Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarships 2026 | Applications and Qualification

The 2026/2027 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at SOAS University of London are now officially open for applications. Established by Sudanese-British billionaire and philanthropist Dr. Mo Ibrahim, the foundation focuses on strengthening governance and political leadership across Africa.

Scholarship Overview

Host Country	United Kingdom
Institution	SOAS University of London
Study Location	Study in United Kingdom
Eligible Countries	All African Countries
Requirements	Have a minimum 2:1 bachelor’s degree
Scholarship Category	Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
Reward	Full Scholarship
Application Closing Date	17th June, 2026

For the upcoming academic year, the foundation is offering highly competitive, fully funded 1-year Taught Master’s Scholarships to exceptional African nationals who demonstrate clear leadership potential and a dedicated interest in African governance and development policy.

Benefits of Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarships

The scholarship is structured as a comprehensive lump-sum grant of £45,479 GBP designed to cover all expenses without requiring out-of-pocket spending:

• Full Tuition Fees
• Maintenance Stipend of £45,479 per year

Related Scholarship Opportunities:

• SECAI AI Scholarship in Germany 2026
• Aston University Ernest Edward Scholarship 2026
• Canadian University Dubai Scholarship 2026
• CICOPS Scholarship 2026 at the University of Pavia

Candidate Eligibility Criteria

The selection panel implements strict baseline filters before reviewing personal profiles:

• Be a newly admitted student, starting in September 2026.
• Be an Overseas fee status applicant.
• Have a minimum 2:1 bachelor’s degree from a UK university or international equivalent.
• Hold an unconditional offer for their programme by the time the scholarship panel meet.

Required Documents for Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship 2026

To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;

• A copy of the unconditional offer received from SOAS admissions office.
• CV (please include your email address).
• Two pages max statement outlining knowledge and interest in governance-related issues.
• Your research proposal (as sent to the SOAS Admissions Office).
• One academic reference (to be sent directly by referee to ab17@soas.ac.uk).

How to Apply for Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarships

Because a prerequisite for the scholarship is holding an unconditional offer, you must start the university admission process immediately, as academic departments can take 4 to 6 weeks to process course applications.

1. Click on the application button below to Visit the Official Portal
2. Apply for a masters degree programs
3. Apply for the scholarship by 12 noon UK local time on 17 June 2026. You must apply for this scholarship via the admissions portal and will need to have applied for a course to get login credentials for this.
4. Write a comprehensive personal statement (maximum of 2 pages) detailing your understanding of and interest in governance-related issues facing Africa today.
5. Submit the online form before deadline.

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