Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship

African Union Commission

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Details checked on 30 October 2026. Dates and amounts change every year. Always confirm on the official page.

Who can apply

Young, qualified African nationals and members of the African diaspora. Master's: age 25 or under for men and 28 for women, with at least a second-class upper degree. PhD: age 28 for men and 30 for women, with a relevant master's degree and a 3-4 page research concept note. Apply online at au-pau.org.

Watch: how to apply

About this opportunity

Established by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, the Pan African University is a premier continental university network operating across four active regional flagship institutes: PAUSTI (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya — Basic Sciences, Technology & Innovation), PAULESI (University of Ibadan, Nigeria — Life & Earth Sciences, Health & Agriculture), PAUGHSS (University of Yaoundé II & University of Buea, Cameroon — Governance, Humanities & Social Sciences), and PAUWES (University of Tlemcen, Algeria — Water, Energy & Climate Change). Its objective is to build African research self-reliance and foster cross-border continental integration.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check that you are eligible. Young, qualified African nationals and members of the African diaspora. Master's: age 25 or under for men and 28 for women, with at least a second-class upper degree. PhD: age 28 for men and 30 for women, with a relevant master's degree and a 3-4 page research concept note. Apply online at au-pau.org.
2. Note the deadline. Nov 15 – Dec 15 (annual; the call for 2026/27 ran 15 Nov – 15 Dec 2025 - the next call is expected to open in mid-Nov 2026) Confirm the exact date on the official page.
3. Prepare your documents. Official Transcripts: Certified copies of Bachelor’s (and Master’s for PhD applicants) degree certificates and full academic transcripts showing grading scale.; Letters of Recommendation: Contact details (full name, institutional email, and active WhatsApp/phone number) for 3 academic/professional referees; PhD applicants must also upload 2 signed recommendation letters.; Personal Statement / Research Proposal: Master’s applicants complete short motivation fields in the online portal; PhD applicants must upload a 3-to-4-page Research Concept Note (problem statement, literature gap, methodology, expected African policy/scientific output).; Proof of Identity & Age: Clear scan of valid Passport or National ID Card confirming age cutoffs (Master’s: under 25 male / under 28 female; PhD: under 28 male / under 30 female), plus 1 passport-size color photograph..
4. Apply on the official page. Open the official application page and submit your application before the deadline.

How applicants are selected

Strict Automated Age & Degree Class Filter (Pass/Fail), Academic GPA & Subject Alignment (50%), Research Concept Note Quality for PhDs (30%), Regional & Gender Diversity Quota across AU Member States (20%).

Profile of past winners

A 23-year-old B.Sc. Civil Engineering graduate with First Class Honours (GPA 3.7/4.0) from Ghana or Tanzania admitted to PAUSTI (Kenya) or PAUWES (Algeria), or a 27-year-old female Master’s graduate with Distinction researching climate-resilient crops.

Free materials

Templates, checklists and guides to help you apply.

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Tips from our advisors

1. Read the eligibility line by line before you write anything. Most rejections are eligibility mismatches, not weak essays.
2. Contact potential supervisors before you apply. Send a one-page research summary and a short, specific email.
3. Show a clear link between your past studies, this programme and your career goal. Committees look for a story, not a list.
4. Spend most of your time on the criteria with the highest weight in the selection breakdown above.
5. Ask your referees at least 4 weeks ahead and give them your CV, your draft SOP and the deadline.
6. Explain the impact you want to make for women in your field, not only your own career.

Quick answers

Who can apply for Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship?

Young, qualified African nationals and members of the African diaspora. Master's: age 25 or under for men and 28 for women, with at least a second-class upper degree. PhD: age 28 for men and 30 for women, with a relevant master's degree and a 3-4 page research concept note. Apply online at au-pau.org.

What does Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship cover?

Full scholarship from the African Union Commission for a master's or PhD at one of the four PAU institutes

When is the deadline for Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship?

Nov 15 – Dec 15 (annual; the call for 2026/27 ran 15 Nov – 15 Dec 2025 - the next call is expected to open in mid-Nov 2026) Dates change every year, so confirm on the official page.

Where can I study or work with Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship?

Host countries: Cameroon, Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa.

What documents do I need for Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship?

Official Transcripts: Certified copies of Bachelor’s (and Master’s for PhD applicants) degree certificates and full academic transcripts showing grading scale.; Letters of Recommendation: Contact details (full name, institutional email, and active WhatsApp/phone number) for 3 academic/professional referees; PhD applicants must also upload 2 signed recommendation letters.; Personal Statement / Research Proposal: Master’s applicants complete short motivation fields in the online portal; PhD applicants must upload a 3-to-4-page Research Concept Note (problem statement, literature gap, methodology, expected African policy/scientific output).; Proof of Identity & Age: Clear scan of valid Passport or National ID Card confirming age cutoffs (Master’s: under 25 male / under 28 female; PhD: under 28 male / under 30 female), plus 1 passport-size color photograph..

How are applicants selected for Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship?

Strict Automated Age & Degree Class Filter (Pass/Fail), Academic GPA & Subject Alignment (50%), Research Concept Note Quality for PhDs (30%), Regional & Gender Diversity Quota across AU Member States (20%).

How much work is the Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship application?

Medium: Transcript + National ID/Passport + 3 Referee Contacts (no essay required for Master’s)