CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY STUDENT MOBILITY SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEME (EAC-SMS) 2025/2026
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is pleased to announce the call for applications for the East African Community Student Mobility Scholarship Scheme (EAC-SMS) for the academic year 2025/2026. This prestigious initiative targets ambitious and talented students from the East African Community (EAC) Partner States who are seeking to pursue higher education at undergraduate, master’s, or PhD levels in another EAC country. The program aims to enhance academic collaboration and integration within the region by facilitating student mobility among EAC Partner States, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The EAC-SMS is a strategic response to regional development goals that recognize education and knowledge-sharing as catalysts for social transformation. The scholarship offers an excellent opportunity for students to broaden their academic horizons, experience diverse cultures, and build regional networks that will shape their careers and leadership capacities. Through this initiative, the EAC continues to foster peace, unity, and economic cooperation by investing in the region’s most valuable asset, its youth. 📚 Register now for Coding and English Language classes at MK SCHOLARS. July intake is starting on 10th
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
For the 2025/2026 academic year, a total of 117 scholarships are available: 91 for undergraduate studies, 76 for master’s programs, and 10 for PhD programs. The scholarships will cover the following:
• Full tuition and examination fees
• Travel expenses
• Health insurance and research-related costs
However, accommodation and daily living expenses must be covered by the students themselves, their parents, or any other sponsor they are able to secure independently.
📚 Register now for Coding and English Language classes at MK SCHOLARS. June intake is starting on 10th
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must:
• Be citizens and residents of any of the EAC Partner States.
• Have academic qualifications qualifying them for admission into undergraduate, master’s, or PhD programs at participating universities.
• Be willing to study in a Partner State that is not their country of citizenship/residence. (e.g, applicants from the Republic of Rwanda are eligible only if they apply to a participating university from other countries of the EAC other than the Republic of Rwanda).
• Possess at least an Upper Second-Class Honours or “Distinction” or equivalent if applying for Master’s and PhD programs.
• Age limit (less than 35 and 45 for Master’s and PhD programs, respectively, at the time of application
• Work experience will be an added advantage for PhD programs.
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs are offered across the following participating universities:
1. UGANDA
• Uganda Martyrs University
• Busitema University
• Clarke International University
• Uganda Technology and Management University
• Makerere University
• Bugema University
• Nkumba University
📚 Register now for Coding and English Language classes at MK SCHOLARS. June intake is starting on 10th
2. KENYA
• Strathmore University
• Laikipia University
• South Eastern Kenya University
• Kenyatta University
• Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University (JOOUST)
• Murang’a University of Science and Technology
• Kibabii University
• KCA University
• Moi University
3. TANZANIA
• Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College
• The Open University of Tanzania
• University of Dar-es-Salaam
• Moshi Cooperative University
• St John’s University of Tanzania
4. RWANDA
• Institut d’Enseignement Supérieur de Ruhengeri (INES)
• University of Technology and Arts
📚 Register now for Coding and English Language classes at MK SCHOLARS. June intake is starting on 10th
5. BURUNDI
• Université Lumière de Bujumbura
• University of Ngozi
• Lake Tanganyika University
• Université du Burundi
6. SOUTH SUDAN
• Catholic University of South Sudan
NOTE: Each university offers a variety of programs across disciplines such as Agriculture, Information Technology, Business Administration, Education, Public Health, Engineering, Renewable Energy, Computer Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, etc. Applicants are encouraged to visit the application link at the bottom of this page to select their preferred university and desired program of study.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Applicants must submit the following:
• Completed application form (available in the application procedures section)
• Certified copies of all academic certificates and transcripts.
• Copy of national ID or passport
• A letter of motivation for applying for the scholarship.
• A copy of the university Application Form and its attachments
• Two recommendation letters
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Up-to-date and signed Curriculum Vitae.
• Evidence of Nationality of a Partner State in the East African Community, such as a copy of the national identity card/ passport/birth certificate.
• Proof of Residency (provide a certificate from the local government)
• Provide evidence of any awards, e.g., leadership, community service, etc.
📚 Register now for Coding and English Language classes at MK SCHOLARS. June intake is starting on 10th
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The application process involves two separate steps, both of which must be completed independently:
1. University Admission Application: Applicants should select a program and university from the list of eligible options provided In the application link at the bottom
2. EAC-SMS Scholarship Application: To apply for the EAC-SMS scholarship, candidates must follow the steps on the IUCEA website:
a) Create an online account and register for the scholarship (here) .
b) Download and fill out the Scholarship Application Form (here) .
c) Submit the required documents in PDF format, zipped in one folder, electronically to eacsms@iucea.org. Indicate the subject line of your submission email with YOUR NAME, EAC-SMS Application, MONTH & YEAR, e.g., Amani Africa, EAC-SMS Application, 30th June 2025.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Applicants for EAC-SMS scholarships are not required to apply for admission directly to universities instead, they should submit their applications for scholarship with all documents required for admission to IUCEA.
• IUCEA will receive and process all application documents for qualified candidates and submit the relevant documents for admission directly to universities.
• There is no need for applicants of EAC-SMS to pay for application fees to universities
• Applicants with academic qualifications obtained from foreign institutions must be equated by the authorised national agency (National Council/ Commission for Higher Education) in their respective countries.
• Applicants with supporting documents (transcripts, certificates, among others) in languages other than English must submit both the originals and copies translated into English by an accredited language translation provider.
• Candidates may apply to more than one University. But only one scholarship can be offered.
• Candidates who meet the scholarship requirements and have already been admitted to any university offering the scholarship can still apply to EAC-SMS.
• Only successful applicants will be contacted.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline for submission of applications is 30th June 2025. Late applications will not be considered.
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- 2025-06-07
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