Are you an African student looking for a fully funded master’s or doctoral scholarship opportunity within Africa? The INTRA-AFRICA PERI-ACE Academic Mobility Scheme 2026 offers African nationals an excellent opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies or academic mobility at leading African universities, with comprehensive financial support covering travel, visa fees, accommodation, living expenses, insurance, tuition, and other academic costs.
The scholarship is part of the Partners Enhancing Resilience through African Centres of Excellence (PERI-ACE) initiative, which promotes collaboration between African higher education institutions and supports academic mobility, research, and capacity building across the continent.
With 40 mobility opportunities available across master’s, doctoral, and traineeship categories, the program focuses strongly on climate resilience, sustainable development, and research. The application deadline is 17 September 2026.
INTRA-AFRICA PERI-ACE Academic Mobility Scholarship 2026
The INTRA-AFRICA PERI-ACE Academic Mobility Scheme provides scholarship opportunities for African students and trainees to study, conduct research, or undertake placements at participating institutions and partner organizations in other African countries.
The program is built around four major climate-related themes:
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Supporting adaptive and resilient farming systems in response to climate variability.
- Water Resource Management: Addressing challenges related to water access, quality, and sustainable management.
- Renewable Energy and Green Solutions: Promoting innovation in renewable energy and other solutions that strengthen climate resilience.
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Management: Improving preparedness and responses to climate-induced disasters.
The scheme brings together leading African institutions, including Stellenbosch University in South Africa, Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal, Ardhi University in Tanzania, 2iE in Burkina Faso, and Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique.
INTRA-AFRICA PERI-ACE Scholarship 2026 Summary
| Category | Details |
| Scholarship Name | INTRA-AFRICA PERI-ACE Academic Mobility Scheme |
| Host Region | Africa |
| Eligible Applicants | African Nationals |
| Study Levels | Master’s and Doctoral |
| Additional Opportunity | Traineeships |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded for Master’s and Doctoral Mobility |
| Master’s Duration | 2 Years |
| Doctoral Duration | 3 Years |
| Traineeship Duration | 5 Months |
| Master’s Monthly Allowance | €890 |
| Doctoral Monthly Allowance | €1,230 |
| Traineeship Monthly Allowance | €1,230 |
| Number of Opportunities | 40 |
| Application Opens | 11 August 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 17 September 2026 |
| Scholarship Commencement | 2 November 2026 |
| Host Institutions | Partner African Higher Education Institutions |
For more details, click here.
Is the INTRA-AFRICA PERI-ACE Scholarship Fully Funded?
Yes. The master’s and Doctoral scholarships are fully funded based on the benefits listed in the official call.
The scholarship provides a comprehensive financial package that includes airfare, visa fees, a monthly subsistence allowance, accommodation, insurance, academic expenses, tuition, research and fieldwork support, and other allowances.
For Master’s students, the scholarship provides a monthly subsistence allowance of €890 for up to two years.
For Doctoral students, the scholarship provides €1,230 per month for three years.
The traineeship category also provides substantial support, including travel, visa fees, subsistence allowance, accommodation and insurance for the five-month placement.
Therefore, applicants selected for the Master’s and Doctoral mobility categories can consider this a fully funded scholarship opportunity, subject to the specific terms and eligible expenses outlined by the program.
What Is the PERI-ACE Academic Mobility Scheme All About?
The Partners Enhancing Resilience through African Centres of Excellence (PERI-ACE) initiative was created to strengthen cooperation among African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The program promotes academic mobility across Africa while developing research and educational capacity around climate resilience.
Rather than requiring African students to travel outside the continent for postgraduate opportunities, the scheme supports mobility between African institutions. Students can therefore gain international academic exposure, research experience, and professional networks while studying at participating African universities.
The initiative is organized around climate-related research areas, making it particularly relevant to applicants interested in sustainability, agriculture, water resources, renewable energy and disaster management.
Participating African Partner Institutions
The PERI-ACE consortium includes six core African institutions:
Stellenbosch University – South Africa
Stellenbosch University serves as the lead institution and hosts the PERI-ACE secretariat.
Addis Ababa University – Ethiopia
Addis Ababa University is one of Ethiopia’s major higher education institutions and is one of the core partners in the consortium.
Cheikh Anta Diop University – Senegal
Cheikh Anta Diop University is a major Senegalese university and one of the partner institutions involved in the program.
