Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme 2022–2027: EU-Funded Scholarships and International Study Opportunities for African Students, Trainees and University Staff

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme 2022–2027 is a European Union (EU)-supported initiative designed to strengthen higher education, promote international academic exchanges, and expand learning mobility opportunities across Africa. The programme supports partnerships between African higher education institutions and creates scholarship opportunities for students, trainees, and academic and administrative staff seeking to participate in international learning and professional development activities within the African continent.

Through the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme, the European Union aims to make Africa a more attractive destination for higher education, research, innovation, and academic collaboration. The initiative encourages African universities and other eligible higher education institutions to work together across national borders, enabling participants to acquire new knowledge, develop professional competencies, experience different academic environments, and contribute to the continent’s long-term development.

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme is particularly relevant to Africa’s growing demand for skilled professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and graduates who can respond to complex development challenges. Its priorities include climate change adaptation and mitigation, the green transition, women’s participation in education, employability, entrepreneurship, and improvements in the quality and internationalisation of African higher education.

Unlike a conventional scholarship programme that operates through a single university, the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme primarily supports projects implemented by consortia of eligible African higher education institutions. These institutional partnerships organise academic exchanges, administer scholarship opportunities, and undertake activities intended to improve cooperation between universities and other relevant stakeholders.

For prospective applicants, the programme offers a potential route to pursue academic training, research-related mobility, or professional development in another African country. However, opportunities depend on the participating institutional partnerships, the academic programmes available, and the specific eligibility and selection requirements established by each funded project.

 

1. Background and Objectives of the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme forms part of the European Union’s broader commitment to supporting education, skills development, international cooperation, and sustainable development in Africa.

The initiative is connected to the EU’s Youth Mobility for Africa flagship initiative, which seeks to expand learning opportunities and exchanges while strengthening Africa’s position as an attractive destination for education and training.

Youth Mobility for Africa is one of the flagship initiatives associated with education and training under the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package. Through this wider framework, the EU supports partnerships intended to strengthen human capital, improve access to skills development, and create opportunities for young people and other learners to participate in international education.

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) manages the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme on behalf of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships.

The programme recognises that higher education institutions play an important role in addressing Africa’s economic, social, environmental, and technological challenges. By supporting collaboration between African universities, the initiative seeks to strengthen institutional capacity and enable students and staff to benefit from academic experiences beyond their home institutions.

The scheme also promotes the recognition of qualifications and academic achievements across participating institutions. This is important because differences in academic systems, qualification frameworks, and institutional procedures can make cross-border education more complicated.

By supporting mobility and institutional cooperation, the programme aims to help participating institutions improve academic quality, expand international partnerships, strengthen research and knowledge exchange, and prepare graduates for employment and entrepreneurship.

 

2. Main Objectives and Priority Areas

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme has several interconnected objectives. These priorities influence the kinds of projects supported under the programme and the activities that participating institutional consortia are expected to implement.

A. Promoting Inclusive Academic Mobility Across Africa

One of the programme’s central objectives is to increase access to international learning opportunities for African students, trainees, and higher education staff.

Academic mobility allows participants to study, train, teach, or undertake other approved learning activities at an institution in another country. Such experiences can expose participants to different teaching methods, research environments, academic traditions, professional networks, and approaches to solving development challenges.

The scheme places particular emphasis on inclusive mobility. It encourages the participation of women and recognises the importance of creating opportunities for people who may face barriers to accessing international education.

Its inclusion priorities also extend to persons with disabilities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Participating projects are expected to consider these priorities when implementing mobility activities and supporting scholarship beneficiaries.

B. Supporting Climate Change Education and the Green Transition

Climate change is an important focus of the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme.

African countries face a range of environmental challenges, including changing rainfall patterns, droughts, flooding, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and pressure on natural resources. Addressing these challenges requires skilled graduates, researchers, policymakers, and professionals with relevant technical and interdisciplinary knowledge.

