Kisii University Unveils Fully Funded STEM Master's Scholarships, Paving Path to PhD for Young Kenyans
Ten prestigious awards, supported by the African Development Fund, target young Kenyans to enhance research and drive economic growth.
Kisii University has initiated a significant opportunity for young Kenyan scholars, announcing ten fully funded Master's scholarships in vital Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. These prestigious awards, supported by the African Development Fund's Higher Education Science and Technology (HEST) Phase II project, are uniquely structured to offer a direct progression route into a PhD programme upon successful completion of the Master's studies.
The comprehensive scholarship package is designed to cover all tuition fees and research costs for the entire duration of the Master's programme. Successful candidates will also gain valuable professional experience by serving as Graduate Assistants at their respective host institutions, with all programmes slated to commence in August 2026.
Eligibility for these highly competitive scholarships is restricted to Kenyan citizens who are under 30 years of age. Applicants must possess a minimum of a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree in a relevant undergraduate field from an accredited university. Furthermore, candidates are required to be registered or registrable with any applicable professional or regulatory bodies. Kisii University expressly encourages applications from persons with disabilities, aligning with broader national goals of inclusivity in higher education. This initiative underscores Kenya's commitment to cultivating a robust STEM workforce, crucial for driving innovation and achieving the nation's economic growth and employment targets by 2030, a vision with significant implications for East Africa's regional development.
The ten available slots are strategically distributed across four key programmes to address critical national needs. Information Technology and Biomedical Sciences will each have two and three positions respectively, both tenable at Kisii University. Nursing will offer three scholarships, hosted at Chuka University, while Medicine will provide two opportunities at Moi University, diversifying the institutional impact of the initiative.
Recipients of these scholarships will be formally bonded under the terms and conditions stipulated by Kisii University, obligating them to complete their studies within the prescribed timeframe. A cornerstone of this award is the explicit expectation for scholars to transition seamlessly into a PhD programme under the same funding umbrella, solidifying the pathway to advanced doctoral qualifications.
Prospective applicants can access detailed application forms on the Kisii University website, www.kisiiuniversity.ac.ke. Completed applications must be submitted to the Vice Chancellor's office, P.O. Box 408-40200, Kisii, by 5:00 p.m. on August 25, 2026. This report was compiled from information originally published by TUKO.