Ardhi University – Tanzania
Ardhi University in Tanzania is another core African partner participating in the academic mobility scheme.
2iE – Burkina Faso
The International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) in Burkina Faso participates in the consortium, with French as one of its principal languages of instruction.
Eduardo Mondlane University – Mozambique
Eduardo Mondlane University is the participating institution in Mozambique and provides opportunities within the PERI-ACE academic mobility framework.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship call is open to African nationals who are also residents of an African country.
Applicants must meet the specific eligibility requirements for their chosen mobility category.
For Master’s and Doctoral Mobility
To qualify for master’s or doctoral mobility, applicants must:
- Be a national of an African country.
- Be a resident of an African country.
- Be registered in or admitted to a higher education institution established in Africa, or
- Have obtained a university degree from a higher education institution established in Africa.
- Meet the academic and other requirements of the selected host institution.
- Demonstrate academic merit and suitability for the program.
- Provide letters of recommendation as required.
- Demonstrate financial need where applicable.
The mobility may be undertaken for the entire duration of an academic program or, depending on the category, as a shorter-term academic mobility period.
Target Groups
Applicants for master’s and doctoral scholarships are divided into two target groups.
Target Group 1
This group includes applicants who are currently registered in, admitted to, or have obtained a degree from a core African institution within the PERI-ACE consortium.
Target Group 2
This group includes applicants who are registered in, admitted to, or have obtained a degree from another higher education institution established in an eligible African country that is not part of the PERI-ACE consortium.
This means applicants do not necessarily have to be studying at one of the six core partner universities to be considered for the master’s or doctoral mobility opportunities.
However, applicants must carefully review the official eligibility guidelines to determine whether their institution and academic circumstances qualify.
Who Can Apply for the Traineeship?
The traineeship category has a more specific eligibility requirement.
Applicants must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program at one of the PERI-ACE core African institutions.
Successful trainees will undertake placement periods with private or public organizations in a country different from their nationality and country of residence.
The traineeship mobility is expected to last five months.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants can receive significant financial support throughout their mobility period.
Master’s Scholarship Benefits
Master’s scholarship recipients receive support for up to 24 months.
The scholarship provides:
- €890 monthly subsistence allowance
- Round-trip or relevant airfare/travel support
- Visa fee support
- Accommodation through the subsistence package
- Settling-in allowance paid once upon arrival
- Female allowance paid annually
- Insurance
- Academic expenses
- Tuition and related academic costs
- Printing and other eligible academic expenses
- Research and fieldwork support
Doctoral Scholarship Benefits
Doctoral scholars receive support for up to 36 months.
The package includes:
- €1,230 monthly subsistence allowance
- Airfare/travel support
- Visa fee support
- Accommodation through the subsistence allowance
- One-time settling-in allowance upon arrival
- Annual female allowance
- Insurance
- Academic expenses
- Tuition and related academic expenses
- Printing costs
- Research and fieldwork support
Traineeship Benefits
Successful trainees receive support for a five-month placement, including:
- €1,230 monthly subsistence allowance
- Travel/airfare
- Visa fees
- Accommodation through the subsistence package
- Insurance
The traineeship does not have the same tuition and research funding package as the master’s and doctoral scholarships because it is designed as a professional placement rather than a full academic degree.
How Many Scholarships Are Available?
The PERI-ACE scheme has 40 mobility opportunities distributed across three categories:
- Master’s scholarships: including full-degree mobility of 24 months and credit-seeking mobility of 10 months.
- Doctoral scholarships: 36-month research programs aligned with regional climate priorities.
- Traineeships: five-month placements with associated partners, including ICPAC and AMCOW.
More information regarding the traineeship opportunities is expected to be provided in subsequent calls.
The program also makes provision for one special-needs scholarship to support a candidate with disabilities.
Available Academic Areas
The scholarship is particularly focused on academic and research activities connected to four climate and sustainability themes.
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
This area focuses on improving agricultural systems and strengthening the ability of farming communities to cope with climate variability.
Potentially relevant areas may include:
- Agricultural sciences
- Food security
- Sustainable agriculture
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Agricultural development
- Food systems
Water Resource Management
This theme addresses the challenges associated with water resources in a changing climate.
Relevant academic interests may include:
- Water resources
- Hydrology
- Environmental management
- Water quality
- Water engineering
- Sustainable water management
Renewable Energy and Green Solutions
This theme focuses on developing innovative solutions for renewable energy and climate resilience.
