Coimbra Group Scholarship – Sub-Saharan Africa Program, 2026

The Coimbra Group is back with its 2026 scholarship round for early-career researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa. The Coimbra Group Scholarship Sub-Saharan Africa Program offers short-term visits to young African researchers from higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The program provides short-term visits, one to three months max. The idea is simple: you come to Europe, work with a host supervisor, then go home and keep doing your research. No permanent relocation, no fluffy networking events.

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The main aim of this scholarship program is to enable scholars to undertake research in which they are engaged in their home institution and to help them to establish academic and research contacts. Female candidates get priority. That’s not a footnote. It’s stated up front. These scholarships are financially supported by the Coimbra Group member universities participating in this program, while the Coimbra Group Office is in charge of the administrative management of the applications. So what you get depends entirely on where you apply. One university might offer a decent monthly stipend. Another might throw in accommodation and flights. So choose your host university wisely.

You must be a national and current resident of a sub-Saharan African country. If you already live or study in Europe, do not bother applying. You also need an acceptance letter from a supervisor at the host university before you submit anything. No letter, no application. The Coimbra Group Office cannot help you find a supervisor. That part is your job.

Program Details

• Host Institutions: See full list below (18 participating universities).
• Eligible Research Fields: Varies by host university. Check their websites.
• Number of Awards: Not fixed. Depends on each university’s budget.
• Duration: 1 to 3 months (maximum).
• Eligible countries: All African countries except Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia (applicants from these countries are eligible for the European Neighbourhood Program). Some host universities may restrict it to specific countries. Consult each offer’s “Remarks” section.

Coimbra Group Scholarship Benefits (2026 Edition)

The scholarship benefits vary by host university. Common elements include:

1. A monthly contribution (amount depends on the university);
2. Possibly accommodation;
3. Possibly travel costs;
4. Possibly health insurance.

Do not assume you get all of the above. Check the specific conditions for each university on the Coimbra Group website. What works for one may not work for another.

Partner institutions of the Coimbra Group Scholarship Program 2026

These are the only eligible host institutions for the 2026 edition.

1. Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi (Romania)
2. University of Barcelona (Spain)
3. University of Bergen (Norway)
4. University of Coimbra (Portugal)
5. University of Cologne (Germany)
6. University of Granada (Spain)
7. University of Graz (Austria)
8. University of Groningen (The Netherlands)
9. Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany)
10. Heidelberg University (Germany)
11. Istanbul University (Türkiye)
12. Jagiellonian University in Krakow (Poland)
13. University of Padova (Italy)
14. University of Pavia (Italy)
15. University of Poitiers (France)
16. University of Salamanca (Spain)
17. University of Siena (Italy)
18. University of Würzburg (Germany)

Coimbra Group Scholarship Eligibility (2026)

To apply, you must meet all of these conditions. No exceptions.

1. Born on or after 1 January 1981.
2. National of and current resident in a Sub-Saharan African country. If your country is not in sub-Saharan Africa, look elsewhere.
3. Academic staff member of a university or equivalent higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
4. preferably of doctoral/Postdoctoral or equivalent status..
5. Obtain a formal acceptance letter or email from a supervisor at the host university. This letter must state clearly that the supervisor agrees to guide your work during the stay. Mandatory. No letter, no application.
6. Apply through the Coimbra Group electronic application system. No paper, no email submissions.
7. Apply to one university only. Multiple applications will be thrown out.
8. Submit everything in English.

How to Apply for the Coimbra Sub-Saharan Africa Program 2026

To apply for the Coimbra Group Short Stay Scholarship Program for young researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa, you must follow the instructions below:

1. Review the specific conditions for each participating university on the Coimbra Group website. Do this before contacting anyone.
2. Identify and contact a research supervisor at your chosen host university. The Coimbra Group Office will not help you find one. You are on your own here.
3. Get a letter or email of acceptance from that supervisor. Keep it safe. You will need to upload it.
4. Fill in the online application form on the Coimbra Group website before the deadline.
5. Provide your supervisor’s name and contact details in the form.
6. Upload the acceptance letter together with your application.
7. Submit everything in English. Applications without proof of acceptance will not be considered.

The Coimbra Group Office will acknowledge each submission individually. Within two weeks, you should get an email confirming whether your application passed the administrative check. That is your only acknowledgement. If you hear nothing, something went wrong. Contact [email protected] immediately and no later than 24 May 2026. Female candidates are encouraged to apply and will be prioritized throughout the selection process.

The deadline to submit your application for the Coimbra Group Scholarship Sub-Saharan Africa Program 2026 is Sunday, 10 May 2026, at midnight (Brussels time). Research visits take place during the 2026/2027 academic year. Results will be announced by the end of July 2026. For more details about scholarships per university and benefits, please click here and visit the official page.