The AEIP Scholars Programme 2026/2027 is now accepting applications from outstanding early-career researchers across Africa and Europe.
Supported by the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) under the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, the programme brings together researchers from both continents to develop innovative, solution-driven projects that address shared scientific and development challenges.
Unlike traditional scholarships that fund tuition or degree programmes, the AEIP Scholars Programme focuses on international research collaboration.
Ten successful applicants- five from Africa and five from Europe- will be matched into cross-continental research teams to transform their existing research into practical innovations with real-world impact.
Applications are open until 31 August 2026, and interested candidates only need to submit a research abstract through the official application portal.
What is the AEIP Scholars Programme?
The Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) is an initiative funded by the European Union to strengthen scientific cooperation, innovation, and knowledge exchange between African and European institutions.
The AEIP Scholars Programme serves as the platform’s flagship initiative for early-career researchers by creating partnerships between promising scholars from both continents.
Rather than funding individual research projects, the programme enables participants to:
- Collaborate with an international research partner.
- Transform existing research into practical solutions.
- Gain international research experience.
- Build long-term academic partnerships.
- Contribute to the goals of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda.
The programme promotes innovation that benefits both Africa and Europe while strengthening scientific capacity and research excellence.
AEIP Scholars Programme 2026 Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements.
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 25–35 years old |
| Residence | Must be living in Africa or Europe during application |
| Academic Status | Currently enrolled in a PhD programme, Postdoctoral research, or another advanced academic programme |
| Research Experience | Must have an ongoing or completed thesis, dissertation, or research project relevant to the AU-EU Innovation Agenda |
Eligible Research Areas
Applicants should have research that contributes to one or more areas related to Africa-Europe cooperation, including:
- Scientific research
- Innovation and technology
- Sustainable development
- Capacity building
- Research collaboration
- Social innovation
- Science policy
- Community development
- Technology transfer
- Cross-border innovation
Projects should demonstrate practical relevance and potential for long-term impact.
How Applications Are Evaluated
The selection process consists of two different assessment stages.
Stage One: Application Review
Your submitted Expression of Interest (research abstract) will be evaluated based on:
- Relevance of the research
- Academic excellence
- Innovation potential
- Alignment with Africa-Europe cooperation priorities
Only the highest-scoring applicants will be selected.
Stage Two: Joint Research Evaluation
After scholars are paired, their collaborative project will be assessed using additional criteria.
These include:
- Impact on women and young people
- Community and institutional benefits
- Innovation and originality
- Technology-driven approach
- Practical implementation
- Overall feasibility
Benefits of the AEIP Scholars Programme
Every selected scholar receives valuable professional and academic opportunities.
| Selected Scholars | Benefits |
|---|---|
| All 10 Scholars | Africa-Europe research partnership, mentorship, international collaboration, professional networking, and a completed joint research project |
| Top 3 Research Teams | Fully sponsored trip to Europe, presentation opportunity at the AEIP Stakeholder Meeting in June 2027, and international recognition |
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