MINDS Scholarship Programme | Postgraduate Study in Africa
The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) Scholarship Programme funds young African leaders pursuing postgraduate study — Honours or Master’s — in another African country, building genuine cross-cultural leadership experience along the way. Applications run on a genuinely rolling basis, with no fixed annual deadline — confirmed consistently across multiple current sources, including one updated as recently as July 2026.
MINDS Scholarship Programme Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development |
| Host ⇒ | Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS), Johannesburg |
| Study Level ⇒ | Postgraduate | Master’s |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | African citizens residing in any African country |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full or partial funding — tuition, accommodation, meals, flight, stipend |
| Application Status ⇒ | Rolling admissions, reviewed in order of submission — no fixed closing date |
About the Programme
Founded by Dr Nkosana Moyo and launched in 2017, MINDS is a pan-African think tank based in Johannesburg, built to address Africa’s development challenges holistically. This scholarship specifically emphasises Pan-Africanism — funding Africans to study outside their own country, immersing themselves in a different African culture and academic environment, while participating in tailored leadership development activities designed to build genuine cross-continental cooperation.
The programme supports full-time study across any field, though current allocations show particular strength in Actuarial Sciences, Business Sciences, and Accounting, with a notably strong applicant pipeline from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria — worth knowing if you’re weighing which field might genuinely improve your odds. Still, applicants in any discipline remain fully eligible.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a citizen of an African country, residing in any African country
- Have already secured formal admission to a MINDS-preferred institution, located outside your own country of citizenship and residency
- Be pursuing full-time postgraduate study (Honours or Master’s), starting within the following academic year
- Have achieved at least 70% in each subject or course across the last two completed years of study
- Demonstrate genuine leadership ability or potential, through prior experience or roles held
- Submit a complete online application with every required supporting document
You cannot apply to study in your own country of citizenship or residence — the entire premise of this scholarship is cross-border African study.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation and meals
- One return flight ticket for the duration of the programme
- A fixed monthly stipend, calculated individually per recipient
- Participation in structured leadership development activities alongside your academic studies
Duration typically matches your chosen Honours or Master’s programme — usually one to two years.
Required Documents
- The data/bio page of your passport
- Academic transcripts or result slips covering the last two years
- Your university acceptance letter, including your name, degree programme, academic year of commencement, and programme duration
- A study visa or permit, optional but recommended
- A CV, maximum four single-sided pages
- Two reference letters (maximum three pages each), addressing your integrity, leadership potential or experience, and commitment to Africa’s development
Every document must be submitted as a PDF, no larger than 2MB.
How to Apply
- First secure formal admission into a postgraduate programme at a MINDS-preferred institution, located outside your own country
- Gather every required document in the specified format
- Visit the official MINDS application portal
- Complete the online application form carefully and fully — incomplete or inaccurate applications are disqualified
- Upload all supporting documents and submit
- You’ll receive a confirmation email once your application is successfully submitted
- MINDS typically responds within two months of submission
For any queries, contact MINDS directly at [email protected] — the organisation asks that you not reach out if a specific listing has already closed elsewhere.
Official Application Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MINDS Scholarship have a fixed application deadline?
No. Applications run on a genuinely rolling basis year-round, reviewed in the order they’re submitted — there’s no fixed annual closing date.
Can I apply to study in my own country under this scholarship?
No. You must study at a MINDS-preferred institution located outside your own country of citizenship and residency — this is central to the programme’s cross-border, Pan-African design.
Which fields does the MINDS Scholarship currently favour?
It’s open to any field, but current allocations show particular strength in Actuarial Sciences, Business Sciences, and Accounting, with a strong applicant pipeline from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria specifically.
Who founded MINDS, and where is it based?
Dr Nkosana Moyo founded MINDS, which is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.
How long does it take to hear back after submitting an application?
MINDS typically responds within two months of a complete application submission.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details were verified against MINDS’ own materials and multiple independent, current sources as of August 2026. Requirements and preferred institutions can change — always confirm current details directly at [email protected] or the official MINDS application portal before applying.
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