The Aga Khan Foundation supports programs in rural development, broadly defined, in several developing countries. It provides scholarships and loans for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from the developing world, with priority for master’s studies. The Foundation also considers applications for PhD programs in certain circumstances. Applications are invited from the following nationalities: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only. Please note that half of the scholarship amount is considered as a loan, which must be reimbursed. The application deadline is 01 February 2026, but earlier in some countries (please check the dates carefully). About the Fellowships
Africa
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association — PhD scholarships 2026
The BRIDGES Research Program offers fully funded PhD scholarships for three-year doctoral projects focused on marine social-ecological systems in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Each selected PhD receives a research budget of €20 thousand. Candidates may propose multidisciplinary research, including data-collection and monitoring, social-ecological modeling, vulnerability assessment, governance and transformation of marine/coastal systems. The call closes 13 February 2026. BRIDGES Research Program
Accountability Lab East and Southern Africa — Climate Justice Incubator
Accountability Lab East and Southern Africa (ALESA) launches a 12-month Climate Justice Incubator (CJI). The CJI is for young civic leaders aged 18–30 from Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, focusing on climate-justice innovation, community resilience, storytelling/advocacy, policy change or intersectional climate action. Applicants receive mentorship, training and hands-on support to develop their ideas into impact projects and join a network of “Climatepreneurs”. The deadline is 28 November 2025. Details here
Rockefeller Foundation — Fellowship for a Better Future
The Rockefeller Foundation supports African leaders who are creating bold, systemic solutions to critical challenges across the continent. Projects can range from social innovation and policy work to tech-driven and community-based efforts. Key focus areas include renewable energy access, resilient health systems, transformed food systems, and regional economic integration. The pre-application deadline is 01 December 2025. Big Bets Fellowship
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026
With funding from the UK’s Department for International Development, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are available to citizens of Commonwealth countries for master’s studies at UK universities, usually for one year. The participating academic programs include several subject areas such as environmental science and management, agroforestry, livestock management, remote sensing, disaster management, wetlands science, etc. The CSC lists the participating universities and their eligible courses. Potential applicants must check with the relevant UK university regarding their admission requirements and guidelines for applying. The deadline for scholarship applications is 09 December 2025. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
WASCAL – Innovative Ideas Competition for Sustainable Energy
The West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) provides grants of up to €20 thousand for individuals, groups or registered organizations in West Africa. The call aims to foster and support the implementation of innovative projects in renewable energy and green hydrogen. Any individual or group of young people from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo is eligible. The current application deadline is 31 December 2025. Link to more information
Jana Robeyst Trust Fund — Small Grants for Conservation in Africa
The Jana Robeyst Trust Fund provides financial resources to small non-profit organizations and individuals to carry out conservation research in Sub-Saharan Africa. Priority will be given to projects related to the conservation of forest elephants. Applicants can be based anywhere in the world. Funding is €1,500 per applicant. Application deadlines for small conservation grants are 30 April, 31 August, and 31 December each year. About the Fund
Halcyon — Climate Resilience & Food Security in Africa
The Climate Resilience & Food Security Fellowship brings together entrepreneurs from across Africa, empowering them to address climate resilience and food security. Participants will receive expert training, critical resources to accelerate their ventures, a one-week in-person residency in Washington, DC, and a one-week in-person residency in Nairobi, Kenya. Selected fellows will receive a $6 thousand stipend for their venture. Eligibility extends to for-profit ventures based in Africa. The deadline for the submission of applications is 20 November 2025. Know more
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association — Marine Conservation Program
The Hifadhi Blu Program invites marine conservation organisations managing Marine Conservation Areas (MCAs) in the Western Indian Ocean to submit short motivation letters. The program will make grants of up to US$200 thousand over a two-year period (2026–2028). The focus is on strengthening site-level management effectiveness, such as enforcement, ecological monitoring, governance and community engagement. Eligible applicants include legally mandated managing authorities (government agencies, parastatals, delegated private entities) or community-based organisations with recognised management mandates. Submissions must be received by 29 November 2025. Hifadhi Blu Program
Women for Africa Foundation — Research Fellowships in Spain
The Women for Africa Foundation has launched the 11th Edition of its “Science by Women” program. The program aims to promote African women’s leadership in scientific research and technology transfer and to foster the capacity of the research centers in their home countries. Thematic areas include sustainable agriculture and food security, water, energy and climate change; and several others. Each Spanish Centre of Excellence will host one senior woman researcher for a six-month fellowship. Eligibility to apply extends to women who are nationals of any African country, and who have a PhD, with at least three years of postdoctoral experience. The application deadline is 30 November 2025. Find Science by Women