Finding a genuine fully funded scholarship can feel stressful like a full-time job.
You search Google. You open what feels like twenty different tabs. You read through pages of eligibility requirements. Then, just when you think you’ve found the perfect opportunity, you discover the deadline passed months ago, or the scholarship isn’t available to students from your country.
If you’ve been through that experience, you’re not alone.
For many talented African women, the biggest obstacle to studying or building a career in technology and STEM isn’t a lack of talent. It’s the cost. Tuition, accommodation, research expenses, laptops, transport, and everyday living costs can quickly make higher education feel out of reach.
That’s why we’ve put together this list.
Below, you’ll find 11 scholarships, fellowships, and tech programs that can help African women study, research, or build a career in STEM. For each one, we’ve covered what it offers, who can apply, and how to get started.
Some are true full-ride scholarships. Others provide substantial financial support rather than covering every expense. So we’ve made that distinction clear, too, to help you know exactly what to expect.
One important note: scholarship deadlines and funding conditions change from year to year. So always confirm the latest information on the official program website before submitting an application.
DON’T MISS:Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026: Full Guide
Quick Overview: Which Scholarship Is Right for You?
| Program | Best For | Funding/Support | Typical Application Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | Undergraduate and Master’s students | Tuition, accommodation, laptop, stipend, and more | Depends on partner university |
| Schlumberger Faculty for the Future | PhD and postdoctoral STEM researchers | Up to $50,000/year for PhD | September–November |
| Generation Google Scholarship | Undergraduate women in computer science | €7,000 grant + mentorship/community | Usually mid-year |
| OWSD-Elsevier Awards | Early-career women scientists | $5,000 + conference trip | Usually around August |
| OWSD PhD Fellowships | Women pursuing STEM PhDs | Tuition, stipend, travel, and more | Funding dependent |
| African Girls Can Code Initiative | Young women and girls interested in technology | Fully sponsored coding and STEM training | Country-specific |
| She Code Africa Laptop Scholarship | Women who need a laptop for tech education/work | A laptop | Usually annual |
| Women Techsters Bootcamp | Beginners entering the technology industry | Free virtual training | Cohort-based |
| Google Women Techmakers Scholarships | Women in tech seeking community and partial funding | Varies by region | Region-dependent |
| AAUW International Fellowships | Women pursuing graduate STEM study in the US | $20,000–$50,000/year | August–September |
| Toptal Foundation Scholarships | Women in engineering/computer science | Varies | Rolling |
1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
If you’re looking for one of the biggest scholarship opportunities available to African students, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program deserves serious attention.
The program has committed nearly 40,000 scholarships since it launched in 2012 and works with universities and institutions across Africa and beyond.
One thing makes it particularly interesting for women in STEM: its focus on groups that have historically faced barriers to higher education. Recruitment across the continent specifically encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, and refugees or displaced students. At some partner universities, STEM and women’s participation get particular emphasis. At the University of Rwanda, for instance ,the program places special weight on women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
What does it cover?
Depending on the partner university and program, support can include:
- Full tuition
- Accommodation
- Learning materials
- A laptop
- Living support or stipend
- Mentorship
- Leadership development
- Internship and career support
Who can apply?
There isn’t one universal eligibility requirement, because the program runs through partner institutions. At the University of Rwanda, for example, applicants must have already applied for admission to the relevant program, hold a completed bachelor’s degree where required, be a Rwandan or African citizen (or a certified refugee), and demonstrate critical financial need alongside leadership potential. Other partner universities set their own citizenship, age, or academic requirements.
How do you apply?
You don’t normally apply through one central Mastercard Foundation portal. Instead, you apply through a participating university. The University of Rwanda, University of the Western Cape, African Leadership University, and others all run cohorts. So check each partner’s current announcements directly, and don’t wait on one university’s cycle before checking another. Deadlines vary by institution.
Official program page: mastercardfdn.org/scholars-program
2. Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship (FFTF)
For women who already have their sights set on a PhD or postdoctoral career in STEM, this is one of the most valuable opportunities on this list.
The program exists to close a real gap: it supports women scientists and engineers from developing and emerging countries pursuing PhD or postdoctoral research abroad. Unlike many scholarships that provide a fixed sum toward tuition, FFTF can offer substantial annual funding. In fact, by 2026, the program had funded 1,000 fellows globally over more than two decades.
What does it cover?
Eligible fellows can receive up to $50,000 per year for PhD study and up to $40,000 per year for postdoctoral research, contributing toward:
- Tuition and research costs
- Accommodation and travel
- Visa expenses and living costs
- Conference participation
- Child care support in some circumstances
Who is eligible?
You must be a female citizen of a developing country or emerging economy where women remain underrepresented in STEM (dual citizenship with a developed nation disqualifies you). You’ll also generally need to have applied to, been admitted to, or be enrolled in a PhD or postdoctoral program at a host institution outside your home country. A master’s degree alone doesn’t qualify. Strong academic performance, relevant research experience, and a clear intent to contribute to STEM development at home all strengthen an application.
When is the deadline?
FFTF runs on an annual cycle. For the upcoming round, the foundation confirms the online application system opens 1 September and closes 6 November. So check the official Faculty for the Future website to confirm dates before applying.