The programme therefore supports activities that strengthen knowledge, competencies, and skills in climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Depending on the participating consortium and its approved academic offerings, relevant opportunities may relate to environmental management, sustainable development, climate science, agriculture, renewable energy, natural resource management, or other fields connected to climate and environmental challenges. These are illustrative areas, not a guaranteed list of available scholarship programmes.

The programme’s climate focus also reflects the growing importance of the green transition in Africa’s development. Building expertise in sustainable industries and environmental solutions can help prepare graduates for emerging employment opportunities and support countries pursuing more sustainable economic growth.

Applicants interested in climate-related education should examine the academic fields offered by individual funded projects rather than assume that every participating institution offers all these subjects.

C. Improving Graduate Employability and Entrepreneurship

Another major objective is to strengthen the employability and entrepreneurial capabilities of students and trainees.

Higher education can help individuals develop the knowledge needed for professional careers, but graduates also need practical skills, relevant experience, and an understanding of the changing labour market.

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme seeks to improve the connection between higher education and employment by supporting mobility opportunities that can strengthen participants’ professional competencies.

The programme gives particular attention to green jobs and entrepreneurship. These priorities reflect the need for professionals who can contribute to sustainable industries, establish businesses, introduce innovative solutions, and respond to changing economic conditions.

Academic exchanges may also help participants build professional networks and develop a broader understanding of employment opportunities in different African countries.

The exact training activities and professional-development components available will depend on the project implementing the scholarship.

D. Improving the Quality and Internationalisation of African Universities

The scheme is not concerned exclusively with individual scholarships. It also seeks to improve the institutions that provide higher education across Africa.

Through cooperation between universities and other eligible higher education institutions, the programme supports efforts to improve academic quality, strengthen international partnerships, and make higher education more responsive to development priorities.

Institutional collaboration can help universities exchange teaching practices, develop joint approaches to academic administration, improve research cooperation, and expand their international engagement.

These improvements can benefit not only the students and staff participating directly in mobility activities but also the wider academic communities within the participating institutions.

E. Strengthening the Recognition of Degrees and Qualifications

The international recognition of academic qualifications is another important priority.

Students who study or train in another country need clear procedures for recognising the academic work they complete and the qualifications they earn. Differences in academic structures can create uncertainty about how qualifications, credits, and periods of study will be recognised.

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme supports efforts to improve transparency and recognition mechanisms among participating higher education institutions.

These efforts are intended to facilitate academic mobility and strengthen cooperation across national education systems.

Applicants should nevertheless confirm the credit-transfer, qualification-recognition, and graduation requirements of the institutions involved in their specific programme.

F. Strengthening University-Business Cooperation

The programme also aims to improve cooperation between higher education institutions and businesses.

Partnerships between universities and employers can help academic institutions better understand labour-market requirements and ensure that students acquire relevant knowledge and competencies.

Stronger cooperation may also create opportunities for knowledge transfer, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the development of practical solutions to economic and environmental challenges.

The precise activities available to students and trainees will depend on the individual project’s structure and objectives.

3. Who Can Apply for the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme?

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme supports mobility opportunities for several categories of beneficiaries, including students, trainees, and higher education staff.

However, it is important to distinguish between the institutions that apply for programme funding and the individuals who apply for scholarships offered through funded projects.

Institutional applicants

The programme provides support to consortia of eligible African higher education institutions.

These institutional partnerships develop and implement projects that organise international exchanges and associated institutional activities.

Consequently, an individual student generally does not apply directly to the European Commission to establish a new mobility project. Instead, students and other eligible beneficiaries apply through the relevant scholarship or mobility opportunity announced by a participating project.

The composition of an eligible consortium and its institutional requirements are governed by the applicable call for proposals and programme rules.

Individual scholarship applicants

The programme identifies the following broad categories of potential beneficiaries:

1. Students

Students may be eligible for mobility opportunities associated with approved academic programmes at participating institutions.

The precise eligibility conditions depend on the type of mobility offered, the academic programme, the applicant’s current institution, and the requirements published by the implementing consortium.

