Scholarships, grants and fellowships for Cabo Verdean applicants 2027

Applicants from Cabo Verde can apply to opportunities open to all African countries, all nationalities, or named eligible countries that include Cabo Verde. The strongest options depend on your level, field, English ability, professional experience and whether you need tuition, travel, accommodation or living support.

Key facts

• UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme is open to Cabo Verdean applicants at master’s and PhD level, with research stays in Japan and a grant of up to USD 10,000.
• UNU-MERIT Migration Management Diploma Training Programme includes Cabo Verde among its eligible countries and covers flights, accommodation, visa fees, meals, daily expenses, health insurance and field trips.
• UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship is fully funded for African professionals working in biosphere reserve-related areas, with English as the working language and a six-month stay in Iceland.
• Wageningen University & Research Masters Scholarship covers tuition, travel, living costs, visa costs and health insurance for a 24-month master’s programme in the Netherlands.
• Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Scholarship provides comprehensive doctoral support in health and medicine in Canada, including tuition, travel, housing, food, books and other expenses.
• Rainforest Alliance Kleinhans Community Forestry Fellowship accepts applications in English, Spanish or Portuguese, but does not cover academic tuition or fees.
• APNI African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship Competition accepts application materials in English or French and offers a USD 5,000 award for plant nutrition education, training or communication work in African agro-ecosystems.

Which opportunities are open to applicants from Cabo Verde?

Cabo Verdean applicants are explicitly eligible for UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme, the UNESCO/Japan young researchers’ programme. It is available for master’s and PhD applicants in fields including education, environment and climate, computer science and IT, public policy, social sciences, entrepreneurship, and arts and design. The programme is hosted in Japan and supports travel, accommodation, medical insurance and subsistence through a lump-sum grant of up to USD 10,000.

The grant does not cover tuition fees, computers, publication costs or conference participation unless a conference is directly justified as part of the approved research. Applicants must also show sufficient reading and writing ability in the language used for instruction or supervision at the proposed Japanese host institution. IELTS is not required according to the stated programme information, but that does not remove the language requirement.

Cabo Verde is also named in the eligibility list for UNU-MERIT Migration Management Diploma Training Programme. This three-month training programme in the Netherlands is suitable for professionals from several fields because its level and field are listed as professionals and any field. Its support is unusually broad, covering international flights, accommodation, visa fees, meals, daily living expenses, health insurance and field trip costs.

Other programmes accept applicants from all African countries. That includes UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship, CyberSafe Foundation Fellowship for African Women in Cybersecurity, APNI African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship Competition, Mastercard Foundation PhD Scholarship at University of Toronto, Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Scholarship, Wageningen University & Research Masters Scholarship and MS International Federation McDonald Fellowship Opportunity. For these options, Cabo Verdean nationality fits the geographic rule, but you still need to meet the separate level, field, language and experience conditions.

Which scholarships suit Cabo Verdean master’s students?

For a master’s applicant seeking a fully supported degree, Wageningen University & Research Masters Scholarship matters because it covers the tuition fee, travel to and from the Netherlands, living costs for the programme, visa costs and health insurance. The programme lasts 24 months and requires applicants to meet the English language requirements before the deadline. A complete application to one of the specified MSc programmes must also be submitted before the scholarship deadline.

TU Delft Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships is another Netherlands-based option for master’s applicants. It provides full tuition fees for a TU Delft MSc programme and a contribution towards living expenses. The award is limited to two scholarships, and applicants must upload an English language certificate. The deadline is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET, so a Cabo Verdean applicant should check the time conversion before submitting.

Leading Russian Universities Open Doors Scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend for undergraduate, master’s, PhD and postdoctoral study at participating universities in Russia. It does not cover transport, food, accommodation, communication services or medical insurance. Study may be in Russian or English, depending on the institution, so you must confirm the language of your chosen programme before applying.

The right choice depends on what you already hold. The listed facts do not define which Cabo Verdean qualifications are recognised by each university or whether a particular degree matches a local admission standard. Check the official page and institution-specific instructions before treating your qualification as eligible.

Which opportunities suit Cabo Verdean PhD and postdoctoral applicants?

Health and medicine applicants should examine Mastercard Foundation PhD Scholarship at University of Toronto and Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Scholarship. Both are doctoral scholarships in Canada and provide full financial support for tuition, travel, housing, food, books and other expenses for the duration of the professional programme. Each has a deadline of 1 October 2026 at 23:59 EST, also given as Toronto time.

