Scholarships Abroad

Fully funded joint master's taught across 2-4 European universities. The EACEA catalogue is a directory, not an application, you pick a specific consortium and apply on that program's own site.

Requirements

Varies by consortium, there's no single EU-wide GPA or age rule, check each program's own eligibility page.

How to apply

Choose a joint master's from the EACEA catalogue, then apply directly through that program's own portal, not through EACEA itself.

Typical application season

Most consortia open applications October to January for entry the following academic year.

Interview, selection & admission

Entirely consortium-specific, there's no EU-wide interview process.

When you'd typically arrive

Typically September, varies by consortium.

Fully funded one-year UK master's in any subject for future leaders with real work experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, 2+ years of work experience, and a commitment to return to Kenya for 2 years after the award (the standard Chevening bond). No formal age limit.

How to apply

Fully online via the Chevening portal: four short essays (leadership & influence, networking, studying in the UK, career plan), plus two references submitted online by your referees after you apply.

Typical application season

Opens August, closes early November, for study beginning the following autumn.

Interview, selection & admission

Shortlist announced around February; interviews held March-May (roughly 30-45 minutes, competency-based, in person at the British High Commission Nairobi or virtual).

When you'd typically arrive

September/October in the UK.

Fully funded US master's study (PhD is not currently accepted through the Nairobi post), run through the US Embassy in Nairobi.

Requirements

Kenyan citizen with a valid passport; four years of university study equivalent to a US bachelor's; TOEFL/IELTS and GRE/GMAT depending on field; three references; official transcripts.

How to apply

Through the US Embassy Nairobi / EducationUSA Nairobi advising center, not a generic global portal.

Typical application season

Recurring annual window, roughly mid-January to mid/late April (the 2027-2028 cycle ran 19 Jan - 20 Apr 2026), about 20 months before the intake.

Interview, selection & admission

Reviewed through the Embassy/EducationUSA process; exact interview format is not publicly detailed.

When you'd typically arrive

Grants typically begin the August after the following year (roughly a year after the deadline); a mandatory in-country pre-departure orientation plus a group orientation at the start of the grant.

Multiple programs by field and degree level, including EPOS scholarships for developing-country applicants. Not all programs require German.

Requirements

EPOS track: Sub-Saharan Africa graduates with a first degree completed no more than 6 years ago, minimum 2nd class upper division or equivalent.

How to apply

All applications go through the DAAD portal only, materials sent any other way are rejected. You apply to DAAD and your host institution simultaneously. Needs a CV (max 3 pages), a motivation letter (300-1,000 words), one recent recommendation letter, language proof, transcripts, and a passport copy.

Typical application season

Deadlines vary by individual program, each closes at 24:00 CET on its own date, there is no single DAAD-wide date.

Interview, selection & admission

DAAD itself generally does not interview at master's level; your host institution may interview separately as part of its own admissions process.

When you'd typically arrive

Varies by program, typically October (winter semester) or April (summer semester).

Master's and PhD funding for Commonwealth citizens, tied to a national nomination quota (Kenya's 2026/27 quota was 19 Master's and 5 PhD places).

Requirements

Commonwealth citizenship, and being nominated within Kenya's annual quota, set by the Ministry of Education.

How to apply

Two steps: apply via the CSC Central online platform (the only accepted channel) AND submit to Kenya's Ministry of Education for nomination.

Typical application season

2026 cycle: portal opened 8 September, closed 20 October 4pm BST; Ministry of Education deadline 22 October, an annual September/October pattern.

Interview, selection & admission

The Ministry nominates candidates by December; CSC in the UK makes the final selection. Whether every award type includes a formal interview varies, confirm per award type.

When you'd typically arrive

September/October the following year; results are typically known by July.

Fully funded Australian study for African nationals, with a strong development-outcomes framing in the application.

Requirements

Minimum 25 years old at the reference date, 5+ years of post-graduate relevant work experience, currently employed, English proficiency, and a Letter of No Objection from your employer for the Africa program.

How to apply

Online via OASIS (Online Australia Scholarships Information System), register and confirm eligibility before applying.

Typical application season

2027-intake cycle opened 1 February, closed 30 April 2pm AEST, an annual February-April window.

Interview, selection & admission

Shortlisted candidates only proceed to interview, exact format varies.

When you'd typically arrive

Semester intakes (February/July in Australia); a pre-departure briefing is held roughly 6+ weeks before travel, commonly around October the year before departure.

Covers several tracks (research students, undergraduate, Young Leaders Program) through the Japanese Embassy in Nairobi.

Requirements

Kenyan citizenship; specific KCSE grade requirements for undergraduate/specialized tracks, these are adjusted yearly, confirm the current cutoff with the embassy.

How to apply

Through the Embassy of Japan in Kenya's Scholarships Desk, this is a paper/embassy-submitted application, not a central online portal.

Typical application season

Recent cycle opened 20 April, closed 19 May 4:30pm at the embassy, roughly an April-May window.