2. Trainees

The scheme also supports opportunities for trainees. Depending on the approved project, these opportunities may involve structured learning or professional-development activities.

Applicants should consult the specific announcement to establish what type of training is offered, the expected duration, and the qualifications required.

3. Higher education staff

Academic and other eligible higher education staff may benefit from mobility opportunities designed to strengthen teaching, professional competencies, institutional cooperation, and the exchange of knowledge.

The specific categories of eligible staff and the activities they may undertake are determined by the relevant project and its applicable rules.

Country eligibility

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme is designed to promote mobility within Africa.

However, this does not mean that applicants from every African country are automatically eligible for every scholarship offered under the programme.

Country eligibility depends on the applicable call, the participating institutions, and the geographical scope of the funded project.

For example, an applicant living in Ghana should establish whether a particular opportunity accepts applicants from Ghana, whether the applicant’s home institution meets the relevant requirements, and whether the proposed destination institution participates in the project.

Applicants should not rely solely on the fact that they are African citizens or residents. They should verify the country and institutional requirements in the official scholarship announcement.

Educational qualifications

The programme supports different forms of academic mobility, so there is no single educational qualification that applies to every opportunity.

The required qualification will depend on the level and type of study or training offered by the participating project.

Prospective applicants should check:

• The minimum educational qualification required for the proposed programme.
• Whether applicants must already be enrolled at a participating higher education institution.
• Whether the opportunity is intended for students, trainees, academic staff, or another eligible category.
• Whether a specific academic background or field of study is required.
• Whether previous academic performance or professional experience is considered.
• Whether language proficiency requirements apply.
• Whether applicants must meet additional conditions established by the host institution.

 

Women and applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds

The scheme explicitly prioritises inclusive mobility and highlights the participation of women.

It also identifies persons with disabilities and people from disadvantaged backgrounds among the groups whose skills and competencies the programme seeks to strengthen.

Applicants who fall within these groups should review the inclusion provisions and selection procedures of the relevant project to determine whether additional assistance, accessibility arrangements, or specific selection considerations are available.

Such priorities should not be interpreted as an automatic guarantee of selection. Applicants must still satisfy the applicable eligibility criteria and follow the required application procedures.

4. What Does the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme Offer?

The programme provides a framework for funding mobility projects and supporting the international exchanges organised by participating African higher education institutions.

The individual opportunities available to students and staff depend on the projects selected for funding and the activities those projects are authorised to implement.

International learning mobility

The scheme supports international exchanges that enable students, trainees, and staff to participate in approved activities at institutions in another African country.

The nature of the exchange may vary according to the beneficiary category and the objectives of the funded project.

Participants should therefore consult the specific scholarship announcement for details about the host institution, academic programme, expected activities, and mobility arrangements.

Academic and professional development

Participation may provide opportunities to strengthen academic knowledge, acquire new competencies, interact with professionals from different backgrounds, and develop a broader understanding of higher education and development challenges across Africa.

The programme’s emphasis on employability, entrepreneurship, climate change, and the green transition also highlights the importance of equipping participants with skills that can contribute to Africa’s economic and social development.

Institutional support

The scheme provides funding support not only for individual beneficiaries but also for eligible institutional activities associated with implementing mobility projects.

This support recognises that successful international exchanges require administrative coordination, partnership management, and institutional capacity.

Special needs assistance

Special needs assistance is one of the programme’s identified eligible funding categories.

This provision reflects the scheme’s broader commitment to inclusive mobility. However, the form of assistance, the eligible costs, and the arrangements available to an individual beneficiary must be confirmed through the applicable project and funding rules.

5. Programme Duration, Location, Structure and Fees

Programme period

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme is identified as covering the 2022–2027 period.

This timeframe refers to the overall programme period. It should not be confused with the duration of an individual scholarship, study programme, training placement, or mobility activity.

The length of each opportunity depends on the specific project, the beneficiary category, and the approved mobility arrangement.

Location

The scheme supports academic mobility across the African continent.

