The Mwalimu Nyerere Scholarship: Funding Intra-African Graduate and Research Studies

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

The African Union Commission sets strict entry parameters for the Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship Scheme. You must meet all academic and age requirements to qualify.

• Citizenship: You must hold citizenship of an African Union Member State.
• Academic Degree: You must possess a Bachelor's degree with Upper Second Class Honours for Master's programs, or a Master's degree for PhD programs.
• University Admission: You must secure admission to a full-time graduate program at a recognized university in an African Union Member State outside your home country.
• Age Limits: You must be under 35 years of age for Master's studies, or under 40 years of age for PhD studies.
• Service Commitment: You must sign a binding agreement to work in an African Union Member State for at least three years after graduation.

Financial Benefits and Funding Package

The program provides a comprehensive funding package to support your academic studies. The scholarship covers your direct educational costs and living expenses.

Required Application Documents

You must submit complete documentation to the online portal to ensure consideration. Incomplete files result in immediate rejection.

• Application Form: You must fill and submit the official application form from the African Union Commission .
• Academic Transcripts: You must provide certified copies of all previous university transcripts and certificates.
• National Passport: You must upload a copy of your valid national passport showing your citizenship.
• Admission Letter: You must upload your official admission letter from an eligible African university.
• Recommendation Letters: You must provide three reference letters, including two from previous university lecturers.
• Study Proposal: You must submit a detailed research or study proposal of three to five pages.
• Curriculum Vitae: You must include an updated CV detailing your academic history and achievements.

Timeline and Selection Process

The African Union Commission releases specific calls for applications throughout the academic year. You must adhere to the official schedule to secure your award.

Real-World Grounding and Program Changes

The African Union Commission introduced major shifts in its funding priorities during the 2024 to 2025 academic cycles. The program now emphasizes special target groups to address educational gaps in Africa.

• Refugee Allocation: The 2024 scholarship call dedicated specific quotas to refugees and internally displaced persons in Africa.
• STEM Focus: The selection committee prioritized female applicants in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
• Selectivity: The program maintains high selectivity, awarding fewer than 100 scholarships across the continent annually.
• Tanzanian National Fund: The Bank of Tanzania also maintains its national Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Memorial Scholarship, awarding exactly 10 scholarships per year to Tanzanian students, as detailed on the Bank of Tanzania official portal .

Strategies for a Winning Application

You must submit an excellent proposal to stand out in the highly competitive selection process. The committee evaluates both academic merit and your long-term commitment to Africa.

• Align with AU Agenda 2063: Your study proposal must link directly to the development goals of the African Union Agenda 2063.
• Verify Host University Accreditation: You must choose a top-ranked, accredited university in an eligible African Union Member State.
• Secure Strong References: Your academic referees must highlight your research potential and leadership skills.
• Proofread All Files: You must eliminate grammatical errors and formatting mistakes before clicking the submit button.