protected]
  • [email protected]
• Use the prescribed email subject format: [Applicant Name] – Application for [Master's Programme] at [University] – Phase II EACSP.
• Submit a separate online scholarship application and separate email with a complete set of documents for each Master's programme if applying to more than one programme.

Required Supporting Documents

Applicants must submit all mandatory documents in PDF format within a single zipped folder. Documents should be named using the prescribed document codes.

The required documents include:

• E01 – National ID or Passport.
• E02 – Recent passport photograph.
• E03 – Proof of university admission application.
• E04 – Bachelor's degree certificate and academic transcript.
• E05 – Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• E06 – Bank statements for the last six months, where applicable.
• E07 – Academic reference letter.
• E08 – Professional reference letter.
• E09 – Recent payslip, where applicable.
• E10 – Professional membership certificate.
• E11 – Payslips for the last six months, where applicable.
• E12 – Scholarship award letter if undergraduate studies were funded through a scholarship.
• E13 – Photograph of primary residence.
• E14 – Evidence of publications, research papers, awards, fellowships, certifications or other achievements.
• E15 – Leadership certificate.
• E16 – Volunteer certificate.
• E17 – Evidence of dependants, where applicable.
• E18 – Medical report for applicants with a disability or chronic illness, where applicable.
• E19 – Refugee identification or registration documents, where applicable.
• E20 – Displacement, disaster or social welfare documentation, where applicable.
• E21 – Evidence of loss of livelihood, where applicable.
• E22 – Tuition arrears, fee balance statements or financial aid applications, where applicable.
• E23 – University correspondence demonstrating financial hardship, where applicable.
• E24 – Any other relevant supporting documents, such as English language proficiency certificates where applicable.

Academic certificates and transcripts obtained outside the host country must be equated by the relevant national council, commission for higher education or another competent authority in the host country before admission.

Where academic documents are in a language other than English, applicants must provide the original documents together with English translations prepared by an accredited translation provider. Bachelor's degree certificates and academic transcripts must be certified true copies.

Important Application Conditions

Applicants should carefully observe the following conditions:

• Only complete applications for eligible programmes will be considered.
• Applications must be submitted in English.
• Applicants must complete both university admission and the separate EAC Scholarship application.
• All mandatory supporting documents must be submitted.
• Applicants applying for multiple programmes must submit a separate complete application for each programme.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• False, misleading or incomplete information may result in disqualification.
• IUCEA may verify information and supporting documents submitted by applicants.
• Successful applicants may begin studies at the earliest available intake depending on the academic calendar of the host university.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee a scholarship award.
• The scholarship cannot be deferred to a later period or transferred to another person.

EAC Scholarship Pre-Application Information Session

A virtual pre-application information session will be held on 28 August 2026 at 11:00 AM East Africa Time (Nairobi time).

The session will give prospective applicants an opportunity to seek clarification about the scholarship call and application requirements.

Applicants can register for the information session here:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION

Important Dates

• Call for applications opens: 20 August 2026.
• Student application period: 20 August to 10 September 2026.
• Virtual pre-application information session: 28 August 2026.
• Application deadline: 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT.
• Communication of successful students and host universities: December 2026.
• Acceptance of scholarship offers and signing of scholarship agreements: December 2026.
• Pre-travel and pre-award orientation: According to the programme schedule.
• Reporting and registration at host universities: According to the academic calendars of the respective universities.

Contact and Support

Applicants who require clarification or assistance with the scholarship application can contact:

• IUCEA: [email protected]
• Adroit Consult International: [email protected]

CHECK ALSO: SCHOLARSHIPS IN TANZANIA 2026

The EAC KfW-funded Master's Scholarship Programme offers an important opportunity for young professionals and graduates across East Africa to pursue postgraduate education outside their home countries while gaining regional exposure. With tuition, living support, travel, medical insurance and research-related costs covered, eligible applicants should carefully prepare both their university admission and scholarship applications before the 10 September 2026 deadline.