Successful beneficiaries participate in approved exchanges involving the higher education institutions associated with their funded project.

The destination is therefore not a single university or country shared by all applicants. It depends on the participating institutions and the particular scholarship or mobility opportunity.

Applicants should identify the host institution before applying and confirm that the proposed destination and academic programme match their educational or professional goals.

Programme structure

The scheme operates through funded projects implemented by consortia of eligible African higher education institutions.

These projects organise international exchanges for students, trainees, and staff and undertake related institutional activities.

This structure means that the academic experience, mobility arrangements, and selection process may differ from one funded project to another.

Applicants should obtain information about the following before accepting an offer:

• The academic programme or training activity.
• The host institution and destination country.
• The duration of the mobility period.
• The academic calendar and expected start date.
• The learning outcomes and assessment arrangements.
• The recognition of credits or qualifications, where applicable.
• The financial support and eligible expenses.
• The accommodation, travel, insurance, and other practical arrangements.
• Any responsibilities the beneficiary must fulfil during and after the mobility period.

Fees and financial support

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme uses unit contributions for three identified eligible cost categories:

1. Scholarships: Financial support associated with eligible mobility beneficiaries.
2. Institutional support: Funding for eligible institutional activities connected to project implementation.
3. Special needs assistance: Support for eligible additional needs under the applicable programme rules.

These categories establish the broad framework for programme funding.

However, the general programme information does not provide one universal scholarship amount, monthly allowance, tuition-fee arrangement, travel allowance, or accommodation payment applicable to every participant.

The actual financial package and the treatment of tuition, travel, insurance, accommodation, and living expenses must be confirmed in the individual project’s scholarship announcement and applicable financial rules.

Applicants should not assume that every expense is automatically covered simply because an opportunity is associated with the scheme.

Before accepting a scholarship, prospective beneficiaries should obtain written clarification from the implementing consortium about the amount and duration of financial support, payment arrangements, covered expenses, and any costs they may need to pay themselves.

6. How to Find Available Scholarships Under the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme

Because the programme is implemented through funded projects, applicants should search for individual opportunities rather than expect to find one universal application form for all scholarships.

The European Commission’s Funding & Tenders Portal provides information about open and upcoming funding opportunities under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI).

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency also provides information specifically about Intra-Africa scholarships.

Prospective applicants can use these official resources to identify relevant calls, funded projects, participating institutions, and announcements.

The following steps can help applicants organise their search.

Step 1: Visit the official Intra-Africa scholarships page

Start with the official scholarship information page maintained by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.

Review the available information to identify relevant projects and any published scholarship opportunities.

 

Step 2: Search for open and upcoming funding opportunities

Visit the European Commission’s Funding & Tenders Portal and review relevant opportunities under the NDICI – Global Europe framework.

Look for calls or project information associated with the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme.

Funding calls intended for institutions should be distinguished from scholarship announcements intended for individual beneficiaries.

 

Step 3: Identify participating institutions and funded projects

Once a relevant project has been identified, review the participating institutions and the countries involved.

Determine whether the project offers mobility opportunities that match your intended level of study, professional category, academic background, or research interests.

Applicants should verify whether their current institution must participate in the consortium or satisfy any other institutional requirements.

Step 4: Check the specific eligibility requirements

Read the scholarship announcement carefully before preparing an application.

Pay attention to country eligibility, academic qualifications, beneficiary categories, programme duration, language requirements, selection criteria, and any restrictions relating to the applicant’s current academic status.

If any requirement is unclear, contact the project coordinator or the designated scholarship administrator before submitting an application.

Step 5: Prepare the required documents

The documents required will depend on the individual scholarship and host institution.

Applicants should consult the official announcement to determine the exact list of required materials. Depending on the opportunity, these may include academic records, proof of enrolment or qualifications, identification documents, a CV, a motivation letter, recommendation letters, language documentation, or other supporting materials.

This list is illustrative rather than a universal document checklist for every project.

