Call for Applications: the fully funded 2025 Learn Africa postgraduate scholarship programme

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Closing Date: 8 May 2025

Call for Applications: the fully funded 2025 Learn Africa postgraduate scholarship programme

2025 Learn Africa Scholarships Introduction

The Learn Africa postgraduate scholarship programme, one of the flagship initiatives of the Women for Africa Foundation, returns with a new edition full of opportunities. With 13 years of experience, the Learn Africa postgraduate scholarship programme has already awarded 445 scholarships to 403 African women from 36 countries, reaffirming its commitment to fostering female talent and leadership in academia and research.

In this edition, Learn Africa continues to strongly support doctoral studies, reaching a record 5 PhD scholarships, thanks to the support of institutions such as Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, which is funding two of them this year. Additionally, 36% of the 2025 Learn Africa scholarships will be offered in English or in a bilingual English-Spanish format, expanding their reach across the vast African continent.

Another major highlight is the introduction of new study areas aligned with global challenges, such as Veterinary Science, Computational Intelligence and the Internet of Things, Regenerative Biology, and Applied Psychology Research. Furthermore, more than half of the scholarships in this edition are in-person or blended programmes, offering many recipients the opportunity to pursue their studies in Spain and experience a true cultural and linguistic exchange.

From the beginning until today, Learn Africa has been supported by more than 60 partners, including universities, business schools and private entities.This year, the programme continues to grow with the addition of Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), which joins as a new partner institution offering four in-person master’s scholarships. Particularly noteworthy is the commitment of the company GMV Innovating Solutions, which has been sponsoring doctoral scholarships in the UPM since 2017, or Anesvad Foundation, which is funding two research scholarships on Neglected Tropical Diseases, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in a field of great impact on global health.

With 68 new scholarships and 25 renewal scholarships, Learn Africa 2025 reaffirms its mission: to open doors, boost careers, and strengthen the role of African women in development processes through higher education and research.

Enrollment period

The registration period will remain open until April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (Madrid). The registration period has been extended for certain scholarships until May 8 at 23:59h (Madrid).
Scholarships that do not receive a sufficient number of applications to carry out a competitive selection process within this period will have an extended registration period.
Only applications received through the website will be accepted.

General requirements

Be a woman, and have nationality and residence in an African country.
Be enrolled in an African university or have a university degree issued in an African country. For postgraduate scholarships, a Bachelor’s degree is required. The degree required may vary depending on the scholarship applied for (see detailed information on each scholarship).
Meet the specific requirements of the scholarship you are applying for.
Only one application per person will be accepted.

Technical and academic requirements

It is important to read carefully the information showed in the description of the studies you want to take, as well as on the university website (link attached to each scholarship), regarding the academic requirements.
The beneficiary agrees to provide the host university with duly legalized, certified and translated copies of her university degree, academic record or any other required documentation. If you are selected, it is recommend that you start the administrative process at the time you accept the scholarship, as the procedures you will need to take at the Embassy/Consulate and/or at the Ministries of Education or Foreign Affairs of your country may take long time.
The beneficiary must also present a certificate issued by her university certifying that she has a degree that enables her to pursue the requested studies (master or Phd).
If you apply for an online scholarship, you must have a computer properly equipped to follow online courses, taking into account the following aspects: Internet connection, web browser, operating system, desktop applications, webcam, Zoom/Microsoft Teams applications etc.

Language requirements

Before applying, make sure you have the required language skills. A high level of the language in which the training is delivered will always be required (B2 or C1 depending on the host university). You must prove your language level through the presentation of an official language certificate or through a telephone interview with the university.
If you are selected, you will receive a notification email and probably a phone call from the Women for Africa Foundation to inform you personally. You will be requested to communicate with the foundation’s staff in the language of the scholarship you have applied for.