Official application portal: schlumbergerfoundation.com/applications
3. Generation Google Scholarship: Women in Computer Science
If you’re an African woman studying computer science or a closely related field, don’t overlook this one. It falls under Google’s EMEA region, which includes Africa.
Unlike some of the large full-ride scholarships on this list, this is a fixed financial award. Still, it can make a meaningful difference toward university expenses.
What does it cover?
Successful applicants can receive approximately €7,000, or the local equivalent, for the academic year</cite>. Recipients may also gain access to the Google and Women Tech makers communities, networking opportunities, Google events, and mentorship.
Who can apply?
The program targets women enrolled full-time in the second or third year of a bachelor’s degree at a recognized EMEA university, pursuing computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field, with plans to continue full-time study the following year. On top of that, Google weighs academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
When should you apply?
Recent EMEA cycles closed around 14 August, or earlier once a set number of applications is reached. Because Google can close the portal early, don’t wait until the final day. Instead, check the official Google Careers scholarships page as soon as the next cycle opens.
Official application portal: buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/scholarships
4. OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists
Not every opportunity has to pay your university tuition to be valuable. This one is designed for women who already hold a PhD and are making meaningful contributions through research.
The award recognizes early-career women scientists from the Global South and aims to boost their visibility within the international scientific community. Since it began, it has honoured 65 researchers from more than 35 countries.
What does it offer?
Each selected scientist receives a cash prize of USD 5,000, plus an all-expenses-paid trip to a relevant international conference. Five awards are given annually: one for each OWSD region, including Africa, plus a floating award.
Who can apply?
Applicants generally need to have completed a PhD within the last ten years and be living and working in an eligible Scientifically and Technologically Lagging Country. On top of that, they need a demonstrable research contribution aligned with that year’s SDG theme.
When is the deadline?
The most recent confirmed cycle closed31 August 2025, with future rounds following annually around the same late-August window. So check owsd.net directly, since exact dates shift slightly year to year.
Official application portal: owsd.net/awards
5. OWSD PhD Fellowships
This has historically been one of the most attractive funding routes for women from science and technology lagging countries who want to pursue doctoral research. But right now, it comes with an important caveat.
The fellowship has traditionally funded women from least-developed and 19 low-income science- and technology-lagging countries, including most African nations such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Angola, to pursue full-time or “sandwich” PhD research at a host institute in another developing country.
The catch: OWSD has publicly stated that there was no call for PhD applications in 2025 due to funding constraints, and the organization is working to secure funding for future rounds. Still, the program has historically awarded nearly 600 fellowships with an 80%+ completion rate, so it isn’t going away quietly. But don’t assume applications are open based on an old article. Instead, go directly to owsd.net/phd-fellowships and confirm the latest status before preparing an application.
What has it traditionally covered? Tuition, a monthly stipend, travel, medical insurance, and research-related support, depending on the funding cycle.
Official program page (check current status here): owsd.net/phd-fellowships
6. African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI)
You don’t have to be a university graduate to start building a career in technology.
AGCCI was launched by UN Women and the African Union Commission, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa. It’s aimed at girls and young women developing digital and STEM skills through fully sponsored bootcamps.
What can you learn? Programs can include coding, artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, digital entrepreneurship, leadership, and career development, often with mentorship from women already working in STEM. For example, recent cohorts include a 2026 South Africa camp that ran a 10-day residential bootcamp for young women at Motheo TVET College in Bloemfontein. Earlier camps brought together 100 girls and young women in Nairobi for training in digital skills, mentorship, and leadership.
Who can apply? Eligibility depends on the country and cohort. Some target secondary school girls, others include young women at different education stages.
How do you apply? There isn’t one continent-wide deadline. Follow UN Women country offices and local AGCCI announcements for opportunities in your country, and check regularly, since cohorts fill quickly.
Official program hub: unwomen.org – African Girls Can Code Initiative (check your country’s UN Women office page for the current application link)
7. She Code Africa Laptop Scholarship
Sometimes the biggest thing standing between someone and a career in technology isn’t tuition. It’s a laptop.
You can have the motivation to learn software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, or another digital skill. But without a reliable computer, practicing those skills becomes extremely difficult. That’s the problem this scholarship addresses: access to technology remains one of the biggest barriers for African women and girls building careers in tech, and the scholarship provides a laptop as a starting point to unlock learning and career opportunities.
What does it offer? A laptop to support your technology education or career, alongside the broader goal of removing practical barriers to participating in the digital economy.
When can you apply? The most recent round closed 23 April 2026 at 11:59 PM WAT</cite>. Follow She Code Africa’s official platforms so you don’t miss the next opening.
Official program page: shecodeafrica.org/initiatives
8. Women Techsters Bootcamp by Tech4Dev
If you’re completely new to technology and don’t know where to start, this is worth checking out.
Organized by Tech4Dev, the bootcamp is a free, three-week virtual program offering African women beginner-friendly training in high-demand tech skills, targeting beginners and early-stage learners exploring entry points into the technology sector. It also runs in cohorts, so there’s usually a new round opening within a few months of any previous one closing.