Make sure that all documents are accurate, complete, and submitted in the format specified by the implementing consortium.

Step 6: Submit the application through the designated channel

Follow the instructions provided by the specific funded project.

Some opportunities may use an institutional application portal, while others may specify a different official submission process.

Do not assume that registering on the European Commission’s Funding & Tenders Portal automatically constitutes an application for an individual scholarship.

Submit all required documents before the deadline and retain confirmation of submission where available.

Step 7: Monitor official announcements and communications

After applying, monitor the communication channels specified by the project.

Check for information about selection results, interviews, requests for additional documents, admission requirements, and the next steps for successful candidates.

Applicants should also remain alert to changes in application deadlines or other instructions published by the official implementing institutions.

7. Important Dates and Application Deadline

Overall programme period: 2022–2027.

The general programme information does not specify one universal application deadline for all individual scholarships under the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme.

Instead, application dates depend on the relevant funding call, implementing consortium, and scholarship opportunity.

This distinction is important because the overall programme period does not mean that every project is accepting applications throughout 2022–2027.

Prospective applicants should consult the official Intra-Africa scholarships page and the European Commission’s Funding & Tenders Portal for current announcements.

Before submitting an application, verify:

• The opening date of the relevant scholarship.
• The official application deadline.
• The time zone applicable to the deadline.
• The expected start date and duration of the mobility activity.
• The date by which supporting documents must be submitted.
• Any separate deadlines for university admission or other required procedures.

Deadline reminder: No single current scholarship deadline can be confirmed from the general programme information provided here. Applicants must check the specific opportunity’s official announcement for its closing date. Do not treat the 2027 end of the overall programme period as an individual scholarship deadline.

8. How the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme Supports Africa’s Development

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme is designed to contribute to Africa’s economic, social, and human development by strengthening the skills and competencies of individuals and improving cooperation among higher education institutions.

Its approach recognises that academic mobility can contribute to development in several ways.

First, it enables students and trainees to encounter different academic environments and approaches to learning. Exposure to different institutions can help participants broaden their knowledge, develop professional relationships, and gain perspectives that may be valuable in their future careers.

Second, the scheme supports institutional partnerships that can improve the quality and internationalisation of African higher education. Stronger cooperation can help universities exchange expertise, strengthen administrative capacity, and improve the management of international academic partnerships.

Third, the programme’s focus on climate change and the green transition highlights the need to develop expertise in areas that are increasingly important to Africa’s future.

Fourth, its emphasis on employability and entrepreneurship reflects the need to connect education with the skills required by employers, businesses, and emerging industries.

Finally, its inclusion priorities seek to make academic mobility more accessible to women and other groups that may encounter barriers to international education.

The programme therefore combines individual learning opportunities with broader institutional and development objectives. Its long-term value depends on effective implementation, meaningful academic exchanges, and the ability of participating institutions and beneficiaries to apply the knowledge and competencies developed through mobility activities.

 

Conclusion: Explore Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Opportunities

The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme 2022–2027 is an EU-supported initiative that promotes international academic mobility, strengthens African higher education institutions, and supports the development of skills needed to address the continent’s economic, social, and environmental challenges.

Through partnerships between eligible African higher education institutions, the programme creates opportunities for students, trainees, and higher education staff to participate in international exchanges. Its priorities include inclusive education, women’s participation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, green jobs, entrepreneurship, institutional cooperation, and the recognition of academic qualifications.

For prospective applicants, the most important step is to identify a relevant funded project and verify its specific eligibility requirements, available academic programmes, financial arrangements, and application deadline. The scheme does not have one universal scholarship application process or a single deadline that applies to every individual opportunity.

African students, trainees, and higher education staff interested in international learning experiences should therefore consult the official scholarship page and European Commission funding portal regularly. By following verified announcements and preparing applications according to the requirements of participating institutions, eligible candidates can identify opportunities that match their academic and professional goals.

Apply or Find Available Opportunities

For official information about the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme and available scholarship opportunities, visit the links below.

 

Intra-Africa scholarships

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