Study for free in the UK – Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarships at University of London.

The Governance for Development in Africa Initiative (GDAI) PhD scholarship, funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and administered by the Centre of African Studies, offers one scholarship for African nationals researching state capacities, governance, and bureaucracy for development, with a focus on public sector governance and development.

Details of the Scholarship

• Focus Areas: State capacities, governance, bureaucracy, public sector capabilities, political settlements, state-business relations, and governance of policy design and implementation.
• Program Eligibility: Applicants must focus on the public sector, governance, or civil service in relation to development.

Eligibility Requirements

• Nationality: Open to African nationals.
• Departmental Requirement: PhD programs must be within Development Studies, Law, Economics, International Relations/Politics, CISD, DEFIMS, or distance learning at CEFIMS/DEFIMS.
• Unconditional Offer: Applicants must have an unconditional PhD offer from SOAS by March 31, 2025.
• Application Timing: As it takes about 8 weeks to receive an offer, applicants should submit their PhD application by January 2025 at the latest.

Eligible Degree

• PhD programs in Development Studies, Law, Economics, International Relations/Politics, Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD), and the Department for Financial and Management Studies (DEFIMS) at SOAS.

Scholarship Values

• Tuition: Covers full tuition for eligible PhD programs.
• Support: Provides resources for research focused on governance and public sector development in Africa.

Required Documents

1. Unconditional offer of admission from SOAS.
2. Curriculum Vitae (including email address).
3. Statement (max two pages) detailing knowledge and interest in governance-related issues.
4. Research proposal (same as submitted to SOAS Admissions).
5. One academic reference (sent directly to the scholarship coordinator).

Application Process

1. Secure an unconditional PhD offer from SOAS by March 31, 2025.
2. Email the following documents to Angelica Baschiera, Coordinator for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Governance for Development in Africa Initiative:

• Unconditional offer letter
• Research proposal
• CV
• Statement of interest
• Academic reference (to be sent by the referee).

Application Deadline

• Application Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Apply here