The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme (often referred to as the European Commission Intra-Africa Scholarship) is a fully funded programme co-supported by the European Union and the African Union. It enables African students, trainees, and staff to pursue higher education opportunities through mobility across top African universities.
This initiative promotes high-quality higher education in Africa, strengthens career prospects, fosters intercultural understanding, and supports sustainable development in line with EU external policies. It focuses on key areas such as agriculture, biodiversity, environment, climate change, digital transformation, engineering, ICT, and STEM-related fields.
Key Benefits of the Scholarship
Successful applicants receive comprehensive support, including:
- Full coverage of tuition and participation costs (registration fees)
- Monthly living allowance (stipend) and insurance
- Travel costs and visa expenses
- Contribution to research costs (where applicable)
- Additional support for candidates with disabilities
Mobility durations vary by project and type (e.g., short-term credit-seeking, full-degree programmes at Master’s or PhD level, or traineeships).
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify, you must generally:
- Be a national and resident of an African country.
- Be registered, admitted to, or hold a degree from a higher education institution in Africa.
- Apply for mobility (credit-seeking, degree-seeking, or traineeship) at a participating African university within a selected consortium/project.
- Meet the specific academic and admission requirements of the chosen programme and host institution.
Note: Eligibility can vary slightly by project/consortium. Some opportunities target specific target groups (e.g., students from partner institutions or other African countries).
Required Documents
Prepare these common documents (requirements may vary by project):
- Completed application form (from the consortium/project website)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Two recommendation letters
- Photocopy of passport photo page (or national ID if passport not available)
- Letter of motivation/statement of purpose
- Proof of admission or registration (where required)
- CV (in some cases)
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
Applications are not submitted through a single central portal but directly via specific consortia/projects selected by the EU. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official Intra-Africa Scholarships page on the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) website: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/intra-africa-scholarships_en
- Review the list of selected consortia/projects (filtered by year, country, theme, or university). These include ongoing projects from 2019, 2020, and 2023 selections, with some offering scholarships in 2025/2026.
- Choose a project/consortium that matches your field of study, level (Master’s, PhD, traineeship), and preferred universities.
- Visit the project’s dedicated website (links provided in the consortia list) to check:
- Available programmes and mobility options
- Specific eligibility criteria
- Application deadlines (these vary; some are open or upcoming in 2026, e.g., March or October deadlines noted in recent calls)
- Modes of application and required documents
- Submit your application directly through the project’s online portal or email instructions before the deadline.
- If you’re at a participating institution, contact your university’s International Relations Office for guidance.
- Watch the official video tutorial on the EACEA site for tips on preparing a strong application.
Important Note: Deadlines and opportunities are project-specific and time-sensitive. Check for current open calls (e.g., some projects like GENES II, MAINSTREAM, or TESIECS have had 2025/2026 intakes). Avoid any requests for application fees, the scheme is fully funded with no costs to applicants.
Why Apply?
This scheme offers a transformative academic experience within Africa, building skills for sustainable development while avoiding the need to study outside the continent. Explore the possibilities today and take the next step in your educational journey!