This is the flagship educational initiative of the African Union, funneling students into the Pan-African University (PAU) network. The PAU is not a single campus; it is a network of specialized institutes hosted by existing top universities across the continent (e.g., PAUSTI in Kenya for Science/Tech, PAULESI in Nigeria for Earth Sciences).
Quick Overview
Full Requirements & Details
Academic Requirements
- Min. CGPA
- 3.0
- Offer Degrees
- Masters, PhD
- Subjects
- Agriculture, Arts, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Physics
- Seats Available
- Hundreds annually
- Study Gap Allowed
- No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
- Research Publication
- Optional
- Work Experience
- No
- Age Range
- No Min - 35
Language Requirements
- IELTS
- No
- TOEFL
- No
- GRE
- Not Required
- Local Language
- English / French
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- English, French
Financial Details
- Type
- Full
- Fund Details
- See Description
- Monthly Stipend
- USD 0/mo
- Tuition
- Full
- Living Costs
- Full
- Travel & Health
- Yes / Yes
- Application Fee
- Free (No Application Fee)
- Spouse Allowed
- No
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
It is deeply funded by international donors (like the EU and Germany). You get full tuition, a monthly living stipend (usually in USD), health insurance, and return flights. More importantly, it creates a Pan-African cohort of future civil servants and academics.
Application Process
You apply centrally via the African Union's PAU portal. You must have a strong undergraduate degree (usually Second Class Upper minimum). Your application must be supported by two strong academic references.
How to Win This Scholarship
The African Union operates on strict regional quotas. They will not accept 50 Nigerians and zero Gambians. You are competing primarily against applicants from your own geographic region (West Africa, East Africa, etc.) to ensure a balanced cohort.
Your research proposal must directly align with 'Agenda 2063'—the AU’s master plan for the continent. If your research does not explicitly solve a continental issue (like trans-boundary water management or regional energy grids), you will be rejected.
Benefits After Completing Study
Graduates are fast-tracked for roles within the massive bureaucracy of the African Union Commission and regional NGOs.
Bureaucracy is the biggest hurdle. The stipend payments from the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa are famously erratic. Students at the PAU institutes frequently experience delayed payments and administrative chaos.
You must be resilient and adaptable.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source