The United Nations has announced the call for applications for the 2026 UNICORE Scholarship Program for eligible African refugees.
The UNICORE Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded opportunity to study in Italy, covering full tuition, travel costs, visa expenses, and living stipends for selected candidates pursuing postgraduate studies at participating Italian universities.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: United Nations
- Host Country: Italy
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: African Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Living Stipends | Travel Costs | Mentorship
- IELTS Requirement: No IELTS Required
- Deadline: April 17, 2026
Scholarship Details
Applications are currently open for the UNICORE Scholarship 2026, a special initiative that supports refugees from Africa to pursue higher education in Italian universities. The University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE 8.0) project is promoted by several Italian universities in collaboration with global and humanitarian organizations.
The program is supported by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas Italiana, Diaconia Valdese, Centro Astalli, and other partners.
The scholarship aims to expand access to higher education for refugees currently residing in selected countries including Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, enabling them to pursue master’s degrees at participating universities in Italy.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the UNICORE Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be residing in one of the eligible countries and have recognized refugee status in collaboration with UNHCR
- Hold a qualification that allows admission to the selected Second Cycle Degree Programme (Master’s)
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 based on the grading system of the country of graduation or its equivalent according to the Italian Ministry of Education’s comparison table
- Hold a degree obtained in or after 2020 and not later than the application deadline
- (Some universities may not apply this time limit, applicants should check individual calls)
- Meet the specific admission requirements of the selected master’s programme
- Not have previously enrolled in a degree programme at any of the partner universities
- Demonstrate proficiency in the English language
Scholarship Benefits
Selected candidates for the UNICORE Scholarship Program will begin their studies in September 2026 at one of the 37 participating universities in Italy.
The scholarship provides:
- Full tuition fee exemption at participating Italian universities
- Financial support for visa expenses and flight tickets
- A study grant to cover living expenses in Italy
- Academic guidance and mentorship from UNICORE partners throughout the study period
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents for submission:
- Refugee ID card or proof of refugee registration
- Certificate confirming qualification required for admission to the chosen degree programme
- Academic transcripts with grades obtained
- GPA documentation
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation Letter
- Any additional documents required by the selected programmes
How to Apply
To apply for the UNICORE Scholarship 2026, interested and qualified candidates should:
- Click the application link to begin the scholarship process
- Note that each participating university manages its own admission and selection process
- Carefully review the individual call for applications from the university you choose, as requirements may vary
To begin the scholarship application process, click HERE
To receive more scholarship updates, click HERE
To join EDUSPUR WhatsApp Channel, click HERE
