AFAS Masters Fellowships 2026 | Fully Funded

AFAS Masters Fellowships

The African Climate and Environment Centre – Future African Savannas (AFAS) is calling  for application for the 2026 AFAS master’s fellowship.

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The entirety of the costs of your tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and comprehensive medical insurance during the corresponding academic period are covered by the fellowship.

The fellowship is applicable to master’s students.

In this post, the full details of the eligibility, benefits, timeline, and application procedure will be provided.


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AFAS Masters Fellowships Abstract

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AFAS Masters Fellowships Details

The African Climate and Environment Centre – Future African Savannas (AFAS) is a part of the Global Centers for Climate and Environment program of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). 

AFAS is a partnership of four universities: the University of Nairobi (UoN), Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB), the University of Cologne, and the University of Bonn. The program is based at the University of Nairobi through its Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation (ICCA) in Nairobi, Kenya, and at the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny through its African Centre of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (CEA-CCBAD) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

AFAS trains graduates to connect science, policy, and practice, co‑produce knowledge with stakeholders, and contribute to national, regional, and global climate and biodiversity agendas.

AFAS aims to address climate change adaptation and ecosystems conservation in Africa’s savannas. AFAS Phase 2 (2026–2030) builds on strong foundations laid in Phase 1 (2021-2025) and places stronger emphasis on implementation, stakeholder engagement, and real‑world impact.

The program focuses on Nature‑based Solutions (NbS) and the Science–Policy–Practice Interface (SPPI) as pathways to address climate change, ecosystem degradation, and livelihood challenges across African savanna landscapes.

For the master’s thesis the emphasis will be on one of the following five thematic areas: water, agriculture, energy, One Health, and biodiversity.

Applicants will need to select one of these thematic areas and then express and explain their preference in the motivation & reflection statement.

For the 2026 intake, AFAS will award 18 fully funded Master’s fellowships across its two host universities.

Fellows will enroll in an AFAS-aligned Master’s program at their host university, take part in joint AFAS courses, hybrid modules, and soft-skills training, and conduct demand-oriented research on Nature-based Solutions in African savannas.

They will actively engage with policy actors, practitioners, NGOs, communities, and private-sector stakeholders, and complete a Master’s thesis that is closely linked to real-world challenges.

The AFAS program is conducted in English.

AFAS Masters Fellowships Benefits

The AFAS Masters Fellowships covers:

  • Full tuition fees
  • Monthly stipend equivalent to the local currency
  • Health insurance
  • Laptop computer
  • An individual research budget upon proposal approval and successful completion of all course modules
  • Supports participation in an AFAS summer school, workshops
  • And other (face-to-face and online) exchange activities.

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Available Programmes for AFAS Fellowship Programme 2026

For the 2026 fellowship, the AFAS Masters Fellowships will accept applications to the following programmes;

  • Nature‑based Solutions (NbS)
  • Climate Change Adaptation &
  • Biodiversity Conservation in African Savannas

Participating Universities for AFAS Masters Fellowships

For the 2026 AFAS Masters Fellowships, Applicants may apply to either 

  • The University of Nairobi (UoN), Nairobi, Kenya, or
  • Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire 

BUT NOT BOTH

AFAS Masters Fellowships Requirements

To be eligible for the AFAS Masters Fellowships, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

Eligibility for the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Applicants;

Candidates willing to apply must have:

  • Concluded a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in environmental and/or agricultural sciences or biology, ecology and climate sciences, economics, sociology, or any other relevant discipline.
  • The required university degrees must have been awarded by a university or a higher education institution officially recognized by the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES).
  • Must not be older than age 26 years on the 2nd of October 2026.
  • Be willing to be a single/individual resident on the campus of “Pôle Scientifique et d’Innovation de l’UFHB” for the full duration of the program.
  • This is a full-time assignment which requires physical presence and outside work is not permitted for the duration of the fellowship.
  • UFHB applicants from Central and Western Africa are encouraged to apply.
  • University Certified Diplomas/Bachelors/Masters certificates. All certified documents not issued in French must be accompanied by an official French translation.
  • Applicants from French-language academic backgrounds are asked to provide official evidence of English language proficiency, in the form of an IELTS or TOEFL certificate or equivalent demonstrating a satisfactory level of competence.
  • A passport is required for non-citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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Eligibility for University of Nairobi (UoN), Nairobi, Kenya applicants;

Candidates willing to apply must have:

  • Concluded a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in environmental and/or agricultural sciences or biology, ecology and climate sciences, economics, sociology, or any other relevant discipline.
  • Must have a minimum second-upper honors degree or equivalent approved by Kenya’s Commission for University Education (CUE)
  • Must not be older than 26 years on the 2nd of October 2026.
  • Must be willing to be a single/individual resident in the student’s residence recommended by the University of Nairobi for the duration of the program.
  • This is a fulltime assignment which requires physical presence and outside work is not permitted for the duration of the fellowship.
  • Applicants from universities which do not use English as a language of instruction should provide evidence of English proficiency in the form of a certificate of IELTS or TOEFL or equivalent demonstrating a satisfactory level of competence.
  • University Certified Diplomas/Bachelors/Masters certificates (if not in English, please provide official English translation from/or certified by the university). Note: In certain cases, further verification may be required from Kenya’s Commission for University Education (see below).
  • Before applying for the scholarship, applicants are expected to visit the University of Nairobi website and the Department of Earth and Climate Sciences website to confirm their eligibility for admission and get more details on the program, respectively.
  • At UoN, selected candidates will immediately be required to seek admission to the University of Nairobi master’s program in Climate Change Adaptation through the University website An application fee (approximately USD 50) will be charged which is non-refundable.
  • A passport is required for non-Kenyan citizens.

AFAS Masters Fellowships Required Documents

While applying for the 2026 AFAS Masters Fellowships, you will be required to submit the following documents;

  • Motivation & Reflection Statement (max. 1000 words, 1.5 space, 11 Calibri)
  • Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
  • Birth certificate
  • A recent passport photo 
  • Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
  • University Certified Diplomas/Bachelors/Masters certificates
  • University Certified Transcripts of academic records.
  • Two duly signed letters of recommendation

How To Apply for 2026 AFAS Masters Fellowships

To apply for the 2026 AFAS Masters Fellowships, follow the instructions we have outlined below; 

  • Read the information we have provided on this webpage and ensure your eligibility
  • All documents required should be prepared and submitted as one pdf document and, in the order listed above
  • Apply via the AFAS official site

Begin your application by clicking on the button below.

Deadline: March 31st, 2026


Click Here To Apply


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