The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies Fellowship is designed for PhD and postdoctoral applicants in the social sciences. It offers an annual stipend of USD 80,000, plus annual research support of USD 6,000. The appointment is in residence in the United States for two years, with those two years completed within a three-year window. Your research work may be published or unpublished, but it must be in English.

For natural sciences, health and medicine, social sciences or humanities, CIFAR Global Scholars Program: PhD Research Scholarship offers CAD 100,000 in unrestricted research support over 24 months. The funds may be used for research expenses, teaching release, student or postdoctoral support and conference travel. Applicants must be fluent in spoken and written English, and the programme is hosted in Canada.

Early-career health researchers may consider Medical Research Council Early Independence Fellowship, which supports salary and project costs at 80% of the full economic cost for up to five years. It is open to postdoctoral applicants of all nationalities and is hosted in the United Kingdom. The information supplied does not state every degree, host or project document required, so review the official instructions before preparing the submission.

Which fellowships fit professionals from Cabo Verde?

Environmental and climate professionals can use UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship because it accepts applicants from all African countries and funds tuition, academic expenses, travel, health insurance and living costs during a six-month stay in Iceland. Applicants must be no older than 40, have at least one year of professional experience, and communicate in English by speaking, reading and writing. The fellowship is not remote and has two awards.

Women working in cybersecurity may find CyberSafe Foundation Fellowship for African Women in Cybersecurity relevant because the training and certification pathway is fully funded, with no tuition payment required from fellows. It runs remotely and is open to African women who speak English and currently reside in an African country. At least three years of experience are required, and the programme lasts nine months.

Professionals in agriculture, extension or education should assess APNI African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship Competition if their work concerns improving plant nutrient use and efficiency in African agro-ecosystems. The award is USD 5,000 and includes travel support. Application materials may be submitted in English or French, which can help applicants who do not prepare their materials in English, although the official page should be checked for the complete document list.

Researchers in community forestry can consider Rainforest Alliance Kleinhans Community Forestry Fellowship because applications are accepted in Portuguese, English or Spanish. The fellowship offers USD 20,000 per year for two years to master’s, PhD and postdoctoral applicants in environment and climate or natural sciences. It does not subsidise tuition or academic fees, and it will not pay for transport vehicles or unnecessary equipment.

Journalists with some years of experience and proficient English may consider Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program Fellowship. The 12-week programme in the United States offers a USD 14,000 stipend, economy-class airfare reimbursement, SEVIS and visa application fee reimbursement, and health insurance through the university plan. Its subject focus is political economy, so your work record should make that interest clear rather than relying only on a general journalism profile.

What English and document requirements should Cabo Verdean applicants check?

English is a decisive screening issue. UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme does not require IELTS, but it does require sufficient reading and writing ability in the language of instruction or supervision at the proposed Japanese institution. UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship requires spoken, written and reading communication in English. CyberSafe Foundation Fellowship for African Women in Cybersecurity, The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies Fellowship, Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program Fellowship and FrieslandCampina Global Traineeship Internship Opportunity also specify English ability in their eligibility or programme information.

Do not submit one language document to every programme without checking the wording. TU Delft Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships requires an English language certificate, while Wageningen University & Research Masters Scholarship requires applicants to meet the English language requirements before 1 December 2026. APNI African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship Competition allows materials in English or French, and Rainforest Alliance Kleinhans Community Forestry Fellowship allows English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Some applications have document timing rules that can cause rejection even when the applicant is otherwise suitable. For MS International Federation McDonald Fellowship Opportunity, the online application form, reference letters and supporting statement from the host must all be included by 1 December 2026. For The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies Fellowship, recommendation letters may arrive later than the other materials, but they must be received by 28 September 2026, while all other materials are due by 18 September 2026.

A strong research application should make the proposed project and host connection easy to understand. The available facts do not prescribe a universal proposal format, word limit or reference template, so you must use the official instructions rather than copying a format from another fellowship. Missing host confirmation, late references or an unsupported language claim can weaken an otherwise relevant application.

How should you manage deadlines and time zones from Cabo Verde?

The earliest stated deadlines are 10 September 2026. They include UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship and CyberSafe Foundation Fellowship for African Women in Cybersecurity. CyberSafe Foundation Fellowship for African Women in Cybersecurity closes at 12:00 WAT, while UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship gives the deadline as 10 September 2026 without a stated submission time. Do not assume that a date without a time means the end of the day.

