East African Community (EAC) Scholarship Programme 2026: Fully Funded Scholarship for East Africans

Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) Announces The Scholarship Program for the Tertiary Students from EAC Country Member.

The EAC Scholarship Programme (EACSP) is a regional initiative of the East African Community (EAC) and the Federal Republic of Germany. Implemented by the Inter-University Council for East Africa, the Programme seeks to develop future leaders who will contribute to regional integration and sustainable development by supporting students to pursue Master’s studies in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship. The Programme was launched in 2018 and has already supported 180 Master’s students from across the East African Community through its first Phase.

What Are the Important Details of the EAC Scholarship Programme 2026?

What Does the EAC Scholarship 2026 Cover?

The scholarship provides a comprehensive financial package to successful applicants.

• One return economy-class air ticket between the scholar’s home country and the host country upon commencement and completion of studies.
• Full tuition fees payable directly to the host university.
• Arrival allowance EUR 200 upon arrival in the study country and opening a bank account in that country (Where feasible, scholars are encouraged to open a EUR denominated bank account to facilitate the receipt of the allowance and reduce potential losses arising from currency exchange fluctuations and conversion charges).
• A monthly stipend of EUR 380 to cover accommodation, meals, local transport and other living expenses.
• A lump-sum allowance of EUR 650 for study materials
• A one-time EUR 1,500 study and research allowance.
• Medical insurance coverage for the duration of the scholarship.
• Visa/ Entry fee: Where payment of entry pass into the host country or student pass is required.
• Participation in at least one extracurricular event

Who Is Eligible for the EAC Scholarship Programme 2026?

• Be a citizen of any of the 8 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;
• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree, with a minimum of Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or equivalent qualification;
• Have applied for admission to an eligible Master’s programme offered by partner university;
• Submit a complete scholarship application within the stipulated application period. Applicants must submit supporting documents to indicate their satisfaction of the eligibility criteria as indicated in the list of supporting documents

Which Universities Offer Eligible Programmes ?

Kenya

Rwanda

Uganda

United Republic of Tanzania

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Only complete applications for eligible programmes, submitted before the deadline, in English and in accordance with the application guidelines, shall be considered.
• Applicants must complete both stages of the application process: Apply for admission to an eligible Master’s programme at a participating university, and submit a separate application for the EAC Scholarship Programme.
• Applicants must submit all mandatory supporting documents as specified in the Supporting Documents Checklist. Failure to do so will result in the application being deemed incomplete and ineligible for further consideration.
• Applicants applying for more than one programme must submit a separate complete application for each programme applied for.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• Providing false, misleading or incomplete information may result in automatic disqualification from the selection process or withdrawal of a scholarship award.
• IUCEA reserves the right to verify any information and supporting documentation submitted as part of the application process.
• Successful applicants may commence their studies at the earliest available intake, depending on the admission schedules and academic calendars of the respective host universities.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee the award of a scholarship.
• The scholarship opportunity cannot be deferred to a later time or transferred to another person. Failure to take up the opportunity at the time of the award will result in its termination.

What Are the  Important EAC Scholarship Dates?

What Documents Are Required for the EAC Scholarship Application?

Submit documents in PDF format and in a single zipped folder. Name each file using the format [Document Code] [Document Name], e.g., E01 National ID

• E01 – National ID or Passport
• E02 – Passport Photograph (recent, colour, full head and upper shoulders)
• E03 – Proof of University Admission Application (admission letter, acknowledgement email, receipt, or portal screenshot)
• E04 – Bachelor’s Degree Certificate and Transcript (certified true copies; if obtained outside the host country, must be equated by the relevant national authority before admission; if not in English, must include certified translations)
• E05 – Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• E06 – Bank Statements, last six months, where applicable
• E07 – Academic Reference Letter
• E08 – Professional Reference Letter

Optional documents, but required where they apply to your situation (used to evaluate specific parts of your application):

• E09 – Recent Payslip
• E10 – Professional Membership Certificate
• E11 – Payslips, last six months, where applicable
• E12 – Scholarship Award Letter, if your undergraduate studies were funded by a scholarship
• E13 – Photograph of Primary Residence
• E14 – Publication, Research Paper, Award, Fellowship, Certification, or Other Achievement Evidence
• E15 – Leadership Certificate
• E16 – Volunteer Certificate
• E17 – Evidence of Dependents (marriage or birth certificates, guardianship documents, school fee receipts)
• E18 – Medical Report, for applicants with a disability or chronic illness
• E19 – Refugee Identification or Registration Documents
• E20 – Displacement, Disaster, or Social Welfare Documentation
• E21 – Evidence of Loss of Livelihood (termination letter, closure notice, etc.)
• E22 – Tuition Arrears Statements, Fee Balance Statements, or Financial Aid Applications
• E23 – University Correspondence Demonstrating Financial Hardship
• E24 – Any other relevant documents, such as an English Language Proficiency Certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, where applicable)

What Is the EAC Scholarship 2026 Application Deadline?

The application deadline is 10 September 2026.

How Can You Apply for the EAC Scholarship Programme 2026?

The general process is:

1. Review the eligible Master’s programmes.
2. Select a suitable participating university.
3. Apply for admission to the selected Master’s programme.
4. Prepare the required scholarship documents.
5. Complete the EAC Scholarship application form.
6. Submit the application and supporting documents according to the application instructions.
7. Ensure the application is complete before the 10 September 2026 deadline.

The published instructions state that applicants applying for more than one programme must submit a separate complete application for each programme.

For the most reliable application instructions, applicants should follow the official IUCEA announcements and application portal rather than relying solely on third-party scholarship websites.

For more Information Concerning This Scholarship, Read the Application Guideline

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)