NM-AIST Master’s Scholarships 2026/2027 | Powerful Fully Funded EAC Scholarship Programme in Tanzania

Ivony Tsitsi ChigumiraAugust 30, 2026

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The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, Tanzania, has opened applications for selected Master’s degree programmes for the 2026/2027 academic intake. The opportunity is being offered concurrently with Phase II, Cohort 4 of the East African Community Scholarship Programme (EACSP), funded by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW and implemented by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).

The fully funded scholarship is designed to support academically talented but financially disadvantaged students from eligible East African Community (EAC) Partner States who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in another EAC country.

Four Master’s programmes at NM-AIST have been approved for the scholarship opportunity, covering fields including data science and artificial intelligence, environmental technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, and embedded and mobile systems.

Applications for admission and the scholarship must be submitted separately but within the same application period.

NM-AIST EAC Scholarship 2026/2027

The EAC Scholarship Programme is a regional initiative aimed at strengthening higher education, leadership and regional integration across East Africa. The programme provides financial support to selected students to study in an EAC Partner State other than their country of citizenship.

The scholarship particularly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities and applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. The programme aims for at least 50% female participation among beneficiaries.

For the NM-AIST opportunity, applicants must be citizens of an eligible EAC Partner State other than Tanzania.

Eligible applicants include citizens of:

Burundi
Democratic Republic of Congo
Kenya
Rwanda
Somalia
South Sudan
Uganda

Tanzanian citizens are not eligible for the EACSP scholarship at NM-AIST because of the programme’s cross-border mobility requirement. However, Tanzanian nationals may apply for EACSP opportunities hosted by other participating universities outside Tanzania.

Available Master’s Degree Programmes

Applicants can apply for one of the following four approved programmes at NM-AIST:

1. Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Thematic Area: Informatics

This programme is suitable for candidates interested in data science, artificial intelligence, analytics and emerging digital technologies.

2. Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Innovation

Thematic Area: Technology

The programme focuses on technological approaches to environmental challenges, sustainability and innovation.

3. Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management

Thematic Area: Business Science

This programme is designed for candidates interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, business development and management.

4. Master of Science in Embedded and Mobile Systems (EMoS)

Thematic Area: Science

The programme focuses on embedded technologies, mobile systems and related areas of modern computing and electronics.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful EACSP scholars will receive comprehensive financial support for their studies.

The scholarship package includes:

Full tuition fees paid directly to NM-AIST
One return economy-class air ticket between the student’s home country and Tanzania
EUR 200 arrival allowance
EUR 380 monthly stipend for accommodation, meals and living expenses
EUR 650 study materials allowance
EUR 1,500 one-time study and research allowance
Medical insurance for the duration of the scholarship
Visa or entry-pass fees, where applicable
Participation in at least one leadership or regional networking event

This makes the EACSP opportunity a significant option for East African students seeking postgraduate education without the burden of tuition and major living expenses.

Who Can Apply?

To be considered for the EACSP scholarship at NM-AIST, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a citizen of an eligible EAC Partner State other than Tanzania
Be below 35 years of age at the time of application
Hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least Second-Class Upper Division, Distinction or equivalent
Apply for one of the four approved NM-AIST Master’s programmes
Submit a complete scholarship application and all required supporting documents
Meet the separate admission requirements of NM-AIST for the selected programme

Applicants should carefully review the academic requirements for their preferred Master’s programme before applying.

Also Read: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027 | Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship for African Students

Important Mobility Requirement

One of the most important conditions of the EACSP is that it is a mobility scholarship.

This means applicants cannot use the scholarship to study in their own country of citizenship.

For example, a Kenyan applicant may apply to study at NM-AIST in Tanzania, while a Tanzanian applicant cannot use the EACSP scholarship to study at NM-AIST.

Applicants should therefore carefully confirm their citizenship and selected host university before submitting their applications.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete two separate application processes.

