Pan African University (PAU) Scholarships – 2026/27 Call Closed; Next Call Expected Nov 2026
The Pan African University (PAU) Scholarships are a flagship programme of the African Union Commission, offering fully funded Master’s and PhD study at one of PAU’s four continental institutes. Since 2014, PAU has awarded over 2,500 scholarships to students from across the African Union’s 55 member states.
What it covers: Full tuition, a monthly living stipend, and — depending on the host institute — accommodation, travel, and research support for the full duration of your programme.
Status: The 2026/2027 call closed 15 December 2025 (applications ran 15 November–15 December 2025). Based on PAU’s consistent annual pattern, the next call for the 2027/2028 academic year is expected around mid-November 2026, closing roughly a month later — watch the official portal closely from October 2026 onward.
The Four Host Institutes
- PAUSTI — Basic Sciences, Technology & Innovation, hosted at Jomo Kenyatta University, Kenya (note: PAUSTI is not admitting new students for the 2026 intake — check the next call for its status)
- PAULESI — Life & Earth Sciences (including Health and Agriculture), hosted at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- PAUGHSS — Governance, Humanities & Social Sciences, hosted at the University of Yaoundé II and the University of Buea, Cameroon
- PAUWES — Water & Energy Sciences, including Climate Change, hosted at the University of Tlemcen, Algeria
Detailed Eligibility Checklist
- Citizen of an African Union member state, or a member of the African diaspora
- Master’s applicants: Bachelor’s degree (second-class upper division or equivalent) in a relevant field; maximum age 25 for male applicants, 28 for female applicants
- PhD applicants: Master’s degree in a relevant field from PAU or another internationally recognised university; maximum age 28 for male applicants, 30 for female applicants; must submit a 3–4 page research concept note plus two professor recommendation letters
- Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (university and high school), plus a passport or national ID
- Candidates from underrepresented AU member states and women applicants are strongly encouraged to apply
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Choose your target institute and programme based on your field — fields vary by institute and by year, so check the current call’s full programme list.
- Create an account on the official PAU application portal (au-pau.org/submission) once the call opens.
- Prepare your certified transcripts, ID, passport photo, and (for PhD) a 3–4 page research concept note.
- Submit your application, including reference contacts, before the roughly one-month application window closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PAU only for students already in Africa? No — members of the African diaspora, wherever they currently live, are also eligible.
Which institute should I choose? Match your intended field to the relevant institute — PAUWES for water/energy/climate, PAULESI for life and earth sciences, PAUGHSS for governance and social sciences, PAUSTI for basic sciences and technology (subject to current intake status).