Interview, selection & admission

A written exam plus an embassy interview, followed by further screening once nominated to Japan.

When you'd typically arrive

April intake in Japan; most scholars complete 6-12 months of Japanese language training first, before the substantive program begins.

Fully funded Swedish master's study for professionals with leadership experience, this suits someone a few years post-graduation, not a fresh undergraduate.

Requirements

At least 30 years old, completed post-secondary education, roughly 3,000 hours (about 1.5 years) of relevant work experience, and demonstrated leadership experience.

How to apply

Two steps: apply to your master's program(s) via universityadmissions.se by 15 January, then apply separately for the SI scholarship through SI's own portal using the application number generated in step one.

Typical application season

Program application deadline 15 January; SI scholarship portal opens for a short 2-week window, roughly 9-25 February.

Interview, selection & admission

University admission results announced around late March; SI scholarship decisions around late April. No confirmed interview stage.

When you'd typically arrive

August/September in Sweden.

Fully funded Turkish government scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and a flight ticket, open to Kenyan applicants at bachelor's, master's, and PhD level.

Requirements

Open to Kenyan applicants at all degree levels; up to 12 university/program choices per application.

How to apply

Fully online, apply only through the official TBBS portal, needs a motivation letter, academic plan, and reference letters.

Typical application season

Recurring window, applications open 10 January and close 20 February.

Interview, selection & admission

Evaluation runs March-May; interviews held June-July in over 100 countries (roughly 20-30 minutes, in Turkish or English, with academics and YTB representatives); results announced early August.

When you'd typically arrive

September; scholars without C1-level Turkish receive one year of Turkish-language preparation first.

Fully or partially funded study in China at all degree levels, applied for either through the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi (Type A) or directly to a Chinese university offering the scholarship (Type B, no country quota).

Requirements

HSK 4+ (undergraduate) or HSK 5+ (graduate) for Chinese-taught programs; IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 80+ for English-taught programs instead, no Chinese required for those.

How to apply

Type A: through the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi (Kenya's agency number is 4041, allows applying to 2 universities). Type B: directly to the university offering the scholarship, no country quota.

Typical application season

Deadlines are set by the embassy, generally closing January-February for a September start. Type B applicants should contact prospective supervisors around August of the preceding year.

Interview, selection & admission

The embassy/Ministry reviews applications and may conduct an interview before nominating candidates to CSC, not universally described as mandatory.

When you'd typically arrive

September, for all programs; a language preparatory year is included if the recipient needs one.

A fully funded, non-degree year of graduate study and professional development in the US for accomplished professionals with a public-service track record, this suits an established graduate, not someone straight out of undergrad.

Requirements

5+ years of full-time professional experience beyond your first degree, demonstrated leadership, a CV, official transcripts, a TOEFL/English test score, and 2 recommendation letters uploaded directly by recommenders.

How to apply

Through the US Embassy Nairobi / Public Affairs Section, not a single global portal, each embassy sets its own country deadline.

Typical application season

Comparable African-embassy deadlines cluster mid-to-late July the year before the program starts. Kenya's exact date should be confirmed directly with KenyaExchanges@state.gov.

Interview, selection & admission

In-person or embassy-organized interviews typically held August-September the year before the program.

When you'd typically arrive

Fellowship year begins August, runs 10 months, and includes a professional affiliation placement.

A career-development fellowship (not a degree scholarship) for African women scientists in agriculture and related life sciences, built around mentorship, leadership training, and science-communication skills.

Requirements

AWARD runs several concurrent fellowship calls (the original Flagship Fellowship and newer programs like the Women in Agriculture Leadership Program), each with its own eligible-country list that changes call to call, always check the live call rather than assuming Kenya is automatically included.

How to apply

Online through AWARD's portal, free of charge.

Typical application season

Varies by call, a recent leadership-program call closed 26 April.

Interview, selection & admission

Not publicly detailed, format varies by track.

When you'd typically arrive

Program length varies by call, from around 9 months (virtual leadership program) to roughly 24 months (other tracks).

A fully funded PhD programme in applied sciences, engineering, and technology, run by African governments, with a mandatory research placement abroad.

Requirements

A relevant master's degree, and age 35 or under at application. Kenya has a specific allocation of scholarship slots under PASET's contributing-country rule (one recent call reserved 16 places for Kenyan nationals).

How to apply

Online via the dedicated apply.rsif-paset.org portal.

Typical application season

A recent call closed 30 September, 5:00pm EAT, check the current call for its exact date.

Interview, selection & admission

Not publicly detailed.

When you'd typically arrive

PhD duration is 3-4 years, including a 6-12 month "sandwich" placement at an international partner university, research institute, or company.

Runs through specific partner institutions, each with its own process, deadline, and requirements, there is no unified application. Confirmed Kenyan partners include the University of Nairobi and USIU-Africa.