Step 1: Apply for Admission to NM-AIST

Applicants should submit an application for admission to their selected Master’s programme through the NM-AIST application process.

The admission application should include:

Copy of travel passport information page
Academic certificates
Academic transcripts
CV of no more than five pages
Two reference letters from employers or supervisors
Cover letter indicating the preferred programme or programmes in order of preference

Applicants should clearly state that they are concurrently applying for the East African Community Scholarship Programme (EACSP).

Shortlisted applicants may subsequently be required to pay the mandatory NM-AIST academic programme application fee.

Step 2: Apply for the EACSP Scholarship

Applicants must separately complete the EAC Scholarship Application Form through IUCEA’s dedicated online portal.

The scholarship application requires supporting documents to be compiled and submitted according to the instructions in the official call.

Important

Submitting an NM-AIST admission application does not automatically constitute a scholarship application.

Applicants must complete both the NM-AIST admission process and the EACSP scholarship application process separately.

Required Scholarship Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents for the EACSP application:

Valid National ID or passport
Recent colour passport photograph
Proof of application for admission to NM-AIST
Certified Bachelor’s degree certificate
Certified academic transcript
Certified English translations where applicable
Curriculum Vitae
Academic reference letter
Professional reference letter
Evidence of financial need
Additional supporting documents where applicable

Evidence of financial need may include documents such as bank statements, payslips, evidence of dependants, proof of disability or other relevant hardship documentation.

Applicants should carefully consult the official IUCEA supporting-document checklist because incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Timeline

The application window runs from 20 August to 10 September 2026.

Activity	Date
Call published	20 August 2026
Admission & scholarship applications	20 August – 10 September 2026
Application deadline	10 September 2026, 17:00 EAT
Virtual information session	28 August 2026, 11:00 EAT
Institutional evaluation & shortlisting	11–25 September 2026
Scholarship evaluation	28 September–25 November 2026
Scholarship results	4–10 December 2026
Student mobilisation & registration	December 2026 onward

Virtual Pre-Application Information Session

IUCEA will hold a virtual information session to help prospective applicants understand the scholarship requirements and application process.

Date: 28 August 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. East Africa Time

Applicants are encouraged to participate if they have questions about eligibility, documentation or the application procedure.

Also Read: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 | Fully Funded Research Scholarships in Switzerland

Why Apply for the NM-AIST EAC Scholarship?

The NM-AIST EAC Scholarship offers more than financial assistance. It provides students with an opportunity to study at a specialised science and technology institution while gaining regional exposure and developing advanced professional skills.

The opportunity can help successful scholars:

Obtain a Master’s degree in a high-demand field
Study in an East African country other than their own
Build professional and academic networks
Gain exposure to regional innovation and research
Develop leadership skills
Participate in regional networking activities
Strengthen their career prospects in science, technology, business and environmental fields
Contribute to East Africa’s regional integration and development

Important Application Advice

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final days of the application period.

Before submitting, make sure that:

You meet the citizenship and age requirements.
Your Bachelor’s degree meets the required classification.
Your preferred Master’s programme is one of the four approved programmes.
You have completed the NM-AIST admission application.
You have separately completed the EACSP scholarship application.
All academic documents are properly certified.
Your references are available and relevant.
Evidence of financial need is prepared where required.
Your documents are complete and correctly submitted.
Both applications are submitted before the 10 September 2026 deadline.

Conclusion

The NM-AIST EAC Scholarship Programme 2026/2027 presents a valuable opportunity for qualified East African students to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree in Tanzania while developing advanced skills in technology, data science, environmental innovation, entrepreneurship or embedded systems.

Eligible applicants should remember that both admission to NM-AIST and the EACSP scholarship application are mandatory. Meeting the admission requirements alone does not mean that an applicant has applied for the scholarship.

With the deadline set for 10 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT, prospective applicants should begin preparing their documents and completing both application processes as early as possible.