Scholarship Programme for Early-Career African Researchers

Coimbra Group Universities have been providing, since 2008, early-career researchers from universities in Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to spend a short period (generally 1 to 3 months) at a Coimbra Group University to carry out part of their research there.

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

Full call for applications, including eligibility criteria and list of participating universities 2026

Eligible countries: all African countries except Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia (applicants from these countries are eligible under the Scholarship Programme for Young Researchers from the European Neighbourhood).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE APPLYING:
1 – Applicants should provide the name and contact details of an academic supervisor at the receiving Coimbra Group University who will supervise their work during their stay abroad. If you do not have any contacts, we suggest you visit the website of your chosen institution or get in touch with the contact person at the selected host institution whose email address is indicated in the call for applications. The Coimbra Group Office is not in the position to provide assistance in this matter.
2 – All applicants are requested to provide a letter/e-mail of acceptance (to be submitted together with your application) written by the academic supervisor from the host university where they would like to carry out the proposed work plan. The letter should state that the supervisor is willing to work with the applicant in case they obtain a Coimbra Group Scholarship.
3 – Applicants can select only one institution. Multiple applications from the same candidate will be rejected.
4 – Please fill in your application form only when you have all the data available (i.e. the name of and letter of acceptance from the supervisor at the Coimbra Group University, etc.). Incomplete applications will be rejected, no exceptions will be made.
5 – Research visits will take place during the 2026/2027 academic year. The exact dates and structure of the visit must be agreed upon directly between the applicant and the academic supervisor at the Coimbra Group host university.

Overview 2015-2025

Number of grants awarded & applications received

Africa20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Universities1113111212141514171819
Grants awarded1920172123322934303631
Eligible applications949173130172190172214286197141

Read the 2025 report here.