Opportunity Title: FULLY FUNDED: Apply for the second round of the IGAD Scholarship Programme for refugees, returnees and IDPs

Applications are now open for the second round of the IGAD Scholarship Programme for refugees, returnees, and IDPs. Launched in December 2021, this program is supported by the European Union through the IGAD Support Platform.

It offers eligible students the chance to study for 3-4 years at accredited higher education institutions across the IGAD region.

The IGAD Regional Scholarship Program aims to help refugee, returnee, and IDP youth access higher education. It wants to support them in becoming self-reliant and integrating into their communities. This initiative is led by the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh.

The program will financially assist 35 students who are admitted or enrolled in accredited higher education institutions in their host community or place of origin.

Its goal is to nurture future leaders who have received quality education and training. This will help promote self-reliance and regional integration.

To be eligible, applicants must be from a displacement-affected community, citizens of an IGAD member state, and admitted or enrolled in an accredited institution in the IGAD region.

The benefits of the scholarship include financial assistance for tuition, accommodation, subsistence, and medical expenses. Each student can receive up to €3,189 per year.

The Scholarship program aims to:

• Identify and support academically talented refugee, returnee, and IDP youth pursuing higher education within the IGAD region.
• Develop a pool of skilled young leaders and graduates equipped with the necessary skills to participate in livelihoods and economic opportunities.
• Address gender and other disparities in refugees’, returnees’, and IDPs’ access to higher education in the IGAD region, particularly focusing on women and marginalized groups.
• Promote sustained investment in the education and advancement of refugee, returnee, and IDP youth and their host communities.

To be eligible for the Scholarship, applicants must:

• Belong to a displacement-affected community (refugees, returnees, IDPs) with formal documentation.
• Be citizens of an IGAD member state, including those in refugee /displacement situations.
• Be admitted or enrolled in an accredited institution in the IGAD region.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Prioritization of women, persons with disabilities, and other disadvantaged populations, with at least 30% of scholarships reserved for female students. Special consideration will be given to applicants from Somalia and South Sudan, representing the largest long-standing displaced populations in the region

Scholarship Coverage and benefits

• The Program will cover the financial costs of training (tuition, accommodation, subsistence, and medical cover) up to a maximum of Euros 3,189 per student per year.
• The exact amount of financial support will be determined based on the costs of training and living expenses.

 Selection Criteria

In the interests of equity for all students and accountability in relation to the selection process, IGAD will adhere to the following selection criteria:

• Demonstrated excellent academic performance throughout primary and secondary education.
• Enrollment in, or acceptance to, an accredited public or private educational institution in IGAD.
• The field of study must be relevant to the market needs in the student’s home country.