Academia season is near, and for those seeking to advance their careers and studies without the financial strain, there are a number of opportunities to apply for. In this article, The New Times has curated top scholarships and fellowships spanning writing, leadership, research, and more. Fully Funded MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is inviting applications for its Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa, which supports postgraduate students committed to the continent’s development and integration. Launched in 2017, the programme allows recipients to pursue Honours or Master’s degrees at accredited universities in African countries other than their own. The cross-border model promotes cultural exchange and builds a network of emerging Pan-African leaders. The scholarship provides full or partial funding, which may cover tuition fees, accommodation and meals, a return flight during the study period, and a fixed stipend. Scholars also take part in leadership development activities designed to prepare them as catalysts for change. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submissions are encouraged. Details and the application form are available on the official MINDS website. Thiel Fellowship 2025 The Thiel Fellowship is accepting applications for its 2025 cohort. The two-year program awards $200,000 to young innovators who want to build companies, products or research outside a university setting. Fellows gain funding and access to the Thiel Foundation’s network of founders, investors and scientists. Benefits: Fellows receive $200,000 disbursed over two years. The foundation does not take equity in recipients’ ventures. Fellows remain based around the world and are not required to relocate. Eligibility and requirements: Applicants must be 22 or younger and must not hold a university degree. If selected while enrolled in school, recipients must leave school to accept the fellowship. Candidates apply as individuals and do not need to have an incorporated company or a finished product, but must show meaningful progress toward a clear vision. Apply and learn more at: https://thielfellowship.org/apply. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards The Commonwealth Youth Programme is calling for nominations for the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, which recognize young people aged 15 to 29 who are driving impactful, sustainable development in their communities. Eligible nominees must have been involved in development work for more than 12 months, either professionally or as volunteers. They must be citizens of a Commonwealth member country, and their work must be taking place in a Commonwealth nation. Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by someone familiar with their work. Four finalists will be selected from each Commonwealth region. The top entry from each region will receive a Regional Winner Award, and one will be named the Pan-Commonwealth Winner and Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2026. The 20 Regional Finalists will each receive a £1,000 grant, a trophy and a certificate. Regional Winners will receive an additional £2,000, while the Pan-Commonwealth Winner will earn an extra £2,000, bringing their total award to £5,000. Winners will be announced during Commonwealth Week in March 2026. Nominations close via the official platform. Morland African Writing Scholarships 2025 The Miles Morland Foundation is accepting applications for the 2025 Morland African Writing Scholarships, which award £18,000 (Approx. Rwf35 million) to help African writers complete the first draft of a full-length work of fiction or nonfiction. Open to writers born in Africa or whose parents were both born in Africa, the program offers one year of dedicated writing time, with extensions available for nonfiction projects requiring research. The scholarship covers adult fiction and nonfiction only. Poetry, plays, film scripts, children’s books, and short story collections are not eligible. Recipients receive monthly payments over 12 months, with possible funding for up to 18 months for nonfiction. Support includes time to focus on writing and feedback from an expert panel of judges. Applicants must submit a 2,000 to 5,000-word excerpt from a published work in English that has been offered for sale, along with clear evidence of publication and sales. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of readers and judges. Applications close Sept. 22. For more information, email scholarships@milesmorlandfoundation.com. Graduate Horizons: Master’s Scholarship Application Support Students from forced displacement backgrounds, including refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and stateless individuals, can now apply for Graduate Horizons, a six-month programme by the Refugee-Led Research Hub offering tailored support to secure fully funded Master’s scholarships starting in 2026. The programme connects participants with more than 500 scholarship opportunities at over 25 universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Sciences Po, Makerere University, the University of Cape Town, McGill University, the University of Toronto, Arizona State University, the University of Rwanda and Carnegie Mellon Africa. Participants receive mentorship from alumni of leading Master’s programmes, one-on-one coaching and workshops to strengthen applications, personal statements and CVs. They will also engage directly with universities and be guided to submit at least four strong applications by the programme’s end. Applications close Sunday, August 24, at 5 p.m. BST. Georg Forster Research Fellowship The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation offers the Georg Forster Research Fellowship to postdoctoral and experienced researchers from developing and emerging countries with above-average qualifications. Female scientists are especially encouraged to apply. The fellowship supports research that addresses sustainable development challenges relevant to the applicant’s home region. Recipients conduct their research at a German institution of their choice, collaborating with a host who may also apply for funding to cover research costs. Postdoctoral fellows receive €2,700 per month for 6 to 24 months, which can be split into up to three stays within three years. Experienced researchers receive €3,200 per month for 6 to 18 months, also divided into up to three stays over three years. Applications are reviewed three times yearly—in February, June, and October. Apply and learn more here. Maximize these opportunities by either applying yourself or sharing them with potential candidates. Stay updated on the latest opportunities throughout Rwanda by visiting The New Times' Jobs and Tender profile, and follow our social media platforms for daily postings.
