UKUDLA: Call for Master's Scholarship Applications Cohort 2, 2025

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The African-German Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science (UKUDLA) invites applications for full-time study scholarships for the master’s degree at one of our partner institutions. The master’s scholarships are funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Federal Foreign Office, Germany.

Application closing date (Cohort 2 African candidates): 21 July 2025

UKUDLA objectives

UKUDLA’s primary objective is to advance the expertise of Master’s and PhD students, early-career researchers, and university lecturers in agri-food systems and applied data science. It also aims to enhance teaching methodologies and mentorship programmes within these interdisciplinary fields.

For this purpose,scholarshipsfor food systems-related master’s studies are awarded to individuals from the target group described below and are selected through a competitive process.

By training future academic and professional leaders, the programme contributes to the following long-term impacts:

Qualified professionals’ involvement in the solution of agri-food systems and applied data science-related problems in Sub-Saharan Africa;

Graduates strengthening education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa;
Structural strengthening and regional networking of partner institutions and partner universities.

Research topics applicable to applications

The main focus of UKUDLA is the intersection between sustainable food systems research and data sciences. If your research interest aligns with this area, we encourage you to apply.

Students in the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

Data sciences (especially with applications to food systems challenges)
Water–Energy–Food (WEF) nexus
Farming systems and animal sciences
Agricultural economics and policy

Participating institutions

Successful candidates will undertake full-time study for the master’s degree at one of the institutions that form part of the network, namely the University of Mpumalanga, the University of Pretoria (South Africa) or the Lilongwe University of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Malawi).

Place of tenure

For the duration of the degree, successful candidates must be based in the city or town of their registered university.

Scholarship benefits

The scholarship holder will become a member of the UKUDLA German African Centre of Excellence for Food Systems and Data Science.
For UP and UMP applicants: A monthly stipend of EUR 650 (basic rate) + EUR 30 rent subsidy (in case a place on campus or in halls of residence is not provided) will be provided to students for the maximum duration of two years (or until the end of 2027). Additionally, a contribution to medical aid can be included up to EUR 20 per month (medical aid contract and proof of payment must be provided).
For LUANAR applicants: A monthly stipend of EUR 220 (basic rate) + EUR 30 rent subsidy (in case a place on campus or in halls of residence is not provided) will be provided to students for the maximum duration of two years (or until the end of 2027). Additionally, a contribution to medical aid can be included up to EUR 20 per month (medical aid contract and proof of payment must be provided).
Payment schedules may vary according to the procedures of the home institutions. Tuition fees will be covered by the UKUDLA scholarship up to EUR 3000 per year.
The UKUDLA Graduate Centre educational modules, short courses, summer schools and workshops are integral to the UKUDLA project. Scholarship holders will have an opportunity to apply to participate in these activities.

Target group

Candidates who have completed, or are soon to complete, an honours or four-year Bachelor’s degree in a discipline broadly linked to food systems or data sciences, with an interest in their intersection.
Candidates who have an average of 68% or higher must have achieved this in the first degree, awarded by an internationally recognised university.
Candidates who are prepared to undertake the master’s degree as full-time students.
Candidates who have English language proficiency, with one of the following qualifications as a minimum requirement: TOEFL 79/80 points or IELTS Band 6. Candidates who can prove that English has been the language of instruction at least since secondary school will also be considered.

Application requirements

Graduates with a first academic degree, who have successfully completed a four-year university degree, equivalent to BSc Hons (NQF-level 8), with above average results (at least 68% overall average / Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent, as applicable);
Clearly show motivation and strong commitment through a written statement;
Have completed their last university degree not more than 6 years ago at the time of application (from 2019 onwards);
Must already be in the African country of the institution where they are applying to study, either as a national or permanent resident, or with a valid study visa;
For LUANAR applicants: If you intend to study at LUANAR starting 1 September 2025, you must already have been accepted into a master’s programme at LUANAR.
For UP or UMP applicants: If you intend to study at the University of Pretoria (UP) or the University of Mpumalanga (UMP), you must submit a support letter from a potential supervisor for your master’s programme. For UP and UMP, the scholarship will only commence on 1 February 2026, and recipients will need to successfully complete their current academic year (if applicable) and secure acceptance into a master’s programme before the scholarship takes effect.
Candidates must be able to supply two academic references (of which one must be from your potential master’s supervisor).
Two DAAD grants cannot be awarded to the same person during the same period (no double funding).

Please note: The University from the network that you choose might have additional requirements for admission to the university. It is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of what these are and to be compliant.

Application and selection procedure for Master’s students

As a first step, all applicants must submit a completed application form, which can be completed here.

The following attachments must be uploaded:

Completed and signed master’s research project proposal using the form available to download here.
A copy of your National Identification Card or, if not applicable, a copy of your passport.
Two recent academic recommendation letters signed by two different university teachers (which provide information about your qualifications and your academic performance).
Letter of admission from the host university (this can be subsequently submitted before the scholarship begins if it is not available at the time of application).
Certified copies of university degree certificates, including transcripts.

Evidence of English proficiency (TOEFL 79/80 points or IELTS Band 6 or English as the language of instruction at least since secondary school).

The application form also requires a motivational statement (250 words each on your research interest, how the scholarship will impact your career path, what impact it will have on your community or environment and a description of your academic and career journey).

Selection procedure

Applications will go through an administrative review to ensure all qualifying criteria are met. If an application meets the specified criteria and the research topic is relevant to the theme of sustainable, resilient food systems and data science, it will be sent for review by the selection committee. Applications will be peer-reviewed by two selection committee members using a rating rubric. The research proposal will be weighted according to its importance. A shortlist will be produced, and selected candidates will be invited to participate in an online interview.

The successful candidates will be informed before 20 August 2025. Successful applicants for LUANAR will commence their studies in September 2025, and applicants for UMP/UP will commence their studies in February 2026.

Payment of scholarship funds

The award of the scholarship is dependent on acceptance of the student’s registration at the institution of choice.

The scholarship funds will be paid directly to the scholarship holder’s student account. Further details will be communicated after admission to the scholarship programme in the Letter of Award and the scholarship agreement.

Payments cannot be made in advance/prior to the scholarship start date and the commencement of studies at the host institution. Furthermore, no additional benefits other than those listed in this call for applications, such as benefits for family members, can be made.

Duration and continuation of scholarship

Scholarships are awarded for the duration of the standard period of study for the master’s programme (maximum 24 months). After the first year of study, your academic achievements will be assessed to ensure that you will successfully complete your studies within an acceptable time frame. You will, therefore, be required to provide evidence of your progress on an annual basis.

Continuation to Year 2 depends on a satisfactory written progress report from the supervisor, indicating that, at the very least, the literature review and proposal have been completed, as well as the successful participation in additional training measures of the UKUDLA Graduate Centre. Where assessments indicate that studies will not be completed successfully, UKUDLA reserves the right to discontinue scholarship payments.