APPLICATION SUPPORT

FAQS

Find answers to common questions about eligibility, application, and scholarships

Eligibility

The MINDS Scholarship for Leadership Development in Africa, launched in 2017, nurtures young African leaders with a continent-wide development mindset and the ability to strengthen cooperation, integration, and transformation across African countries.

Applicants must:

  • Be a national of an African country and reside in Africa.
  • Have been formally accepted by at least one MINDS preferred institution outside their home country.
  • Be accepted for postgraduate studies (Honours or Masters) for the upcoming academic year.
  • Achieve at least 70% in all courses/subjects in the last two completed years of study.
  • Demonstrate leadership abilities or potential with supporting evidence.

Yes, provided they are African nationals and meet the eligibility criteria.

No. MINDS scholarships support study outside the applicant’s country of citizenship or residence to encourage continental exposure.

No. The scholarship supports postgraduate studies only (Honours or Masters).

Application Process

Applicants typically provide:

  • Proof of citizenship
  • Academic transcripts
  • Letter of acceptance from a MINDS preferred university
  • CV
  • Leadership essays or evidence of leadership activities
  • Reference letters

  • Full details are available on the online application portal.

MINDS is not tied to specific fields of study. Scholars may pursue any discipline aligned with leadership and African development, including: Health, Economics, Public Policy, Engineering & Science, Education, Technology, Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Social Sciences, and more.

The scholarship covers:

  • Full tuition fees
  • Accommodation and meals
  • One return flight ticket for the duration of studies
  • A fixed stipend for living costs

MINDS partners with over 24 leading universities across Africa, covering East, West, Central, Southern, and North Africa. A full list of preferred institutions is on the MINDS website.

Selection Criteria

MINDS Scholars are selected based on:

  • Leadership potential to influence positive change
  • Commitment to Pan-Africanism
  • Academic excellence and intellectual curiosity

Selection is based on:

  • Demonstrated leadership and vision
  • Academic performance
  • Alignment with Pan-African values and MINDS’ mission
  • Quality of application responses
  • Interviews are conducted in the final stage to evaluate leadership potential and vision.

supporting evidence.

Strong applicants typically:

  • Show real leadership in community, school, work, or activism
  • Demonstrate passion for African development
  • Submit thoughtful, well-written essays
  • Secure admission to a top MINDS partner institution
  • Submit a complete, error-free application on time

No. MINDS scholarships support study outside the applicant’s country of citizenship or residence to encourage continental exposure.

Program Duration

The scholarship supports Honours and Master’s postgraduate studies.

Deferrals are generally not permitted, except under exceptional circumstances and with approval from MINDS and the university.

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MINDS Preferred Institutions

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