Kabarak University is encouraging qualified students across the East African Community (EAC) to explore the EAC Scholarship Programme Cohort 4, a two-year funded Master's scholarship offering an opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in an EAC Partner State other than one's country of citizenship.
The programme, implemented by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) in partnership with the East African Community and the Federal Republic of Germany, seeks to develop future leaders while strengthening regional integration through cross-border higher education. Up to 120 scholarships are available under the current cohort.
An opportunity to study across East Africa
The scholarship is open to nationals of the eight EAC Partner States: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, who meet the eligibility requirements.
A key requirement is that applicants must pursue their Master's studies in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.
This means that Kenyan students cannot apply for the EAC Scholarship to study at Kabarak University or another Kenyan university. Instead, eligible Kenyan applicants can explore the approved Master's programmes offered by other participating universities.
At the same time, this requirement presents a significant opportunity for qualified prospective students from other EAC Partner States to choose Kabarak University as their host institution in Kenya.
Prospective EAC students can study at Kabarak University
Kabarak University is among the participating universities under Cohort 4 and has two approved Master's programmes:
These programmes fall under the Science thematic area of the scholarship programme.
Therefore, qualified graduates from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda who are interested in these programmes can apply for admission to Kabarak University and subsequently apply for the EAC Scholarship.
If you are a qualified graduate from another EAC Partner State looking for a Master's opportunity in Kenya, Kabarak University could be your destination.
The scholarship provides an opportunity to gain a postgraduate qualification at Kabarak University while experiencing Kenya, building regional networks and participating in activities aimed at strengthening East African integration.
What does the scholarship cover?
The two-year scholarship package includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Return economy-class air travel between the scholar's home country and host country
- EUR 380 monthly stipend for accommodation, meals, local transport and other living expenses
- EUR 200 arrival allowance
- EUR 650 study materials allowance
- EUR 1,500 study and research allowance
- Medical insurance for the duration of the scholarship
- Applicable visa/entry fees
- Participation in at least one extracurricular event.
Scholars will also benefit from opportunities for leadership development, mentoring, networking and regional integration activities.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of one of the eight EAC Partner States;
- Be below 35 years of age at the time of application;
- Hold a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Upper Division, Distinction or an equivalent qualification;
- Apply to an eligible Master's programme in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship;
- Have applied for admission to an eligible Master's programme at a participating university; and
- Submit a complete scholarship application within the stipulated application period.
Female applicants, persons with disabilities and applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.
An opportunity for Kabarak students and future students
For Kabarak University students and other eligible Kenyan graduates, the scholarship provides an opportunity to broaden their academic experience by pursuing an approved Master's programme at a participating university in another EAC Partner State.
For prospective Master's students from across the EAC, the opportunity goes beyond funding. It provides a pathway to study at leading participating universities across the region, including Kabarak University in Kenya.
Kabarak University therefore invites qualified prospective students from other EAC Partner States who are interested in Human Nutrition and Dietetics or Physics to consider applying for admission to Kabarak University as they pursue the EAC Scholarship opportunity.
Application dates
The call for applications opens on 20 August 2026 and closes on 10 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m. East Africa Time.
A virtual pre-application information session will be held on 28 August 2026 at 11:00 a.m. EAT to provide prospective applicants with an opportunity to seek clarification on the scholarship and application requirements.
Applicants are required to complete two separate stages: apply for admission to an eligible Master's programme at a participating university and submit a separate EAC Scholarship application. Admission to a university alone does not constitute an application for the scholarship.
Ready to explore the opportunity?
View the full EAC Scholarship Call and Application Guidelines
Kabarak University – The University of Now and the Future.
