IUCEA Scholarship 2026: Fully Funded Master's Programmes at the University of Rwanda

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), through the EAC Scholarship Programme, has opened applications for fully funded master's scholarships at the University of Rwanda. This is a government-backed initiative of the East African Community and the Federal Republic of Germany, and it is one of the more comprehensive scholarship packages currently available to students in the region, covering tuition, travel, a monthly stipend, insurance, and research support.

The programme was established to strengthen regional integration by supporting academically strong students to study in an EAC Partner State other than their own. Phase I launched in 2018 and funded 180 master's students across East Africa. Phase II began in October 2025 and is expected to support at least 280 students across three cohorts. Under this current cohort at the University of Rwanda, up to 120 scholarships are available.

Who is eligible

This call is open to citizens of the following countries:

1. Republic of Burundi
2. Democratic Republic of Congo
3. Federal Republic of Somalia
4. Republic of Kenya
5. Republic of South Sudan
6. United Republic of Tanzania
7. Republic of Uganda

Rwandan nationals are not eligible under this particular call, since the programme requires applicants to study outside their own country.

To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

• Be a citizen of an EAC Partner State other than Rwanda
• Be under 35 years of age at the time of application
• Be applying to study in an EAC country other than their own
• Hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum of Second-Class Upper Division, Distinction, or an equivalent qualification
• Have already applied for admission to one of the eligible master's programmes listed below
• Submit a complete scholarship application within the stipulated deadline

Selected candidates who studied outside Rwanda will also be required to obtain an equivalence certificate from Rwanda's Higher Education Council.

Eligible master's programmes

Applicants may apply to more than one programme, though each application is assessed independently and must be submitted as a separate application.

1. MSc in Health Supply Chain Management: Open to graduates of Pharmacy, Public Health, Procurement, Logistics, Supply Chain, Nursing, or a related health field, with a minimum of Second-Class Upper Division, 70 percent, or a GPA of 3.25 out of 4.5. Two years of relevant work experience in health supply chain management is desired.
2. MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance: Open to graduates of Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related life sciences field, with the same minimum academic threshold. A strong background in pharmacology and chemistry is expected, along with two years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical analysis, quality control, or proficiency testing at a mid or senior level, desired but not stated as mandatory.
3. MSc in IoT Wireless Intelligent Sensor Networking: Open to graduates in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or Electronics and Communications Engineering, with a minimum Second-Class Honors Upper Division or equivalent from a recognized institution.
4. MSc in Electrical Power Systems: Open to graduates of Electrical Engineering or Electromechanical Engineering, with a minimum of Second-Class Upper Division or a cumulative average of at least 70 percent. Applicants from related fields such as Mechatronics or Renewable Energy Engineering may also qualify if they have completed sufficient core modules relevant to power systems.

What the scholarship covers

• A return economy-class ticket between the scholar's home country and Rwanda
• Full tuition fees, paid directly to the university
• An arrival allowance of EUR 200
• A monthly stipend of EUR 380, to cover accommodation, meals, and living expenses
• A lump-sum allowance of EUR 650 for study materials
• A one-time EUR 1,500 study and research allowance
• Medical insurance for the full duration of the scholarship
• Coverage of visa or entry pass fees, where required
• Participation in at least one extracurricular or networking event

Documents required

• Cover letter addressed to the Director of the University of Rwanda's Centre for Postgraduate Studies
• Current curriculum vitae
• Copy of a valid passport
• Certified copy of the bachelor's degree certificate
• Certified academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation from two academic referees

All documents must be submitted in PDF format. Incomplete submissions will not be processed to the next stage.

How to apply

Applicants must complete two parallel processes: admission to the university, and the scholarship application itself.

1. Visit the University of Rwanda website at www.ur.ac.rw
2. Go to Admission, then Applicant Portal, and select New Application
3. Complete the Biographical Form and save it. This generates a Student ID Reference Number, which should be kept safely, as it is required for all future transactions with the university
4. Create a five-digit numeric PIN that does not begin with zero. This becomes the account password
5. Submit all required documents through the university's document portal at pgfile.ur.ac.rw/pgfile/findme.php
6. Complete and submit the separate EAC Scholarship Application form at ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/J4W9xHf7

Both the admission process and the scholarship form must be completed for the application to be considered.

Selection process

Applications are first reviewed by the University of Rwanda's selection committee against the university's own admission criteria. Candidates who meet these criteria are then forwarded to IUCEA, which conducts the final selection for the scholarship award.

Deadline

September 10, 2026, no later than 5:00 PM East African Time.

Contacts

• General inquiries: University of Rwanda Centre for Postgraduate Studies, c.mukangoga@ur.ac.rw, +250 788 642 427
• Health Supply Chain Management and Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance: Dr. Jean Baptiste Nyandwi, j.b.nyandwi@ur.ac.rw
• Electrical Power Systems: Dr. Emanuel Ufiteyezu, eufiteyezu@ur.ac.rw
• IoT Wireless Intelligent Sensor Networking: Mr. Benjamin Hakizimana, b.hakizimana@ur.ac.rw, +250 781 637 573

This call was signed at Kigali by Assoc. Prof. Kayihura Muganga Didas, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda. Applicants are encouraged to also check the official IUCEA website for further details.