The European Union, in partnership with the African Union, has officially opened applications for the 2026 LASOMA Scholarship program targeting African students. The LASOMA (Laser-Enabled Manufacturing of Solar Systems) initiative offers prestigious, fully sponsored postgraduate degrees designed to develop advanced engineering capacity across the continent.
Scholarship Overview
| Host Countries | Spain | Nigeria | Ghana | Kenya |
| Institution | African Universities |
| Study Location | African Countries |
| Eligible Countries | Nigeria | Ghana | Kenya |
| Requirements | Citizen and permanent resident of an eligible African |
| Scholarship Category | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships |
| Reward | Full Tuition | Monthly Stipends | Health Insurance | Travel Support |
| Application Closing Date | 22nd June, 2026 |
Covering full tuition, comprehensive medical coverage, and competitive living stipends, this flagship program is an incredible opportunity for African researchers aiming to make an impact in green technology. In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know about the LASOMA Scholarship, its core benefits, eligibility parameters, and a step-by-step breakdown of the application process.
Benefits of European Union LASOMA Scholarship 2026
The European Union provides complete financial coverage for the duration of the 2-year Master’s or 3-year PhD tracks:
- 100% fully covered by European Commission funding.
- Monthly Living Stipend: Master’s Candidates; €890 per month, PhD Candidates; €1,230 per month (totaling up to €14,760 per year)
- Full health and accident insurance coverage throughout the academic stay.
- Access to cutting-edge laser manufacturing tools, consumables, and laboratory hardware at partner institutions.
- Travel tickets for the mandatory Preparatory Graduate School, research exchanges, and international conferences.
- Active collaboration opportunities with high-tier sector partners (such as BStars and DWA).
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Eligibility Criteria
To successfully qualify for the LaSoMa Academic Mobility scheme, applicants must fulfill the following benchmarks:
- A citizen and permanent resident of an eligible African nation at the time of processing.
- Must hold a recognized Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s applicants) or Master’s degree (for PhD applicants) in an Engineering discipline or heavily related scientific field.
- Under the Intra-Africa scheme rules, selected students must complete their mobility program in a country outside their home nation (e.g., a Ghanaian student must choose a host university in Kenya or Nigeria).
- You must not have previously benefited from an Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme scholarship between 2022 and 2027.
- The selection committee strictly enforces target metrics of 30% inclusion for women and 10% for applicants with special needs. Underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.
- Proposed project briefs must strictly focus on laser manufacturing, solar system modeling, AI-driven production, or climate mitigation.
Required Application Documents
Candidates must prepare clear, certified PDF copies of the following documents for the portal upload:
- Duly completed online application form.
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) — maximum of 4 pages.
- Certified Academic Transcripts and Graduation Certificates.
- A comprehensive LaSoMa Research Proposal tailored to core project pillars.
- A 500-word Motivation Letter detailing your research intent.
- Two official recommendation letters/forms.
- For PhD Applicants Only: A link to a 2-minute elevator pitch video introducing yourself and your research scope.
- Signed Intra-Africa/ACP declaration form.
How to Apply for the LASOMA Scholarship 2026
Click on the APPLICATION LINK below to ensure your application passes the preliminary screening phase:
Step 1: Pre-Contact the Institution
Before submitting anything on the central site, contact your preferred host university’s academic coordinator. Confirm they offer your specific engineering focus and request guidance on refining your research proposal.
Step 2: Access the Application Portal
Navigate to the official LaSoMa application webpage. Read through the specific country-level guidelines.
Step 3: Complete the Profile & Document Upload
Click on the “Apply for LaSoMa Scholarship” button. Fill out the application fields carefully and upload all your required documents in clean PDF format.
Step 4: Final Submission & Reference Retrieval
Review your data for accuracy before clicking submit. Once sent, look out for a confirmation email containing your unique application reference number.
Step 5: Interview Phase
Eligible profiles are scored out of a maximum of 70 points based on transcripts, proposals, and recommendations. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online panel interview evaluated on technical capacity, teamwork potential, and innovative thinking (valued at an additional 70 points).
Important Note: Final selection decisions are dispatched directly to the applicants’ registered emails within 4 to 6 weeks following the June 22 closing deadline. Coursework is slated to commence in September 2026.
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