Applications are now open for the German Government WASCAL Scholarship 2026/27 for eligible and qualified students from West African countries.
The scholarship is offered through a partnership between the German Government and the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) to support postgraduate education and research in climate change and related fields.
The WASCAL Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity that allows selected students to study in West African universities and Germany, covering tuition fees, accommodation, travel costs, and monthly stipends.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Countries: Germany | Ghana | Cape Verde | Burkina Faso
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: West African Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Living Stipends | Accommodation | Travel Costs | Laptop
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: March 22, 2026
Scholarship Details
The German Government WASCAL Scholarship supports postgraduate students through specialized Master Research Programmes focused on climate change and environmental sustainability.
The Atlantic Technical University in Cabo Verde is currently accepting applications for the second cohort of the Master Research Programme on Climate Change & Marine Sciences (MRP-CCMS).
Similarly, the Université Joseph KI-ZERBO in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, has opened applications for the fifth cohort of the Master Research Programme in Informatics for Climate Change (MRP-ICC).
The scholarship program is open to students from 12 West African countries, representing an important effort to train and empower the next generation of climate scientists, researchers, and policy experts in the region.
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and several renowned German universities, the WASCAL scholarship provides students with high-quality academic training, international exposure, and the resources required to address climate-related challenges in Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the WASCAL Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a WASCAL member country:
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cabo Verde
- Côte d’Ivoire
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Mali
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Togo
- Applicants from other ECOWAS countries may be admitted without scholarship depending on available spaces
- Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following or related fields:
- Biological Sciences
- Oceanography
- Geography
- Atmospheric Sciences
- Have at least an intermediate level of English language proficiency
Scholarship Benefits
Selected applicants will receive:
- Monthly stipends to cover living expenses and accommodation
- Full payment of university tuition fees
- Round-trip flight tickets
- Accommodation support
- Opportunities for academic travel to selected West African countries and Germany
- Research budget support
- A personal laptop (on loan) for the duration of the program
Required Documents
To apply for the scholarship, applicants must prepare the following documents:
- Completed Application Form
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- WASSCE or SSCE Certificate (for applicants from Anglophone countries)
- Two letters of recommendation from professors or researchers (minimum rank of Associate Professor or Senior Researcher)
- Copy of a valid identity document
- Copy of passport photo page
- Letter of motivation (maximum two pages)
- University degree certificate
- English proficiency certificate or a self-assessment statement explaining English proficiency
- Proof of relevant professional experience (if applicable)
- Written commitment to pay a €30 registration fee if admitted
- NOTE: The required documents may vary depending on the selected program.
How to Apply
To apply for the scholarship:
- Visit the WASCAL scholarship webpage
- Select one of the available fully funded Master’s programs
- Carefully review the guidelines and details for your chosen program
- Download and correctly complete the application form
- Prepare all required application documents according to the naming guidelines provided
- Submit your application via email to the appropriate WASCAL address
All applications must be submitted before the deadline.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interviews.
To begin the scholarship application process, click HERE
To receive more scholarship updates, click HERE
To receive more scholarship updates, click HERE
