In an increasingly volatile and rapidly changing global context, it has become more urgent than ever to promote African women’s access to quality higher education, recognising their role as key drivers of change and development across the continent. With this aim, the Women for Africa Foundation launches a new call for applications for the Learn Africa programme—an initiative that, over the years, has provided 462 African women with meaningful opportunities for academic training, research, and leadership, thereby strengthening their contribution to the development of their communities.

The 2026 edition marks a further step forward in the programme’s evolution, with the award of more than 100 scholarships, including 28 continuity scholarships, which will support ongoing academic pathways while opening up new opportunities across an expanding range of disciplines.

One of the most distinctive features of this call is the expansion of collaboration with leading academic institutions, which are strengthening their commitment to the programme and significantly broadening the range of study opportunities available. In this regard, the business school EADA reinforces its participation with the addition of the Larsson-Torras scholarship, alongside its online Master’s programme and, most notably, the Planeta Formación y Universidades group doubles its contribution, increasing from 10 to 20 scholarships and, for the first time, including programmes in the field of paramedical health through the Moroccan institution EDUMED.

The programme continues to grow with the addition of new partner institutions, including the FUNIBER group, which offers a Master’s scholarship in Portuguese or French at the Universidad Europea del Atlántico, thereby expanding access to training opportunities across different linguistic and regional contexts in Africa. Another signification addition is the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville (IRNAS), which joins the programme with an interesting on-site research scholarship.

In terms of fields of study, Learn Africa 2026 places particular emphasis on strategic areas such as health and new technologies, while continuing to strengthen its support for doctoral and Master’s programmes related to Hispanic Studies, which are becoming increasingly established within the programme. In this context, the growing number of doctoral scholarships reflects a sustained commitment to research and advanced training as key drivers of development.

Beyond the figures, Learn Africa represents a growing network of talent, opportunity, knowledge, and collaboration between Africa and Spain. Each new edition not only widens access to higher education, but also contributes to the development of women equipped to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact within their communities. The 2026 call once again places this commitment at its core, promoting transformative education as a foundation for a more equitable and sustainable future.

The application period will remain open until April 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Madrid time).

Scholarships that do not receive a sufficient number of applications within this period to ensure a competitive selection process may have their application deadline extended.

Only applications submitted through the website will be accepted.

General requirements Technical and academic requirements Language requirements

All the scholarships offered in this call will begin during the 2026-2027 academic year and may unfold over several years, depending on the scholarship applied for.

The application period will remain open until April 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Madrid time).

 

2026 Learn Africa scholarships

 

2026 Learn Africa-Planeta scholarships at Moroccan institutions

2026 Learn Africa-Planeta scholarships at ESLSCA

2026 Learn Africa-Planeta scholarships at EDUMED

• Online scholarships cover tuition fees only.
• Face-to-face scholarships cover:
  • Tuition fees
  • Round-trip travel
  • Accommodation and meals (either in a University Hall or through a monthly allowance)
  • Health insurance
• PLANETA scholarships cover tuition fees only. They do not include travel, medical insurance, lodging, or meals. These scholarships are aimed exclusively at African women who can assume, by their own means, the expenses not covered by the scholarship while residing in the city of Rabat.
• EADA Larson-Torras scholarship covers exclusively covers 100% of tuition fees and free accommodation during the programme. Travel tickets, health insurance, daily maintenance, transportation and personal expenses are not included and must be covered by the selected candidate.

Additional expenses not guaranteed by any scholarship:

• Re-enrollment fees for failed subjects (ordinary or extraordinary exams)

• Internet connection for online scholarships

• Visa issuance and related costs for travel to Spain

• Legalization, recognition, and translation of university degrees and academic records (required by the host university)

• Issuance of the final certificate upon completion of studies in Spain

• Daily expenses, including but not limited to warm clothing, hygiene items, footwear, leisure, and local transportation

• Support for accompanying family members (children, parents, siblings, spouse, etc.) will not be provided under any scholarship

  Recommendation

  • Applicants are advised to bring personal savings to Spain to cover any unforeseen expenses not included in the scholarship, such as transportation, hygiene items, and leisure or cultural activities.

Before applying for a scholarship, please read all the sections of the call to find out about the terms and conditions to apply for a Learn Africa scholarship, specifically: General requirements, Required documents and Key considerations.

