EU announces €24.75 million for academic mobility partnerships across Africa

The European Union has announced €24.75 million in funding for academic mobility and higher education partnerships across Africa, with grants of up to €1.45 million available for each selected project.

The funding is being offered under the 2026 Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme, which supports cooperation among higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, with universities from European Union member states participating as technical partners.

The initiative will support postgraduate education, doctoral research, traineeships and the mobility of academic, administrative and technical staff between African universities. The application deadline for institutional partnerships is February 2, 2027, at 5 pm Brussels time.

The scheme is managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) and forms part of the EU's Youth Mobility for Africa initiative under the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package.

Universities must form cross-border partnerships

The call is open to consortia comprising four to six accredited higher education institutions from eligible Sub-Saharan African countries and one university from an EU member state.

Each consortium must include institutions from at least three different Sub-Saharan African countries, representing at least two of the scheme's three designated regions: East and Central Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, and Western Africa.

No more than two participating institutions can be based in the same African country. The coordinating institution must also be established in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The European university will serve as a technical partner, contributing expertise in academic, administrative and financial management, institutional cooperation and capacity building.

Institutions from North African countries, including Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, can participate as associated partners but cannot receive funding as core consortium beneficiaries under this call.

Mobility to focus on four priority sectors

The programme identifies four priority areas for projects: climate and energy, digital transformation, transport, and health. Each proposal can address a maximum of two Global Gateway priorities relevant to the participating countries or regions.

Selected projects will provide mobility opportunities for master's students, doctoral candidates, trainees and university staff. Master's mobility periods can range from four to 24 months, while doctoral candidates may undertake mobility lasting between six and 36 months.

Traineeships can run for three to six months, while academic, administrative and technical staff can participate in exchanges lasting from two weeks to three months.

The mobility activities must take place at an eligible Sub-Saharan African institution in a country different from the participant's country of nationality and residence. The EU university's role is to provide technical support to the partnership rather than serve as the destination for these mobility activities.

Individual scholarships to be announced separately

The €24.75 million allocation will support scholarships, institutional costs and assistance for participants with special needs. The maximum EU contribution requested for an individual project is €1.45 million.

The scheme also sets monthly scholarship contributions of €890 for master's students, €1,230 for doctoral candidates and trainees, and €2,370 for staff members. These amounts are intended to cover travel, installation and subsistence costs during the mobility period.

The call is directed at institutions seeking funding to organise mobility projects. Students and researchers cannot apply directly for these grants. Individual scholarship opportunities will be announced separately by the consortia selected for funding.

Projects are expected to run for 48 months. The scheme also encourages the participation of women, people with disabilities and students from disadvantaged or vulnerable backgrounds.

Through the partnerships, the EU aims to strengthen research cooperation, improve recognition of academic qualifications, expand institutional networks and support the development of skills relevant to Africa's economic and social priorities.