International Scholarships: Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship 2026 at SOAS
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🌍 SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW & FINANCIAL MATRIX
- Funding Body: The Mo Ibrahim Foundation & SOAS University of London
- Award Name: Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship
- Total Award Value: £45,479 per scholar (Covers full tuition fees + remaining paid as a maintenance stipend)
- Slots Available: 2 Awards for the 2026/2027 academic cycle
- Eligible Programs: Any full-time, 1-year taught master’s degree program at SOAS
- Application Deadline: 17 June 2026 (12:00 Noon UK Local Time)
The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, in partnership with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, has officially opened applications for the prestigious Mo Ibrahim foundation scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year. Founded by Dr. Mo Ibrahim, the foundation is a prominent African organization dedicated to strengthening leadership, public policy, and corporate governance across the African continent.
This elite Mo Ibrahim foundation scholarship postgraduate award is designed to identify, support, and nurture future African leaders, researchers, and policymakers who demonstrate an uncompromised commitment to advancing sub-Saharan and regional African development.
Core Program Benefits and Financial Allocation
The Mo Ibrahim foundation scholarship offers a comprehensive financial package structured to allow scholars to focus entirely on their intensive postgraduate research.
- Total Financial Package: Each of the two selected laureates will receive a total allocation of £45,479.
- Tuition Fee Settlement: SOAS will automatically deduct international/overseas tuition fees directly from the total grant amount.
- Living Allowances: The remaining balance of the award is disbursed directly to the student in scheduled installments as a maintenance stipend to cover accommodation, textbooks, subsistence, and London living expenses.
- Note: This funding framework is strictly for full-time, 1-year taught master’s courses and does not accommodate or finance pre-sessional language or foundational programs.
Candidate Specifications & Academic Eligibility Criteria
The international scholarship panel enforces a strict selection standard based on academic excellence and a demonstrated alignment with African institutional governance.
| Criteria Category | Institutional Selection Standard & Prerequisites |
| Residency & Origin | Preference Track: Given to applicants who are ordinarily resident in an African country. |
| Academic Performance | Must hold a Minimum of a 2:1 (Upper Second Class) bachelor’s honours degree from a UK university or a verified international equivalent. |
| Fee & Enrollment Status | Must be classified under an Overseas Fee Status and be a new admission student commencing studies in September 2026. |
| Offer Requirement | Must hold an Unconditional Offer of admission from SOAS by the time the official scholarship panel convenes. |
| Core Strategic Focus | Demonstrable, verifiably clear interest in advancing governance, public policy, economic resilience, and/or sustainable development in Africa. |
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Step-by-Step Application Guidelines and Selection Protocol
Prospective scholars matching the person profile for the Mo Ibrahim foundation scholarship must meticulously execute a dual-stage application process through the centralized SOAS admissions network.
Step 1: Secure Your Postgraduate Academic Admission
The Mo Ibrahim foundation scholarship applicants must first submit a formal application for their chosen full-time 1-year taught master’s degree program via the SOAS taught master’s application platform. Because the scholarship requires an unconditional course offer, applications for admission must be logged as early as possible. Standard departmental review cycles take up to 4 weeks, extending to 6 weeks during peak processing periods.
Step 2: Submit the Scholarship Portal Application
Once your course application is logged, use your newly generated admissions portal credentials to access the scholarship module. Complete the specialized Mo Ibrahim foundation scholarship application form before the absolute deadline of 12:00 noon UK local time on 17 June 2026. Late, partial, or unsubmitted drafts will be permanently filtered out of the selection engine.
Mandatory Policy on Generative AI Utilization
The scholarship board mandates that candidates must not use generative AI tools to author their scholarship personal statements or application essays. However, applicants are permitted to use AI tools for basic grammar checks, spelling verification, or structural essay planning. Discovery of AI-generated prose inside application statements will result in immediate disqualification.
Candidate Assessment and Notification of Results
The Mo Ibrahim foundation scholarship evaluation panel reviews candidate dossiers based on academic merit, professional reference letters, and the depth of the personal statement. Shortlisted profiles are cross-examined to evaluate their potential to drive structural transformation in Africa upon graduation.
The formal shortlisting and awarding cycles are expected to conclude by mid-July 2026 at the earliest. Successful recipients will receive direct electronic confirmation first. Once all financial allocations are confirmed and accepted, notifications will be broadcast to unsuccessful candidates.
Departmental Contact Information:
- For academic course application queries, contact:
mastersadmissions@soas.ac.uk - For dedicated scholarship procedural inquiries, contact:
scholarships@soas.ac.uk
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