CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

THE NELSON MANDELA AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NM-AIST)

Arusha, Tanzania • www.nm-aist.ac.tz

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

ADMISSION TO SELECTED MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMMES 2026/2027

Concurrent Opportunity for the East African Community Scholarship Programme (EACSP) — Phase II, Cohort 4

The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) invites applications from qualified candidates for admission into four (4) approved Master’s degree programmes for the 2026/2027 intake. NM-AIST has been selected by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) to host beneficiaries under Phase II of the East African Community Scholarship Programme (EACSP), funded by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW, under the theme “Leadership to Foster Regional Integration.” Applicants to the programmes listed below are strongly encouraged to apply concurrently for this fully funded scholarship.

1.  Approved Master’s Degree Programmes at NM-AIST

2. About the EACSP

The EACSP is a regional initiative of the East African Community and the Federal Republic of Germany, implemented by IUCEA. It supports academically talented but financially disadvantaged students to pursue Master’s studies in an EAC Partner State other than their own country of citizenship. Phase II runs from October 2025 and is expected to support at least 280 students across three cohorts. Female applicants, persons with disabilities, and applicants from other disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply; the Programme targets at least 50% female participation among beneficiaries.

Important: This is a mobility scholarship — applicants may not study within their own country of citizenship. Admission to NM-AIST under the EACSP is therefore open only to applicants who are citizens of an EAC Partner State OTHER THAN Tanzania (i.e. Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan or Uganda). Tanzanian nationals and residents are not excluded from the EACSP altogether — they remain eligible to apply for admission and the scholarship at any of the other participating EAC host universities listed in IUCEA’s detailed Call for Applications, available on the IUCEA website.

3. Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition fees paid directly to NM-AIST
• One return economy-class air ticket between home country and Tanzania
• Arrival allowance of EUR 200
• Monthly stipend of EUR 380 for accommodation, meals and living expenses
• Study materials allowance of EUR 650
• One-time study and research allowance of EUR 1,500
• Medical insurance coverage for the duration of the scholarship
• Visa/entry pass fee where applicable
• Participation in at least one leadership/regional networking event

4. Scholarship Eligibility Criteria for NM-AIST Admission

To qualify for the EACSP scholarship, applicants must:

1. Be a citizen of an EAC Partner State other than the United Republic of Tanzania;
2. Be below 35 years of age at the time of application;
3. Hold a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of Second-Class Upper Division, Distinction, or an equivalent qualification;
4. Apply for admission to one of the four approved NM-AIST programmes listed above;
5. Submit a complete scholarship application, with all required supporting documents, within the stipulated application period.

Applicants must also separately satisfy NM-AIST’s own admission requirements for the chosen programme.

5. How to Apply — Two Concurrent Steps

Applicants must complete BOTH of the following steps within the application window (20 August – 10 September 2026):

Step A — Apply for Admission to NM-AIST

• Submit your application for admission to your chosen Master’s programme through the NM-AIST Online Admission System (OAS): https://tinyurl.com/nelsonmandelaArushaApp
• In your application, clearly indicate that you are concurrently applying for the East African Community Scholarship Programme (EACSP).
• Pay the applicable NM-AIST application fee, where required.

Step B — Apply for the EACSP Scholarship (via IUCEA)

• Complete the online EAC Scholarship Application Form through IUCEA’s dedicated portal (opens 20 August 2026):
  • https://eeeu.kobotoolbox.org/J4W9xHf7
• Compile all required supporting documents (see Section 6), compress them into a single ZIP folder, and submit by email to:
  • eacsp@iucea.org and scholarships@adroitconsultinternational.com
  • Use the email subject line format: “[Applicant Name] – Application for [Master’s Programme] at NM-AIST – Phase II EACSP”

Note: Submitting an application for admission to NM-AIST does not automatically constitute a scholarship application. Both steps above must be completed separately for the application to be considered.

6. Required Supporting Documents (for the EACSP Application)

• Valid National ID or Passport
• Recent colour passport photograph
• Proof of application for admission to NM-AIST (application acknowledgement, portal screenshot or receipt)
• Certified copies of Bachelor’s Degree Certificate and academic transcript (with certified English translation if issued in another language)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Academic reference letter
• Professional reference letter
• Evidence of financial need and other supporting documents as applicable (e.g. bank statements, payslips, evidence of dependents, proof of disability, or other hardship documentation)

A complete Supporting Documents Checklist is provided in IUCEA’s detailed Call for Applications, available on the IUCEA website. Applicants are advised to review it carefully, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

7. Virtual Pre-Application Information Session

IUCEA will host a virtual information session for prospective applicants to clarify the application process and requirements:

8. Key Dates

9. NM-AIST Admissions Support

Applicants who experience any challenges while submitting their admission application through the NM-AIST Online Admission System (OAS) may contact:

10. Important Notes

• Only complete applications submitted before the deadline, in English, and following the guidance above will be considered.
• Applicants must complete both the NM-AIST admission application and the separate EACSP scholarship application.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee admission or award of a scholarship.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• Providing false, misleading or incomplete information may result in disqualification or withdrawal of an award.
• The scholarship opportunity cannot be deferred or transferred to another person.

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