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STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

1. Prepare ahead of time each and every document required to apply for a scholarship (Required documents)

2. Go to Scholarships 2026-2027. You will find three groups of scholarships in green:

• 2026 Learn Africa scholarships
• 2026 Learn Africa-Planeta scholarships at ESLSCA
• 2026 Learn Africa-Planeta scholarships at EDUMED

3. Click on each group to see the scholarships available. The list of scholarships available will be displayed.

4. Click on each scholarship to find more information on it. The scholarship profile will be displayed. Click on the green links to see more information.

5. Once you have made a decision about the scholarship you want to apply for, click on the orange Apply button.

• If you already have a user, go to “User access“. If you do not remember your password, click on “Recover password” and follow the instructions.
• If you do not have a user, go to “Register” to create a user.

6. Once you have logged in with your username and password, the application form will open.

7. In the drop-down menu, select the scholarship you wish to take. Remember: Only one application per person will be accepted!

8. Fill in the form with all your data.

9. Attach the requested documents. The files must comply with the following requirements:

• Accepted formats: png; gif; jpg; jpeg; pdf; doc; docx; ppt and rtf.
• Maximum file size: 4MB

10. To finish the application process, click on the Submit button.

Important: Before submitting the application form, please review all information and attachments carefully, as once the application is submitted, it cannot be modified.

Once you have submitted the application form, the message “Your request has been sent successfully” and a summary of the details of the scholarship you have applied for will appear on the screen.  If you have received this message, congratulations, you have successfully submitted your application!

You will also receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive this email, please check your SPAM folder.

Now you don’t have to do anything but wait until we publish the results of the selection process on our website. If you have been selected, you will receive a notification email. If you are not selected, you will not receive any communication.

For really urgent questions that are not answered in this document, you can send an email to: learnafrica@mujeresporafrica.es

IMPORTANT: We will not respond to queries that are answered in this document.

A scholarship committee will conduct an initial evaluation of all applications based on the following criteria:

• CV: maximum 3 points

• Reference letter(s): maximum 3 points

• Motivation letter: maximum 3 points

• Language skills: maximum 3 points

• Academic distinction: maximum 3 points

• Community engagement: maximum 3 points

• Project/concept note (if required): maximum 3 points

The final selection of candidates will be made in coordination with each partner host university. The results will be published on our website in June (www.mujeresporafrica.es).

Selected candidates will also receive a personal notification via email (to the address provided in the application form) and, in some cases, a phone call/WhatsApp.

The final outcome will not be communicated personally to unsuccessful candidates.

• Selected candidates will have 7 working days from the notification email to accept the scholarship. Failure to confirm acceptance within this period will result in the scholarship being forfeited and reassigned to another applicant according to the reserve list.

• By accepting the scholarship, selected candidates agree to comply with all terms and conditions established by the Learn Africa programme and the host university. Acceptance implies a serious commitment and an acknowledgement of the responsibilities associated with receiving financial and academic support.

• If a selected candidate decides to withdraw from the scholarship after selection and formal acceptance, without a compelling reason as determined by the Women for Africa Foundation (MxA), a penalty may be applied. This may include:

  • Prohibition from applying for future Learn Africa scholarships for a minimum period of 2 years

  • Loss of certain privileges associated with participation in additional programmes or events organized by the Women for Africa Foundation

• MxA recognizes that individual circumstances may change. Candidates may need to reconsider acceptance in cases of serious illness, family bereavement, or pregnancy, among others. Selected candidates are encouraged to contact MxA and the host university promptly if significant difficulties arise that may affect their ability to fulfill the scholarship’s requirements.

• By accepting the scholarship, selected candidates agree to use the funds and benefits derived from the scholarship in a responsible and appropriate manner, and strictly for the academic and training purposes for which they have been awarded. Any misuse, fraudulent use, or use contrary to the objectives of the programme, as well as any conduct involving improper management of the scholarship resources, may result in the immediate termination of the scholarship, the obligation to reimburse all or part of the funds received, and ineligibility to apply for future calls or participate in other scholarship programmes of the Women for Africa Foundation (MxA), without prejudice to any further actions that may be applicable.

1. Before submitting your application

• Only one application per person will be accepted. Choose carefully the scholarship you wish to apply for, as no changes can be made once the application has been submitted.

