MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
If you’re a proud African citizen and resident—accepted for postgraduate studies at an approved African university outside your home country, considering intake in 2026—this is your moment: the MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development 2026 is now open. Founded by Dr Nkosana Moyo, MINDS was created to build a continent-wide generation of leaders—and this programme offers fully or partially funded funding, cross-border study, Pan‑African immersion, and tailored leadership training to empower young changemakers.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Undergraduate/postgraduate studies across Africa, at MINDS‑approved universities, outside your home country.
Host Institution: Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS)—a Johannesburg‑based pan‑African think tank.
Study Level: Full‑time one‑ or two‑year Honours or Master’s degree.
Target Group: Citizens of African countries residing in Africa, accepted into postgraduate study at a MINDS‑preferred university outside their country of citizenship/residence.
Fields of Study: Open to all academic fields. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary leadership; applicants in Actuarial Sciences, Business Sciences, and Accounting (especially from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria) will find a strong applicant pipeline.
Value & Coverage: Full or partial funding that may include:
Tuition
Accommodation & meals
One return economy flight
Fixed monthly stipend
Duration: Matches the duration of your selected Honours or Master’s programme (typically 1–2 years).
Application Deadline: Rolling basis—no fixed closing date announced for 2026 intake; applicants are reviewed in order of submission.
Start Date: Aligned with your host university’s academic calendar (usually mid to late 2026).
Eligible to: Apply if you’re an African national residing in Africa, and accepted to a MINDS‑preferred institution outside your country of nationality or residence.
✨ Scholarship Overview
Year One: Begin your degree at a cross-border African university (e.g., Makerere, UCT, ALU Rwanda, CMU Rwanda, Wits, U Ghana, etc.). As a MINDS scholar, you’ll:
Join leadership development modules, peer networking circles, and reflective sessions.
Participate in academic and cultural immersion experiences, designed to help you adapt across borders.
Engage with a Pan‑African cohort, share experiences, and co-design mini-projects on development challenges.
Optional Year Two (if enrolled on a two-year Honours or Master’s): Continue with coursework, finalize your academic research, and may choose to mentor newer scholars or join an alumni-led regional development project.
Ongoing Engagement:
Scholars may receive invitations to alumni forums, webinars, and Columbia‑MINDS networking events.
Depending on partnerships (e.g., with South Africa’s NRF), selected students can access specialised exchange or training opportunities.
🎁 Benefits
Comprehensive Financial Support: Costs for tuition, meals & boarding, travel, and living expenses may all be covered.
Pan‑African Exposure: Studying in another African country promotes cross-border understanding, adaptation, and long-term networks.
Leadership Development Programming: Non-academic leadership modules, cohort workshops, and ongoing mentorship from African leaders across sectors
Strategic Focus Areas: Particularly relevant for students in country-level development pathways—fields like Actuarial Science, Accounting, Business, and Public Policy often prioritized.
Pan-African Legacy Network: Become part of a growing alumni community of young African leaders committed to integration, social impact, and future continental collaboration.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Be a citizen of any African country and reside in Africa at the time of application.
Already have an official acceptance letter from a MINDS-preferred institution in Africa that is outside your country of citizenship/residence.
Hold a consistent academic record, scoring 70% or above in every subject/course over your last two years of study.
Provide clear evidence of leadership potential or experience, aligned with MINDS’ continental development values.
Submit a complete online application, including all required documents in the right format (PDF, ≤ 2MB per file).
📝 Application Procedure
Receive your formal acceptance from a MINDS-approved university outside your home/residence country.
Create an account on the MINDS Scholarship Portal (via the official MINDS site).
Complete the online application form and upload the following (each ≤ 2MB, PDF format):
Bio/data page of your passport
Certified academic transcript/results of last two years
Official acceptance letter, stating degree, intake year, and duration
Study permit or visa copy (or application proof); optional
Detailed CV (max 4 single-sided pages)
Two reference letters (max 3 pages each), addressing leadership, integrity, and Pan‑African development commitment
Submit your application—you’ll receive an email receipt quickly (often within 30 minutes).
Your application is reviewed on a rolling basis, usually within 6–8 weeks. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for interviews.
👀 Tips for a Strong Application
Apply early—since reviews are rolling, early submission (once your acceptance is in hand) puts you first.
Choose your institution strategically—applications outside South Africa may have fewer competitors; certain fields have special seats reserved.
Tell your continental story—use your essays and CV to showcase collaboration experience across African countries or communities.
Prepare reference letters thoughtfully—referees should speak to your values, leadership potential, and commitment to Africa-wide impact.
Tech check—ensure PDFs under 2 MB, clear scans, institutional letterhead on documents, and a stable internet connection for the portal. Incomplete applications are automatically disqualified.
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK
