Hot off the Press: Life-Changing Grants and Opportunities for Students and Refugees!
Are you a student or a refugee looking to pursue higher education or vocational training, or empower yourself through advocacy and skill development? Exciting new grants and opportunities for the 2025/2026 academic year and beyond are now open for applications! Don’t miss your chance to transform your future and make a lasting impact.
Here’s a snapshot of trending opportunities you should explore:
1. Empowering Education in Africa:
- TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship Program (2025/2026 Academic Year): This transformative program, a collaboration between RUFORUM, Mastercard Foundation, and leading African universities, is inviting young Africans, especially refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons, to apply for undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships in Agriculture. The initiative aims to equip students to drive inclusive, equitable, and climate-resilient agriculture and agri-food systems.
- Eligibility: Young Africans under 35, interested in Bachelor’s or Master’s in Agriculture. Strong encouragement for refugees, asylum seekers, and IDPs.
- Participating Universities: Across Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
- Key Dates: Information sessions are ongoing, and applications are open for the 2025/2026 academic year.
- More Info: Check the Global south opportunities announcements.
2. Global Reach for Higher Education:
- UNHCR University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme (UNICORE) 2025 (Italy): This fully funded scholarship offers refugee students residing in various African and Asian countries the opportunity to pursue Master’s degrees in Italy. It covers tuition, airfare, visa expenses, and a study allowance.
- Eligibility: Recognized refugee status in listed eligible countries (Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), academic qualifications for Italian Second Cycle Degree Programs, and English proficiency.
- Start Date: Selected students begin academic programs in September 2025.
- More Info: University corrido
- DAAD “Leadership for Africa” Scholarships (Germany): Funded by the German Foreign Office, this program offers full scholarships for Master’s studies in Germany to qualified young African refugees in various fields (excluding medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, law, fine arts, and architecture). Scholarship holders also benefit from complementary training.
- University of London – Refugee and Displaced Persons Scholarships (UK): The University of London offers a number of scholarships for refugees and displaced persons for the 2025/26 academic year, for programs commencing from September 2025.
- Eligibility: Offer for specific Master’s and Bachelor’s programs, refugee or displaced person status with formal documentation, and new student status or displacement during current study.
- Key Dates: Applications for the next academic year are expected to open in May/June 2025 and are considered on a rolling basis.
- Apply: More Info: University corrido
3. Opportunities in the UK:
- Cardiff University – Opportunity Award & Tuition Fee Reduction Scheme: For asylum seekers and children of asylum seekers in the UK, Cardiff University offers a tuition fee reduction to the home student rate and an Opportunity Award (twelve awards) for eligible undergraduate or postgraduate courses.
- Key Dates: Applications for 2025/26 are expected to open at the end of March 2025.
- More Info: See Cardiff University’s “Financial support for asylum seekers” Cardiff
4. Regional Opportunities and Support:
- IGAD Regional Scholarship Program for Refugees, Returnees, and IDPs: This program provides financial assistance for post-secondary higher education to refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons in the IGAD Region (East Africa). It covers tuition, accommodation, subsistence, and medical expenses.
- Eligibility: Belong to a displacement-affected community, citizen of an IGAD member state, admitted or enrolled in an accredited institution in the IGAD region.
- Recent Deadline: June 30, 2024 (check for future rounds).
- More Info: Visit the IGAD website.
5. US-Based Opportunities:
- Welcome Corps on Campus (2025-26 Cohort): This initiative allows eligible refugee students to apply for an opportunity to study and live in the US.
- Eligibility: Varies by country of residence (e.g., Kenya and Jordan had recent calls). Generally requires confirmed Refugee Status Determination and meeting USRAP eligibility/admissibility criteria.
- More Info: Check the Welcome Corps website for updates on upcoming cohorts HERE: Ovc scholarship network
Important Reminders for All Applicants:
- Check Eligibility Carefully: Each grant and scholarship has specific criteria regarding nationality, refugee/asylum seeker status, academic background, age, and sometimes country of residence.
- Application Deadlines: Pay close attention to application opening and closing dates. Some opportunities have rolling admissions, while others have strict deadlines.
- Required Documentation: Gather all necessary documents, such as proof of refugee status, academic transcripts, and personal statements, well in advance.
- Language Proficiency: Many programs require proficiency in English or the language of instruction.
- Official Sources: Always refer to the official websites of the organizations and universities for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Don’t let your potential be limited by circumstances. Seize these incredible opportunities and build a brighter future for yourself and your community!
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