University of Rwanda Opens Full Scholarships for African Refugees and Displaced Students
Kigali, 14 March 2026
The University of Rwanda, partnering with the Mastercard Foundation, has launched comprehensive undergraduate scholarships specifically targeting African students facing educational barriers, including refugees and displaced persons. Applications close on 22nd August 2025 for the 2025/2026 academic year. This initiative forms part of the ambitious Young Africa Works Strategy, which aims to provide 30 million young Africans—particularly women, refugees, and persons with disabilities—access to dignified education and employment opportunities by 2030.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
The scholarship programme welcomes applications from African students across all regions and genders who demonstrate limited access to education [1]. To qualify, prospective students must first apply for admission into first-year undergraduate programmes at the University of Rwanda for the 2025/2026 academic year [1]. This prerequisite ensures that scholarship recipients have already met the university’s academic standards and are prepared to commence their studies immediately upon award notification.
Application Process and Critical Deadlines
Applications must be submitted through the dedicated online portal at mcfsprecruitment.ur.ac.rw before the firm deadline of 22nd August 2025 [1]. This timeline provides prospective students with approximately five months from today’s date to complete their applications. The university emphasises that late submissions will not be considered, making adherence to this deadline crucial for interested candidates [1]. Complete application guidelines and detailed requirements are available in the official call for applications document provided by the University of Rwanda [1].
Strategic Impact of Young Africa Works Initiative
The scholarship programme operates within the broader framework of the Young Africa Works Strategy, an ambitious continental initiative designed to transform educational and employment opportunities across Africa [1]. This strategy specifically targets 30 million young people by 2030, with particular emphasis on supporting young women, refugees, displaced persons, and individuals with disabilities [1]. The programme represents a significant investment in human capital development, addressing systemic barriers that have historically prevented marginalised groups from accessing higher education.
Regional Innovation and Partnership Networks
The scholarship initiative benefits from extensive collaboration between educational institutions and development partners across East Africa. The University of Kigali’s Enterprise Business Center serves as a delivery partner for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship, working alongside Queen’s University’s Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre to translate international programmes into locally relevant opportunities [2]. These partnerships demonstrate how regional institutions are working together to support emerging entrepreneurs and strengthen innovation ecosystems, with universities playing a crucial role in bridging research, talent development, and enterprise creation [2]. Such collaborative approaches ensure that scholarship recipients benefit not only from quality education but also from extensive networks that support career development and entrepreneurial ventures.