Microsoft Internship Programme

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarships offer an excellent opportunity for African students to pursue a PhD degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in the University of London. The Centre of African Studies offers one PhD scholarship to African nationals as part of the Governance for Development in Africa Initiative funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation which aims to support excellent and like minded individuals from Africa nation to enable them to acquire knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to contribute to the continent's development.

Applications are invited for PhD studentships focused on the area of state capacities, governance and bureaucracy for development. This may include projects designed to understand public sector governance capabilities, political settlements, state business relations, the governance of state owned enterprises, the governance of development policy design and implementation, and so on. But applications must focus on the public sector/state/civil service, on governance, and on development. 

Unconditional offer

You must have an unconditional offer for a PhD by 31 March 2025 to be considered for funding. Note that it takes 8 weeks to receive an offer of admission for PhD, therefore to apply for the PhD at least or before January 2025.

Benefits of Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarships 

1. Candidate gets Fully paid tuition fees for their chosen department.
2. Candidate receives a stipend fee of £5,000 to cover living expenses
3. Candidate receives Airfare to and from London to their residential nation
4. Candidate will be given a fully paid Visa application fees.

Available Programs

The scholarships are available for the following PhD programme at SOAS in the university of London:

• Department of Development Studies
• School of Law
• Gender and Media
• Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy
• Department of International Relations/Politics
• Department for Financial and Management Studies
• Centre for Financial and Management Studies 

Eligibility Criteria for Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarships 

1. Applicant must be a national of an African country
2. Applicant must hold a good first degree (minimum upper second-class honors)
3. Applicant must demonstrate a strong interest in and understanding of African development
4. Applicant must meet the English language proficiency requirements (TOEFL or IELTS)
5. Applicant must be accepted into a SOAS master's programme before application.

About the Mo Ibrahim Foundation

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was established in 2006 and it aims to promote good governance and leadership in Africa. The foundation supports initiatives that Promote democratic governance, Enhance economic and social development, Foster leadership and capacity building

About SOAS, University of London

SOAS was founded in 1916 and is a leading institution for African and Asian studies. The university offers unparalleled expertise in African studies, diverse and international academic community and Location in the heart of London to study.

Required Documents 

• A copy of the unconditional offer received from SOAS admissions office.
• CV (please include your email address).
• Two pages max statement outlining knowledge and interest in governance-related issues.
• Your research proposal (as sent to the SOAS Admissions Office).
• One academic reference (to be sent directly by referee to ab17@soas.ac.uk).
• One academic reference (to be sent directly by referee to ab17@soas.ac.uk).

Please note that CAS reserves the right not to award scholarships and will only award them where there are applicants judged to meet sufficiently high academic standards and with demonstrable interests in fields relevant to the objectives of the GDAI or you can check the SOAR website for more information.

How to Apply Mo Ibrahim Foundation SOAS Scholarships 

To apply, send your unconditional offer of admission, research proposal, CV, and one reference to:

Angelica Baschiera (Coordinator) of Mo Ibrahim Foundation Governance for Development in Africa Initiative

Email: ab17@soas.ac.uk

Host Country: United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Eligible Country: All African Countries

Deadline: March 31, 2025