Call for Application: Credit-Seeking Scholarship for PhD and MSc

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INTERACT-Africa Project
Mobility in Innovative Green Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Bioeconomy (INTERACT-Africa)

Background
INTERACT-Africa is an Intra-Africa Academic mobility project funded by the European Union (EU). The project focuses on Chemistry, Biology and Information Technology, with emphasis on conversion of organic waste to valuable bioproducts for transitioning into environmental sustainable and socially inclusive economies.

INTERACT-Africa aims at:

  1. Promoting inclusive learning mobility opportunities by enhancing capacity building of HEIs by focusing on training and education in green Chemistry, Biology and Information Technology aimed at developing a skilled workforce capable of implementing sustainable practices
  2. Fostering entrepreneurship and support the establishment of green technology businesses in Africa by providing mentorship, access to funding, and technical support to aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups working in the field of green Chemistry, Biology and Information technology
  3. Facilitating networking and knowledge sharing among businesses to promote innovation and sustainable economic growth through provision of internships, cooperative education programs, and hands-on learning opportunities.

Number of Scholarships and study period
INTERACT-Africa is offering seven (7) postgraduate scholarships for the credit-seeking mobility tenable at Institut Facultaire Des Sciences Agronomiques De Yangambi (IFA-Yangambi): One (1) scholarship for the PhD and six (6) scholarships for MSc programmes.

  • For PhD student, the maximum duration of a scholarship is 10 months
  • For MSc students, the maximum duration of a scholarship is 6 months

The scholarships will be offered to regional students on a competitive basis. Female, disadvantaged, marginalized groups and candidates with special needs are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship programmes and host institutions

Host Country

Host Institution

Name of the Programme

Key study areas for candidates

Programme Duration

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Institut Facultaire Des Sciences  Agronomiques  (IFA) De Yangambi (IFA-Yangambi)

PhD in Biology

 

Virology, mycology,  Bacteriology (Plant  pathogens Identification and/or diversity), crop diversity (molecular using microsatellite markers)

10 months

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Institut Facultaire Des Sciences Agronomiques  (IFA) De Yangambi (IFA-Yangambi)

Masters of Science in Biology and Chemistry

Virology, mycology, Bacteriology (Plant pathogens Identification and/or diversity), crop diversity (molecular using microsatellite markers)

Analytical Chemistry

6 months

The hosting University reserves the right to change and/or modify the study area depending on the gap in the literature.

Scholarship Eligibility criteria

For admission into the INTERACT-Africa Master’s or PhD’s Credit-seeking programme:

  • Candidates applying for MSc Credit-seeking programme must be enrolled and doing a Master’s degree programme from an accredited and qualifying University in Africa, and hold a Bachelor’s degree within the fields of Chemistry and Biology or related fields for Crop science, Animal science among others.
  • Candidates applying for PhD Credit-seeking programme must be enrolled and doing a PhD degree programme within the fields of Biology or related field for Crop Science and Animal Science from an accredited and qualifying University in Africa, and hold a Master’s degree in a field relevant to the area of PhD studies in the respective University.
  • Proof that the candidate is of African nationality, and residing in Africa at the time of scholarship application. A copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
  • Applicants to declare not to have already benefited from a previous student scholarship under the projects selected in the framework of the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme 2022-2027.
  • Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in French. Where any transcripts are missing or do not include all pages, the application will be considered ineligible.
  • Motivation letter reflecting innovative technologies in climate change mitigation and sustainable bioeconomy.
  • Recommendation letter and/ reference letter (one) in PDF format. From an academic advisor or professor/lecturer.
  • Applicant must be willing to study not in his/her country of citizenship but within the eligible country (DRC)
  • Proof of special needs
  • Candidates may have a knowledge of French at level B. However, knowledge of the French language is not a selection criterion. Given that, the candidate comes to IFA Yangambi mainly for research.
  • Applications will be considered ineligible if any of the required documentation is not included by the closing date.

NOTE: Candidates are not allowed to apply to more than one mobility programme


Funding provided by the European Union through the Intra-Africa for the scholarship holders

  • Research costs for the duration of the study.
  • Comprehensive health and accident insurance cover
  • Monthly stipend/allowance of Euro 1,230 per month for PhD and 890 per month for the Masters.
    1. PhD students will receive a monthly stipend of 1230 Euros. This also includes (1) travel cost to and from the host institution (IFA-Yangambi), (2) Visa costs, and (3) Student permit costs, (4) Accommodation costs, (5) settling allowance.
    2. MSc students will receive a monthly stipend of 890 Euros. This also includes (1) travel cost to and from the host institution (IFA-Yangambi), (2) Visa costs, and (3) Student permit costs, (4) Accommodation costs, (5) settling allowance.

Inclusion Support

  • The Intra-Africa Mobility Project funded by the EU encourages the participation of individuals with fewer opportunities, such as participants with special needs.
  • A person with special needs is a potential participant whose personal physical, mental, or health condition, if not for additional financial support, would prevent their participation in the mobility activity. This includes participants with physical mobility, hearing, sight and learning / intellectual impairments, psychiatric and psychological difficulty, and those diagnosed with disabilities or chronic conditions that might negatively affect their studies or work.
  • Additional financial support covers costs such as those related to the acquisition of special items or services (e.g., assistance by third persons, adaptation of work environment, additional travel / transportation costs) needed to overcome learning /working barriers resulting from disabilities.