Who should consider it? Anyone new to tech, considering a career change, a student wanting practical digital skills, or simply looking for a free way to start learning. Keep an eye on Tech4Dev’s official announcements for the next cohort.
Official application portal: womentechsters.org (or tech4dev.com/programs/women-techsters)
9. Google Women Techmakers Scholarships
Google’s Women Techmakers community also supports women in technology through regional scholarship and education initiatives. It’s available in multiple regions including an Africa and Middle East track, with awards covering a portion of tuition costs for one academic year plus membership in the Women Techmakers community, access to Google events, and mentorship from Google engineers.
These aren’t always structured as one single global scholarship, and eligibility varies by region and program. So check the current regional opportunities rather than relying on an old listing.
Official portal: buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/scholarships (select the Women Techmakers track for your region)
10. AAUW International Fellowships
Not specifically for African women or STEM students, but African women in STEM are consistently eligible and represented among applicants.
The fellowship supports women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing full-time postgraduate studies in the United States in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines . In fact, it’s one of the longest-running and most prestigious funding programs for women’s education and leadership, established in 1917
What does it cover? Award amounts vary by category. Recent figures put master’s funding at $20,000 and doctoral funding at $25,000, while some listings awards of up to $50,000 depending on the fellowship category. Either way, funding can cover tuition, living expenses, and in some cases dependent child care and conference travel.
Who can apply? You must be a citizen of a country other than the USA, or hold a nonimmigrant visa if residing in the USA and hold the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree. You’ll also need to be admitted or enrolled in your first master’s or doctoral program at the time of application. A small number of awards also support study outside the US for members of Graduate Women International.
When is the deadline? Recent cycles opened in August and closed by late September. One listing places the window at 1 August through 30 September. Confirm exact dates on aauw.org before applying.
Official application portal: aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/aauw-international-fellowships
11. Toptal Foundation Scholarships and STEM Initiatives
The Toptal Foundation has supported initiatives designed to increase access to technology education. This includes programs aimed at women in engineering and computer science, open to applicants globally, African women included.
These opportunities aren’t necessarily available every year in the same format. So don’t assume an old scholarship announcement is still active. Instead, check the current Toptal Foundation initiatives and eligibility requirements directly before applying, and treat this as one more organization worth keeping on your scholarship radar rather than a guaranteed annual opportunity.
Official application portal: toptal.com/scholarships-for-women
How to Actually Improve Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship
Finding a scholarship is only half the job. The bigger challenge is convincing the selection committee that you’re the person they should invest in.
1. Talk about impact, not just ambition. Saying “I want to study computer science because technology is the future” isn’t enough. Thousands of applicants say the same thing. Instead, explain what you want to do with the opportunity: software that solves a problem in your community, research into cybersecurity vulnerabilities facing small businesses, or work addressing an agricultural, healthcare, or environmental challenge. Give the committee something concrete to remember.
2. Apply for scholarships that actually fit your level. Don’t spend three days on a beautiful application for a PhD fellowship when you’re still an undergraduate. Before writing your personal statement, check your academic level, country eligibility, field of study, age requirements, admission requirements, deadline, and required documents. Because eligibility comes before everything else.
3. Ask for recommendation letters early. Don’t email your lecturer the night before the deadline. Instead, give recommenders at least three to four weeks whenever possible. Send them your CV, academic information, and scholarship details so they can write something specific rather than generic.
4. Don’t put all your hopes on one scholarship. Fully funded scholarships are competitive. Even an excellent applicant can be rejected simply because there are more qualified candidates than places. Apply to several programs that genuinely match your profile. Think of your scholarship search as a portfolio, not a single gamble.
5. Always verify the deadline. Scholarship information changes, and a blog post published six months ago (including this one) can easily contain an outdated date. So before submitting anything, go to the official website and confirm the opening date, closing date, eligibility, funding, required documents, and application procedure. And never pay anyone who claims they can “secure” a scholarship for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these scholarships completely free?
Not all of them. Some, like the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and Schlumberger Faculty for the Future, provide very extensive financial support covering tuition, accommodation, and living costs. Others, like the Generation Google Scholarship, provide a fixed grant rather than paying every expense. So read exactly what each scholarship covers before applying.
Do I need university admission before applying?
It depends on the program. Fellowships like Schlumberger FFTF and AAUW generally require you to have already applied to or been admitted to an eligible institution. Programs like the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, on the other hand, often handle admission and funding together in one application through the partner university.
Can African women outside STEM apply?
Some can. Most programs in this guide are STEM-specific by design. But opportunities like the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program can cover a wider range of academic disciplines, depending on the partner university. So if your field isn’t STEM, check the program’s approved fields before ruling yourself out.
What is the biggest mistake scholarship applicants make?
Applying without carefully reading the eligibility requirements. A strong essay won’t save an application if you’re not eligible. Applicants also lose opportunities by submitting incomplete documents, missing deadlines, or using generic personal statements that could have been written for any scholarship. So take the time to understand what each scholarship is actually looking for.
Scholarship details, funding amounts, and deadlines shift year to year. Always confirm current information on each program’s official website before applying.