Fully funded scholarships remain one of the most powerful pathways for African students to study abroad without financial stress. These opportunities cover tuition, living expenses, travel costs, and often provide post study work pathways. This in depth guide lists the Top 15 Fully Funded Scholarships for Africans 2026 with clear eligibility rules, benefits, application steps, visa routes, and career outcomes. If you are serious about winning a scholarship in 2026, this guide is designed for you.
15 Fully Funded Scholarships for Africans 2026
Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious fully funded scholarship offered by the United Kingdom government for outstanding African students who wish to pursue a one year master’s degree in the UK. It is open to applicants from almost all African countries and supports study in a wide range of disciplines including public policy, international relations, business, law, health, engineering, media, and education. Chevening is strictly a postgraduate scholarship and is designed for future leaders with strong academic backgrounds and professional experience. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, provides a monthly living allowance, pays for return international flights, and includes additional grants for arrival and departure. Application deadlines vary each year but typically fall between August and November. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity for students from Commonwealth African countries to study in the United Kingdom. It supports master’s and doctoral degree programs that align with development focused fields such as climate change, health systems, agriculture, education, engineering, and governance. The scholarship is funded by the UK government and aims to empower students who can contribute to sustainable development in their home countries. It covers tuition fees, monthly living expenses, travel costs, and research grants where applicable. Eligible applicants must be citizens of Commonwealth nations in Africa, and application deadlines vary depending on the program and nominating agency. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
DAAD Scholarships
The DAAD Scholarship is one of the most popular fully funded scholarships for African students seeking to study in Germany. It supports both master’s and PhD programs across disciplines such as engineering, renewable energy, public health, economics, agriculture, and social sciences. DAAD scholarships are known for their strong focus on development related studies and professional capacity building. The scholarship provides a generous monthly stipend, tuition free education at public universities, health insurance coverage, and travel allowances. It is open to applicants from all African countries, with deadlines varying by program and university. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus is a fully funded European Union scholarship that allows African students to study in two or more European countries under a single joint master’s degree program. It covers a wide range of disciplines including data science, engineering, public policy, education, environmental studies, and social sciences. The scholarship is open to students from all African countries and provides full tuition coverage, monthly living allowance, travel grants, and installation costs. Erasmus Mundus is strictly for master’s degree programs, and application deadlines vary depending on the selected course consortium. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Swedish Institute Scholarship Scholarships
The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals is a fully funded scholarship offered by the government of Sweden for highly motivated African students. It supports full time master’s degree programs in Sweden across areas such as sustainability, technology, innovation, public health, and social development. The scholarship covers tuition fees, monthly living expenses, travel grants, and insurance. It is available to students from selected African countries and emphasizes leadership experience and professional background. Application deadlines vary but usually fall between January and February. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Turkiye Burslari Scholarships
Turkiye Burslari is a comprehensive fully funded scholarship provided by the Turkish government for African students at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. It supports studies in medicine, engineering, social sciences, humanities, Islamic studies, and natural sciences. The scholarship includes full tuition, free accommodation, monthly stipend, health insurance, Turkish language training, and return flight tickets. It is open to applicants from all African countries, and application deadlines typically vary between January and February each year. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships are fully funded opportunities offered by the Australian government to students from developing African countries. These scholarships focus on building leadership and professional skills in areas such as public policy, health, education, infrastructure, and environmental management. The scholarship supports master’s degree study and includes full tuition fees, living allowance, travel costs, health insurance, and pre course English training where required. Eligible African countries are selected annually, and application deadlines vary by region. Visit the Official application portal: HERE MIMISLOT
Chinese Government Scholarships
The Chinese Government Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship program for African students wishing to study in China at undergraduate, master’s, or PhD levels. It covers a wide range of disciplines including engineering, medicine, computer science, international relations, and business. The scholarship provides full tuition, free accommodation, monthly living stipend, medical insurance, and travel allowances. It is open to students from all African countries, with application deadlines varying depending on the Chinese university and embassy route. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Knight Hennessy Scholars
Knight Hennessy Scholars is a highly competitive fully funded scholarship hosted by Stanford University in the United States. It is open to exceptional African students pursuing graduate degrees across all disciplines offered at Stanford, including engineering, law, medicine, education, and business. The scholarship covers full tuition, living expenses, academic costs, and travel. It is designed for future global leaders with strong academic excellence and leadership potential. Application deadlines vary by graduate program. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Fulbright Scholarships
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a fully funded scholarship sponsored by the United States government for African students seeking master’s or PhD degrees in the USA. It supports studies in fields such as public health, education, science, technology, economics, and social sciences. The scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, travel costs, health insurance, and academic support. Fulbright is open to applicants from many African countries, with deadlines varying by country. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for outstanding African students admitted to the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. It supports master’s and PhD programs across all academic disciplines. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, living allowance, travel costs, and additional academic funding. It is highly competitive and focuses on academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to improving lives globally. Application deadlines vary depending on the course. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
MEXT Scholarships
The MEXT Scholarship is a fully funded program offered by the Japanese government for African students at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. It supports studies in engineering, sciences, social sciences, education, and technology related fields. The scholarship includes tuition fees, monthly stipend, accommodation support, and return airfare. It is open to students from many African countries, with deadlines varying by embassy and program type. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Korea Global Scholarships
The Korea Global Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity provided by the South Korean government for African students pursuing undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies. It covers disciplines such as IT, engineering, public policy, economics, science, and cultural studies. The scholarship provides full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, medical insurance, and language training. Eligible African countries are announced annually, and deadlines vary. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Maurice R Greenberg Scholarship
The Asian Development Bank Japan Scholarship Program, often associated with the Maurice R Greenberg framework, supports African students pursuing development focused master’s programs in Asia and selected countries. Fields include economics, infrastructure, environmental science, public policy, and development studies. The scholarship is fully funded, covering tuition, living allowance, travel, and health insurance. Eligibility and deadlines vary by partner university. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
African Union Scholarships
The African Union Scholarship is a fully funded program designed to strengthen higher education and research capacity within Africa. It supports postgraduate studies in priority areas such as science, technology, innovation, public health, agriculture, and governance. The scholarship covers tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and research support. It is open to citizens of African Union member states, with application deadlines varying each year. Visit the Official application portal: HERE
Eligibility for Application
Most fully funded scholarships require academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to development in Africa. Some demand work experience while others focus on research or community impact.
Required Documents Checklist
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- International passport
- Motivation letter
- Reference letters
- CV or Resume
Scholarship Application Formatting
Ensure documents are clear, properly named, and uploaded in the correct format. Follow word limits strictly.
Step by Step Application Process
- Choose eligible scholarship
- Prepare documents
- Submit online application
- Attend interview if shortlisted
- Accept offer and begin visa process
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing deadlines
- Generic motivation letters
- Weak reference letters
Tips for Winning Essay
Focus on impact, leadership, and how the scholarship aligns with Africa development goals.
Visa Route After Winning
Winning candidates receive official admission and sponsorship letters used for student visa applications.
Work After Study Options
Most host countries allow post study work ranging from one to three years.
Possible Job Opportunities
Graduates find roles in engineering, health, policy, education, technology, and international development.
Conclusion
The Top 15 Fully Funded Scholarships for Africans 2026 provide life changing opportunities. Start early, prepare strong documents, and apply strategically to increase your chances of success.
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