Relevant areas may include:
- Renewable energy
- Environmental engineering
- Energy systems
- Green technology
- Sustainable development
- Climate innovation
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
This theme focuses on improving preparedness and response to climate-related disasters.
Potential areas include:
- Disaster management
- Climate risk
- Emergency management
- Environmental risk management
- Disaster preparedness
- Community resilience
Applicants should ensure that their proposed study or research is aligned with the academic offerings and priorities of the selected host institution.
Language of Instruction
The language of instruction varies among the participating universities.
French is used at:
- 2iE
- Cheikh Anta Diop University
English is used at:
- Addis Ababa University
- Ardhi University
- Eduardo Mondlane University
- Stellenbosch University
Applicants should check the language requirements of their chosen university and academic program before applying.
University Admission and Scholarship Application
An important part of the application process is that applicants are advised to apply for university admission concurrently with the scholarship application.
Being interested in the scholarship alone is not sufficient. Applicants should carefully check the admission requirements and deadlines of their preferred host institution.
Stellenbosch University
Postgraduate applicants should apply through the university’s postgraduate admission system.
Admission deadline: 31 August 2026
Addis Ababa University
For university admission, applicants should contact: zeleke.agide@aau.edu.et
Applicants should obtain information about the relevant postgraduate program and admission process directly from the university.
Ardhi University
Postgraduate programs are available through the university’s postgraduate degree program information.
Admission deadline: 21 September 2026
Cheikh Anta Diop University
Foreign students can use the CAMPUSEN system for admission.
Admission deadline: 30 September 2026
2iE
Applicants should use the institution’s admission platform.
Admission deadline: 31 August 2026
Eduardo Mondlane University
Applicants should contact Karina Motani for information about available courses.
Applications are received throughout the year.
Important: University Admission Deadlines Are Different
Applicants should pay close attention to the fact that the PERI-ACE scholarship deadline is 17 September 2026, while individual universities may have earlier or later admission deadlines.
For example, Stellenbosch University and 2iE have an admission deadline of 31 August 2026, which is earlier than the scholarship deadline.
Therefore, applicants interested in these institutions should not wait until September to begin the admission process.
Application Timeline
The official timeline for the 2026 PERI-ACE scholarship is as follows:
11 August – 17 September 2026: Call for applications.
16 September – 16 October 2026: Shortlisting and selection period.
23 October 2026: Selection meeting.
26 – 28 October 2026: Successful and unsuccessful applicants are informed of the outcome.
2 November 2026: Scholarship commencement period.
Required Documents
Applicants should carefully read the official application guidelines and prepare the documents required for their particular academic and mobility category.
Applicants should generally be prepared to provide documents demonstrating:
- Academic qualifications
- University admission or registration
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of nationality and residence
- Letters of recommendation
- Evidence supporting their academic merit
- Evidence of financial need where applicable
- Study or research information
- Other supporting documents requested by the application form
Because document requirements may differ according to the mobility category and host university, applicants should follow the official application guidelines rather than relying on a generic scholarship document checklist.
How to Apply for the INTRA-AFRICA PERI-ACE Scholarship 2026
Follow these steps to apply:
Step 1: Choose Your Study or Mobility Option
Determine whether you are applying for:
- A master’s full-degree mobility
- A master’s credit-seeking mobility
- A doctoral mobility opportunity
- A traineeship
Make sure you satisfy the eligibility requirements for your chosen category.
Step 2: Select a Suitable Partner University
Review the academic programs offered by the participating institutions and identify a program that matches your academic background and career objectives.
Step 3: Apply for University Admission
Applicants are advised to apply for admission to their chosen university at the same time as they submit the scholarship application.
Pay particular attention to university-specific admission deadlines.
Step 4: Prepare Your Scholarship Documents
Gather your academic documents, recommendation letters, and other supporting materials required by the scholarship application.
Your proposed academic or research direction should also demonstrate a clear connection to the PERI-ACE climate and sustainability priorities where applicable.
Step 5: Complete the Online Scholarship Application
Submit the appropriate online application form.
The scholarship application is primarily submitted online, although other application methods may be considered in exceptional cases.
Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline
The main scholarship application deadline is: 17 September 2026
Do not wait until the final day to submit your application, especially if you also need to complete a separate university admission application.