Target beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the scholarship are categorized into two target groups (TGs).

  • TG-I include students registered/admitted in one of the African Universities included in the INTERACT-Africa project partnership, i.e., Moi University (Kenya), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Uganda), Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) and Institut Facultaire Des Sciences Agronomiques De Yangambi (Democratic Republic of Congo).
  • TG-II includes students registered/admitted in one of the Universities established in Africa BUT not included in the partnership, with priority being given to students from conflict-affected and disadvantaged countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique and Algeria.
  • Both TG-I and TG-II candidates are eligible to apply for the credit-seeking mobility.
  • Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants with special needs are strongly encouraged to apply.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is French.

Selection for the credit seeking scholarship award 

Selection of applicants will be carried out by a designated INTERACT-Africa Project selection committee. This committee will evaluate the eligibility of both TG-I and TG-II candidates based on INTERACT-Africa’s selection criteria which include the student’s academic profile, professional background, and motivation. INTERACT-Africa selection criteria ensures equitable access and inclusion, and will give opportunity to participants from all backgrounds. Female candidates, candidates with disabilities (special needs), and candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

How to apply for the scholarship

Eligible candidates interested in these scholarships are invited fill the online scholarship application form using the  following link:  https://forms.gle/iRymXSg3PZVeXTxf7 .  

The application should be accompanied by the following supporting documents:

  1. Full academic testimonials (Signed and stamped by the home University), including First year MSc transcript records (for MSc applicants); and First year or First and second year PhD transcript records where applicable (for PhD applicants)
  2. Copy of Passport Data page or National ID
  3. Detailed Curriculum Vitae
  4. Proof of enrolment in second year MSc degree course (or proof of eligibility to register) from home institution (for MSc applicants)
  5. Proof of enrolment in second or third year PhD degree course (or proof of eligibility to register) from home institution (for PhD applicants)
  6. A support letter from home HEIs (from an authority of the University, Vice chancellor or Dean or Vice Dean or Head of Department/School)
  7. Detailed work plan signed by the research supervisor at home University
  8. Statement of motivation for applying for INTERACT-Africa scholarship
  9. Two recommendation letter One must be from the research supervisor, indicating what the scholar will do (achieve) during the mobility period
  10. Certificate of French language skills if any
  11. Proof of socio-economic vulnerability and/or disability attested by an authority of the home HEI for those vulnerable and/or disabled. The letter should have the HEI letter header and Email and contact of the signatory person.

All application supporting documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the application system.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ONCE PRESENTED, APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE ALTERED OR WITHDRAWN.

  • Once an application has been submitted, an email will be sent to the applicants’ email address (provided in the scholarship application form) to confirm that the application was uploaded correctly.

Procedure for appeals

Unsuccessful applicants who do not accept the selection outcome can decide to lodge an appeal. The purpose of the appeal is to verify that the procedure has been applied correctly and in accordance with the scholarship selection criteria communicated to the candidate and that no error has been made while processing the candidate’s application.

Information on the appeals procedure is provided in the INTERACT-Africa Applicant’s Scholarship Appeal Guide (https://tinyurl.com/35a7jpbe).  The INTERACT-Africa Scholarship Appeal Form (https://tinyurl.com/35a7jpbe)  is to be completed and should be sent to the Project Coordinating Office at interact-africa2023@mu.ac.ke

Expectations of the scholar

Once awarded an INTERACT-Africa credit seeking scholarship, the scholar shall be expected to: a) Sign a learning agreement at the host institution b) Attend a prescribed course/programme at the host institution c) Be available for the entire duration of the course d) Participate in cultural and social activities organised at the host institution e) Prepare and submit progress reports to the project coordinator at the host institution.

Application deadline

Applications are received from 1st October, 2025. The deadline to apply is November 15th, 2025 before midnight EAT(GMT+3). The selection of candidates is from November 16th to 23th, 2025 and the publication of results on November 24th, 2025. The candidate claims or appeal will be done from November 25th to 28th, 2025 and the publication of the appeals on November 29, 2025. Academic mobility programs should start in December 2025/January 2026.

Late and incomplete applications will NOT be considered.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Data Protection Statement

Please note that the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), in the context of managing the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme, collects and processes the personal data of some of the candidates. In particular, certain data of the scholarship holders is shared with the Agency through the mobility tool under EU Funding and Tenders Portal and treated according to the following privacy statement.

Contacts for further enquiries

For any other clarification or guidance required kindly contact the following.

Scholarship Briefing Webinar

The Consortium will organize a webinar on October 14th, 2025.  Kindly join using the link below for briefing on the application requirements and process. 

When: Oct 14, 2025 02:00 PM Nairobi

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://iu.zoom.us/meeting/register/HYnf2LF9Qp23v-58t3SXsw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.




Download and View :

> Scholarship Call in French Version 

> Scholarship Call in English Version