MINDS Scholarship Application for 2026/2027

Detailed guide on MINDS Scholarship Application 2026/2027. Are you a high-achieving African student with a strong desire to study on the continent and become a future leader? The MINDS Scholarship Programme 2026/2027 is now open for applications, offering prestigious financial support to outstanding students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies at leading universities across Africa. Managed by the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS), this scholarship was established to nurture young African leaders, promote intra-African mobility, and strengthen collaboration among African institutions of higher learning.

The MINDS Scholarship provides generous funding that may cover tuition fees, accommodation, a monthly stipend, travel costs, and other essential study-related expenses. Beyond financial support, the programme places a strong emphasis on leadership development, networking, and cross-cultural exchange, enabling scholars to build lifelong connections with peers from different African countries and academic backgrounds. The scholarship is highly competitive and is aimed at academically excellent students who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to Africa’s development.

By applying for the MINDS Scholarship 2026/2027, students gain more than just funding, they join a growing pan-African community of change-makers equipped to drive social, economic, and political transformation across the continent. This opportunity is ideal for students who believe in Africa’s future and want to be part of shaping it through education, collaboration, and leadership.

In addition, satrends.co.za offers a wide range of other bursary categories to suit your preference. Click on the links below to access other kinds of bursaries.

Universities in South Africa Bursaries Available for 2026

Government Departments Bursaries Available for 2026

Field of Studies Specified Bursaries Available for 2026

Keep reading to find out more about the eligibility requirements, participating universities, application process, and closing date for the MINDS Scholarship Programme 2026/2027.

About Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS)

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is a continental institute dedicated to addressing Africa’s short-, medium-, and long-term development challenges through a holistic and integrated approach. MINDS focuses on leadership development, regional integration, and strengthening cooperation between African countries.

MINDS runs several impactful programmes, including:

African Heritage Programme
Economic and Regional Integration Programme
Youth Programme on Elections and Governance
Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development
Programme de bourses d’études pour le développement du leadership
African Youth Networks Movement

The MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa was launched in 2017 with the aim of nurturing young African leaders who possess a strong Pan-African outlook and the ability to foster collaboration across borders. The programme allows students to immerse themselves in the culture, diversity, and academic environment of an African country other than their own.

About the MINDS Scholarship Programme 2026/2027

MINDS invites eligible African students to apply for its Leadership Development Scholarship Programme.

Fields of Study Covered

The scholarship supports Postgraduate studies (Honours or Master’s degrees) in any field of study, provided the programme is offered at an approved African institution.

Key features include:

Study at an approved institution within Africa
Study outside your country of citizenship and residence
Full-time postgraduate study only

The overarching goal of the programme is to develop leaders who will actively promote continental cohesion, cooperation, and sustainable development across Africa.

MINDS Scholarship Coverage and Benefits

The MINDS Scholarship provides partial or full funding, depending on the scholar’s needs and circumstances. The scholarship may cover the following expenses:

Tuition fees
Accommodation
Meals
One return flight ticket per duration of studies
A fixed stipend (amount calculated based on various factors and disclosed to successful candidates)

This comprehensive support ensures that scholars can focus fully on their academic and leadership development journey.

Eligibility Requirements for MINDS Scholarship Application for 2026/2027

Applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements to be considered:

Must be a citizen of any African country
Must reside in an African country
Must have been accepted for full-time postgraduate study (Honours or Master’s) for the following academic year
Must have achieved a minimum of 70% in each subject/course over the last two years of completed studies
Must demonstrate strong leadership abilities or leadership potential
Must have been accepted to study at a MINDS approved institution, outside both:
- Country of citizenship, and
- Country of residence

Approved Institutions by Region

Southern Africa Applicants:

University of Cape Town (South Africa)
University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
African Leadership University (Mauritius)
University of Mauritius (Mauritius)

East Africa Applicants:

African Leadership University (Rwanda)
Carnegie Mellon University (Rwanda)
Makerere University (Uganda)
Strathmore University (Kenya)

North Africa Applicants:

Al Akhawayn University (Morocco)
Université Cadi Ayyad (Morocco)
Université Mohammed V (Morocco)

West Africa Applicants:

Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos Business School) – Nigeria
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (Ghana)
University of Development Studies (Ghana)

How to Apply for MINDS Scholarship 2026/2027

Applications must be submitted online via the official MINDS Scholarship application portal.

Applicants must first register an account, then log in to complete and submit their application.

Required Supporting Documents

Applicants must upload clear PDF copies of the following documents (each file must not exceed 2MB):

Passport bio/data page
Academic transcripts for the last 2 years of study (certified copies)
Official university acceptance letter stating:
- Applicant’s name
- Degree programme
- Academic year of commencement
- Duration of the course
Detailed Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 single-sided pages)
Valid study permit or visa OR proof of application
Two letters of reference, addressing:
- Integrity
- Leadership competence or potential
- Commitment to African development
  (Maximum 3 pages per reference letter)

Incomplete applications may be disqualified.

Important Notes About the MINDS Scholarship

If required information is missing from the acceptance letter, applicants must upload additional official university documentation as proof
Applications that cannot be verified through supporting documents will not be considered
Applicants will receive on-screen and email confirmation within 30 minutes of submission
MINDS will contact applicants within 2 months of application submission
Applicants must study outside both their country of citizenship and residence
Preference is given to candidates with a Pan-African outlook, strong academics, and leadership potential
There are limited scholarships per institution; competition is higher for South African universities
Only two scholarships are available annually for South African citizens to study in another African country
Priority fields include Actuarial Sciences, Business Sciences, and Accounting at approved institutions in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria
Scholarships are awarded through a rigorous, merit-based selection process

Closing Date for MINDS Scholarship Application 2026/2027

There is no fixed closing date.

Applications are open throughout the year, subject to availability of scholarship slots.

Contact Details of MINDS

For further enquiries about the MINDS Scholarship Programme, contact the provider directly:

Email: info@minds-africa.org