Requirements

University of Nairobi track: focused on economically disadvantaged, academically strong students, with emphasis on women and marginalized groups in STEM. USIU-Africa: minimum KCSE grade of C+ or equivalent, selected on academic talent, leadership potential, and community commitment.

How to apply

Apply directly through the partner institution's own scholars program, University of Nairobi or USIU-Africa for Kenyan applicants.

Typical application season

University of Nairobi's recent deadline was 31 August; other partners vary, check each partner's own page.

Interview, selection & admission

Varies entirely by partner institution.

When you'd typically arrive

Varies by the partner institution's own academic calendar.

Postgraduate research fellowships for students from developing countries, covering biology and the physical sciences, hosted at partner institutions in the Global South and beyond.

Requirements

Master's degree in science/technology for PhD tracks; maximum age 35 as of 31 December of the application year. You may apply to only one TWAS/OWSD program per calendar year.

How to apply

Online only, via onlineforms.twas.org.

Typical application season

Deadlines vary by specific partner program, recent examples clustered April-June, confirm the exact date on the live portal for your target program.

Interview, selection & admission

Not publicly confirmed, appears to rely mainly on the paper application and host-institution confirmation rather than a formal interview.

When you'd typically arrive

Varies by host institution and partner program.

Two scholarships a year specifically for Kenya, under Kenya's own dedicated constituency, separate from the "East Africa" constituency (which covers Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi only).

Requirements

Evaluates leadership and character as heavily as academics. Confirm the exact reference-letter count on the official "Information for Candidates - Kenya" document before applying.

How to apply

Through the Rhodes House Kenya constituency page.

Typical application season

2027 cycle opened 1 June, closed 23:59 EAT 27 August, a recurring June-August window.

Interview, selection & admission

The Kenya constituency shortlists and interviews finalists toward late October (past cycles have interviewed around 8 finalists for the 2 scholarships, confirm the current year's exact number).

When you'd typically arrive

Oxford's academic year (Michaelmas term) conventionally begins in October.

Fully funded postgraduate study at Cambridge for non-UK citizens, evaluated on academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to improving the lives of others.

Requirements

Not eligible for the MBA, EMBA, MFin, PGCE, clinical medicine, or part-time master's (apart from a PhD pilot). Needs three references (two academic, plus one Gates-specific reference from someone of "appropriate standing") and four short statements (academic excellence ~200 words, course motivation/future plans ~200 words, commitment to improving others' lives ~300 words, leadership examples ~300 words).

How to apply

Through Cambridge's own Graduate Application Portal, in three linked parts: admission, funding, and Gates-specific requirements (plus a research proposal for PhD applicants).

Typical application season

Applications generally open in September. US citizens resident in the USA: 14 October deadline. Everyone else, including Kenyan applicants: 8 December or 6 January, depending on course.

Interview, selection & admission

Gates Cambridge does interview shortlisted candidates, exact panel structure and timing are not publicly detailed.

When you'd typically arrive

Cambridge's academic year begins in October.

A one-year fully funded master's in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, taught in English. Not life-sciences-specific, but open to strong applicants from any field with a genuine leadership record.

Requirements

Age 18-29 as of 1 August of the enrollment year; undergraduate degree must be conferred by 1 August of the enrollment year; strong English proficiency required.

How to apply

Online application, integrated directly with Tsinghua admission, there is no separate university application.

Typical application season

Class of 2027-2028 global application: 8 April - 9 September, 3pm EDT.

Interview, selection & admission

Select candidates are invited to interview(s) in October-November.

When you'd typically arrive

August, at Tsinghua University, Beijing.

The main, internationally open McCall MacBain Scholars program is based at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, not Oxford. It covers full tuition and fees for an eligible master's or professional program, a $2,300 CAD/month living stipend, a one-time relocation grant, and optional summer funding up to $5,000. Up to 30 full scholarships are awarded a year, with 10 reserved specifically for international students.

Requirements

On track for a first bachelor's degree by August of the enrollment year, OR earned a first bachelor's within the last 5 years, OR earned it more than 5 years ago but were 30 or younger as of 1 January of the application year.

How to apply

Apply to the scholarship online, and separately apply to and be admitted by an eligible McGill graduate program. Finalists must submit their McGill program application by December, even if that program's own deadline is later.

Typical application season

Application opens June, international deadline 19 August, for enrollment the following September.

Interview, selection & admission

Two stages: regional interviews (roughly 250+ semi-finalists, October-December), then final interviews in Montreal (around 85 finalists, March), with travel and accommodation covered for finalists.

When you'd typically arrive

September, at McGill University, Montreal.

Good to know

Kenyan applicants have already been selected: Samson Ekeno Lokwakai, a University of Nairobi graduate, won a place for an electrical engineering master's, and Victoria Naburuk, from Eldoret, was a 2026 finalist and regional award recipient, Kenyan participation is recent and growing. A separate, smaller John McCall MacBain Graduate Scholarship at Wadham College, Oxford also exists, but it is restricted to McGill alumni only, so it isn't a direct route for a first-time applicant.