• Ensure that you meet both the general requirements, and the specific requirements outlined in the scholarship description.

• Prepare all required documents in advance.

• For in-person scholarships, make sure your passport is valid for more than 6 months.

• For online scholarships, ensure you have a reliable internet connection and the necessary computer equipment to follow the classes remotely.

2. If you are selected

• Check your inbox daily (the email address provided in your application). You will have 7 calendar days to accept the scholarship after receiving the notification.

• Provide the host university with duly legalized, certified, and translated copies of your university degree, academic transcript, and any other required documentation. We recommend initiating the legalization process as soon as you accept the scholarship, as procedures at the Spanish Embassy, Consulate, or Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs can be lengthy.

• Submit a certificate issued by your university confirming that you hold a degree qualifying you to pursue the requested programme (Master’s or Doctorate).

3. Expenses NOT covered by the scholarship programme

• Certain expenses must be covered by the selected candidates, including visa costs, translation and legalization of academic degrees, and issuance of certificates. Refer to the Scholarship provisions for the full list.

• Each scholarship is for one person only; support for accompanying family members is not provided.

• It is recommended to bring personal savings to cover unforeseen expenses, such as transportation, personal hygiene items, and leisure or cultural activities.

• The medical insurance included in the scholarship covers general healthcare during the stay in Spain but does not include pregnancy-related care or childbirth. In the event of pregnancy during the scholarship period, all expenses related to medical check-ups, specific tests, and delivery in a hospital in Spain must be fully borne by the selected candidate.

• Check the weather conditions of your destination city; in many cases, you will need to bring warm clothing suitable for cold weather.

4. Transparency and good practices

• If your circumstances change during the scholarship acceptance or university admission process (e.g., illness, medical treatment, family death, pregnancy), contact MxA and your host university promptly so that a mutually agreed solution can be sought.

• If a selected candidate withdraws from the programme after selection and formal acceptance without a compelling reason under MxA’s criteria, a penalty may apply, including:

  • Prohibition from applying for future Learn Africa scholarships for a minimum of 2 years

  • Loss of certain privileges in other programmes or events organized by the Women for Africa Foundation

• If you are selected for a scholarship from another institution, inform MxA promptly and confirm whether both scholarships are compatible. In case of incompatibility, you will be asked to decide quickly which scholarship to accept.

• Inform the Foundation of their academic results and the date of their return to their home country.

• Provide the Women for Africa Foundation with a brief report on their academic and personal experiences during the scholarship.

• Complete a survey to enable the Women for Africa Foundation to evaluate the results of the scholarship programme and, where appropriate, implement modifications and improvements.

• Participate in the Learn Africa programme alumnae network, including follow-up, exchange, and training activities (mentoring, coaching, peer support, etc.) organized to ensure the sustainability of the programme’s impact.

• Authorize the Women for Africa Foundation and the Spanish universities to use, in whole or in part, the content of the report submitted upon completion of the scholarship on their website or in any of their publications.

When and how will I know if I have been selected? If I am not selected, will you contact me? Can I apply for the scholarship if I am missing a document? How can I know if my scholarship application has been sent correctly? Do I have to pre-enrol/initiate the steps to access the master's degree or contact the university to express my interest in the academic programme? What should I do after applying for a scholarship? Which expenses do scholarships cover? Which electronic devices are required? What are the starting and ending dates of the courses? If I applied for a Learn Africa programme scholarship in previous calls and was not selected, can I apply again? I already benefitted from a Learn Africa scholarship. Can I apply for another one? I am having issues submitting my application through the online portal. Can I send my application and attached documents by email? If I finish my university studies this year and do not yet have my university degree certificate, what document should I attach to my application? Do I need to bring money with me to Spain? I am African, but I have completed all my university studies outside of Africa. Can I apply for a Learn Africa scholarship? I am African, but I currently live in Spain. Can I apply for a Learn Africa scholarship? I am pursuing a master's/doctoral degree in Spain and need funding to complete it. Can I apply for a Learn Africa Scholarship?

Before contacting us, please carefully read the Key considerations and Frequently asked questions sections.

IMPORTANT: We will not respond to questions that are already answered in these sections.

For urgent questions that are not addressed in the previous sections, you may send an email to:

learnafrica@mujeresporafrica.es

To consult the Foundation’s privacy policy, please refer to the following link: Privacy Policy