KNUST Africa Health Collaborative Scholarships 2026: A Transformative Opportunity for African Health Leaders
- Omran Aburayya
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
If you are a health professional, researcher, or aspiring scholar committed to strengthening health systems in Africa, the Mastercard Foundation–Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) in partnership with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is offering fully funded scholarships for advanced degrees. These scholarships aim to train a new generation of leaders in public health, health systems management, epidemiology, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and health entrepreneurship. The goal is not just education, but to build capacity in African health ecosystems, improve primary health care, and drive innovation at the intersection of health and business.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Kumasi, Ghana (KNUST)
Host Institution: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Scholarship Partner: Mastercard Foundation, via the Africa Health Collaborative
Target Group: Graduating or alumni students from AHC partner universities; health professionals from Ghana or other partner countries
Number of Awards: Over 100 scholars reported in previous cohorts.
Coverage: Fully funded — tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and research support.
Application Deadline: 22 December 2025
Contact: hcmcf@knust.edu.gh | +233 500 473 634
📚 Available Study Programmes and Levels
Here are the study programmes offered under the KNUST Africa Health Collaborative Scholarship:
Master’s / MPH / MSc Levels:
MSc Health Entrepreneurship
MPH / MSc in Health Services Planning and Management (HSPM)
MPH / MSc in Global Health & Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
MPhil (Master of Philosophy) Levels:
MPhil in Health Systems Research & Management (HSRM)
MPhil in Field Epidemiology & Applied Biostatistics (FEAB)
PhD / Doctoral Levels:
PhD in Public Health, specializing in Field Epidemiology & Applied Biostatistics (FEAB)
PhD in Public Health, specializing in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Diploma Programs (via KNUST Institute of Distance Learning):
Diploma in Health Communication
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science
Diploma in Health Information Management
🔗 You can access the application links for each programme from this webpage
👌🏻 Why This Scholarship Matters
Capacity Building in Africa: The scholarship aligns with the AHC’s goal to strengthen primary health care (PHC) across Africa by training health professionals in critical areas such as systems management, epidemiology, and NCDs.
Health Entrepreneurship: With a dedicated Master’s in Health Entrepreneurship, it supports health innovation and job creation within African health ecosystems.
Research & Leadership: PhD and MPhil tracks are designed to produce research leaders who can contribute to disease prevention, pandemic preparedness, and health systems strengthening.
Inclusive Network: Through its network of partner universities, the program fosters cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing across Africa.
Sustainable Impact: Scholars are expected to contribute back to local health systems, ensuring that training translates into meaningful improvements.
🎁 Benefits of the Scholarship
Successful applicants receive comprehensive financial support, including:
Tuition waiver for the selected postgraduate programme.
Monthly stipends to support living costs while studying.
Accommodation (hostel or other).
Research support, such as funds for fieldwork or data analysis.
Full scholarship aligned with a professional mission: recipients are often health professionals or researchers committed to contributing to health in their home countries.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the KNUST Africa Health Collaborative Scholarship:
You must be a graduate or graduating student of a partner university in the Africa Health Collaborative network.
For master’s and MPH-level programmes: a first degree in a related field (health sciences, social sciences) from a recognized institution.
For MPhil programmes: a relevant first degree and possibly professional experience, depending on the track.
For PhD programmes: a master’s degree (MSc/MPhil) with a minimum grade (for KNUST, MPhil CWA of at least 65% is mentioned).
Primary healthcare professionals at community, district, or municipal level are especially encouraged to apply.
Proficiency in English is required.
For PhD in NCDs: Applicants should demonstrate research interest in areas like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, road traffic accidents, or digital health.
Female applicants are especially encouraged.
📝 Application Process
Dual Application Required: You must apply both to the programme (via KNUST Admissions) and to the Africa Health Collaborative Scholarship portal.
Programme Application:
For Ghanaian applicants: purchase a KNUST postgraduate e-voucher (via USSD 41555#) or from the admissions portal.
For international applicants: complete the international postgraduate application form on KNUST’s portal.
Scholarship Application: Once the programme application is underway, apply for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship through the Africa Health Collaborative portal.
Supporting Documents: Expect to submit academic transcripts, a research proposal (for MPhil / PhD), CV, and references.
Selection: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews or further assessment, depending on the programme track.
Notification: Successful candidates are notified after evaluation by both KNUST and the Health Collaborative.
🚀 Tips for Applicants
Highlight your commitment to Africa: Emphasize how you plan to use your degree to contribute to health systems or communities in your home country.
Be clear on your research interests: Especially for MPhil and PhD tracks, clearly describe your intended research area (e.g., NCDs, epidemiology, health systems).
Demonstrate experience: If you’re already working in public health or at a primary-care level, make that experience central in your application.
Prepare a strong CV / proposal: Focus on achievements, leadership, and any research or practical health-related work you’ve done.
Reach out: Use the contact provided if you have questions: hcmcf@knust.edu.gh, +233 500 473 634.
🤔 Why This Is a Strategic Opportunity
This scholarship doesn’t just fund your education — it invests in Africa’s health future. By supporting Masters, MPhil, and PhD scholars across key public health disciplines, the KNUST Africa Health Collaborative is building a pipeline of health leaders who can drive innovation, strengthen health systems, and scale impactful solutions across the continent. In addition, with a focus on health entrepreneurship, the program empowers change-makers who can build businesses that address health challenges sustainably.