Online Application Forms
Applicants can access the appropriate PERI-ACE application forms below:
Master’s Degree-Seeking Application Form:
https://redcap.sun.ac.za/surveys/?s=KCP98YPCTXPJYAHW
Master’s Credit-Seeking Application Form:
https://redcap.sun.ac.za/surveys/?s=KCP98YPCTXPJYAHW
Doctoral Application Form:
https://redcap.sun.ac.za/surveys/?s=JTNM9H379PRFCARF
Applicants should select the form corresponding to their intended mobility category and carefully follow the instructions provided.
How Competitive Is the Scholarship?
The PERI-ACE scholarship is expected to be competitive because the number of available mobility opportunities is limited.
The selection process considers factors including:
- Academic merit
- Financial need
- Letters of recommendation
- Eligibility for the selected mobility category
- Suitability for the proposed academic or research program
- Alignment with the objectives of the PERI-ACE initiative
Applicants should therefore avoid submitting a generic application.
A strong application should clearly demonstrate why the selected program is relevant to the applicant’s academic background, professional goals, and contribution to climate resilience and sustainable development in Africa.
Why Apply for the PERI-ACE Scholarship?
Fully Funded Postgraduate Study
For master’s and doctoral mobility, the scholarship covers a broad range of costs, including tuition, travel, visa fees, insurance, accommodation-related living support, academic expenses, and research costs.
Study Within Africa
The program provides an opportunity to gain international academic exposure without necessarily leaving the African continent.
Study at Leading African Universities
Successful applicants can benefit from academic environments at established African universities across different regions of the continent.
Research and Climate-Focused Education
The scholarship is particularly valuable for applicants interested in climate change, environmental sustainability, renewable energy, agriculture, water resources, and disaster risk management.
International Academic Exposure
Students can gain experience in a different African country, interact with researchers and students from different backgrounds, and develop professional networks across the continent.
Financial Support
The monthly subsistence allowances of €890 for master’s students and €1,230 for doctoral students provide significant support throughout the scholarship period.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
Before applying, applicants should keep the following points in mind:
- You must be an African national and resident: The call is specifically designed for African nationals who are residents in an African country.
- University admission is separate from the scholarship application: Applicants should apply for admission to their selected institution while completing the scholarship application.
- University deadlines vary: Some university admission deadlines occur before the 17 September scholarship deadline.
- Check your academic eligibility carefully: Applicants must meet the requirements for their selected degree and host institution.
- Your research or study area matters: The program is centered on climate resilience and its four priority themes.
- The scholarship is competitive: Academic merit, financial need, and recommendations are among the factors considered.
- Do not wait until the scholarship deadline: Applicants requiring university admission should begin that process as early as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the INTRA-AFRICA PERI-ACE Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The master’s and doctoral mobility scholarships are fully funded, with support covering travel, visa fees, subsistence, accommodation, insurance, tuition, and other eligible academic and research expenses. Traineeships also receive substantial financial support, although they are not degree programs.
How much is the monthly stipend?
Master’s scholars receive €890 per month, while doctoral scholars receive €1,230 per month. Trainees also receive €1,230 per month during the five-month placement.
How long is the master’s scholarship?
The full-degree master’s mobility scholarship lasts 24 months, while the scheme also includes a 10-month credit-seeking mobility option.
How long is the doctoral scholarship?
The doctoral mobility scholarship lasts 36 months.
Who is eligible to apply?
The scholarship is open to African nationals who are residents in an African country and who meet the academic and mobility requirements.
Do I have to study at one of the six core universities already?
Not necessarily for master’s and doctoral mobility. The scheme includes Target Group 1, consisting of students connected to core PERI-ACE institutions, and Target Group 2, consisting of students from other eligible African higher education institutions.
However, traineeship applicants must be enrolled at one of the PERI-ACE core institutions.
What fields does the scholarship support?
The program focuses on four main climate-related themes:
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
- Water Resource Management
- Renewable Energy and Green Solutions
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
When is the scholarship deadline?
The main application deadline is 17 September 2026.
When does the scholarship begin?
The scholarship commencement period is scheduled for 2 November 2026.
Can I apply for university admission after applying for the scholarship?
Applicants are advised to apply for university admission concurrently with the scholarship application. Because some university admission deadlines are earlier than the scholarship deadline, applicants should begin the admission process as soon as possible.
Is there an opportunity for applicants with disabilities?
Yes. Provision has been made for one special-needs scholarship to support a candidate with disabilities.
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