September deadlines continue through The Abebi AfroNonfiction Foundation Fellowship Opportunity, ERA Cambridge AI Fellowship Opportunity for Professionals, Medical Research Council Early Independence Fellowship, University of Bayreuth Humboldt Centre Grant Opportunity, The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme Opportunity, Tara For Women Competition Opportunity: Tara’s Circle, The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies Fellowship, Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program Fellowship and APNI African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship Competition. October includes several fully supported study and research options, while Wageningen University & Research Masters Scholarship, MS International Federation McDonald Fellowship Opportunity and TU Delft Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships close on 1 December 2026. Rainforest Alliance Kleinhans Community Forestry Fellowship closes on 28 February 2027.

Time zones are stated in different ways. ERA Cambridge AI Fellowship Opportunity for Professionals uses 23:59 Anywhere on Earth, Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program Fellowship uses Chicago time, The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies Fellowship uses EDT, Mastercard Foundation PhD Scholarship at University of Toronto and Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Scholarship use Toronto time, Tara For Women Competition Opportunity: Tara’s Circle uses CEST, and TU Delft Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships uses CET. Save the deadline in the stated zone, not only in your local calendar, and submit before the final hour.

A practical schedule starts with eligibility and language checks, followed by host or referee requests where required. Then prepare the main form and supporting documents before the deadline week. Keep proof that the submission is complete, especially where letters or host statements are sent separately.

Which funded options cover the costs Cabo Verdean applicants often overlook?

Tuition funding does not always mean full funding. Leading Russian Universities Open Doors Scholarship pays tuition and a monthly stipend, but students must pay transport, food, accommodation, communication services and medical insurance. Rainforest Alliance Kleinhans Community Forestry Fellowship provides a yearly grant but excludes academic tuition and fees. Read the exclusions before comparing awards.

Several programmes state broader coverage. UNU-MERIT Migration Management Diploma Training Programme includes visa fees, meals, health insurance and field trips. Wageningen University & Research Masters Scholarship includes visa and health insurance costs. UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme may cover travel, accommodation, medical insurance, subsistence and research-related expenses, but not tuition, computers or ordinary publication costs.

Currency also affects planning. Awards are stated in USD, EUR, GBP or CAD, and the facts do not provide exchange rates or confirm how each payment is made. Prepare a local-cost budget and check whether the award is paid to you, a host institution or through another arrangement. MS International Federation McDonald Fellowship Opportunity, for example, pays its EUR 55,000 annual grant to the host institution, which then pays the fellow.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for Cabo Verdeans

Can Cabo Verdean students apply for scholarships in Japan?

Yes. UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme explicitly lists Cabo Verde as eligible and supports master’s and PhD research stays in Japan. It offers up to USD 10,000 for approved costs, but tuition fees are excluded.

Which scholarships accept applicants without IELTS?

UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme states that IELTS is not required. You must still show sufficient reading and writing proficiency in the language used for instruction or supervision at the proposed host institution in Japan.

Are there fully funded scholarships for Cabo Verdean applicants in the Netherlands?

Yes. Wageningen University & Research Masters Scholarship covers tuition, travel, living costs, visa costs and health insurance for a 24-month master’s programme. UNU-MERIT Migration Management Diploma Training Programme also covers the full cost of its three-month training programme, including flights, accommodation, meals, visa fees and insurance.

Can I apply if my field is not listed as a specialist subject?

Some options list any field, including UNU-MERIT Migration Management Diploma Training Programme, The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme Opportunity, University of Bayreuth Humboldt Centre Grant Opportunity and Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program Fellowship. You must still meet the level, language, experience and host conditions stated by the provider.

Which opportunity accepts applications in Portuguese?

Rainforest Alliance Kleinhans Community Forestry Fellowship accepts applications in English, Spanish or Portuguese. The application still concerns community forestry research, and the fellowship does not cover academic tuition or fees.

What should you do next?

Start by selecting opportunities that match your current level and field, not only the largest award. For each choice, record the eligibility rule, language requirement, funding exclusions, deadline time zone and documents that must arrive separately.

Then obtain any required English certificate, host statement or reference letters early. Check whether your Cabo Verdean qualification is accepted, whether your proposed host meets the programme rules and whether the award covers the costs you cannot pay yourself. Finally, submit through the official page before the stated deadline and keep confirmation that every required component was received.