Applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda (UR) are now open for the 2025–2026 academic year!

This program is dedicated to supporting highly talented, service-oriented young Africans, including refugees, displaced persons, and persons with disabilities, by providing the opportunity to pursue higher education while developing leadership potential and a commitment to community transformation.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers comprehensive support to students, including full tuition fees, paid on-campus accommodation, a laptop, learning materials, a return ticket allowance, and a monthly stipend for the duration of the program. In addition, the program provides psycho-social support, industry internships, academic mentorship, virtual learning, tutoring, and access to career development services. Scholars will also have opportunities to participate in leadership congresses, community service, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be citizens of any African country, a refugee, or a displaced young person in Africa. They must be academically qualified and meet the admission criteria for eligible programs at the University of Rwanda. The minimum entry requirements specific to each academic program offered by the University of Rwanda in all Colleges and Campuses are published on the UR Website. However, the University of Rwanda academic programs are highly competitive with limited places; therefore, admissions will be based on academic merit (performance in Advanced Level National Examinations or Equivalence).
• Applicants must also demonstrate leadership potential and community engagement, show critical social and/or economic need or have a disability, and be prepared to “Go Back” and/or “Give Back” to their communities. Refugees and individuals with disabilities must provide legal proof of their status.
• For undergraduate applicants, candidates must be 28 years or younger at the time of application (or up to 30 for those with certified proof of a protracted life condition such as refugees, single mothers, or members of child-headed families). For postgraduate applicants, males must be 40 years or younger, and females must be 45 years or younger.

Application Process

• Applications must be submitted online through the University of Rwanda admissions portal. Visit www.ur.ac.rw, click on the “Admissions” section on the main menu bar, and follow the steps as indicated. 
• For national applicants who completed Senior Six from 2012 to 2024 click on “New Application” and continue the application process as indicated;
• For all international applicants as well as national applicants who completed Senior Six before 2012, complete the biographical information to generate the Reference Number and create a PIN, and then upload the required documents using the link https://efiling.ur.ac.rw/applicants (Certified copy of your Equivalence in the Rwandan system and a copy of your valid Passport for applicants with foreign qualifications, Certified copy of your Senior Six (S6) Certificate of Secondary Education, and a Copy of your National ID card for national applicants);
• Please record your Reference Number and PIN before taking any further steps;
• After generating your Reference Number, pay a non-refundable fee of 5,000 RWF (for Rwandan and EAC applicants) and 6,000 RWF for Non-EAC applicants;
• After payment of the application fees, continue the application process after 10 to 15 minutes; Go back to the online application portal, login through Registered Users at the right side of the student portal by inserting your Reference Number and PIN;
• Proceed with the indicated steps up to submission of your application.

The detailed guidelines for applications are published on UR Website.

Application Fees and Payment

The application fee is 5,000 RWF for Rwandan and EAC applicants, and 6,000 RWF for Non-EAC applicants. Payments should be made through the Urubuto System using your Reference Number at Bank of Kigali (BK) counters, via MTN Mobile Money by dialling 7755#, through the BK App or internet banking, or online at https://urubutopay.rw/pay-now using Merchant Code: TH77306981 and your Reference Number as the Payer Code. Please do not pay through BK Agents.

Key Dates: The application deadline is 16 July 2025, and shortlisted candidates will be notified via email.

Important Notes:

• Applicants are encouraged to apply for a refugee ID and refugee travel document from the Department of Home Affairs, as these will be required if selected and accepted into the program. 
• Please note that UNHCR is not involved in the selection process but may provide support to selected students. 
• For any questions or additional information, please contact us at [email protected].

We encourage all eligible candidates to apply for this life-changing opportunity.

Hey, talented you! Are you interested in using your creativity to promote an inclusive South Africa?

UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency – invites you to take part in an exciting TikTok video competition designed to promote solidarity, social cohesion, and inclusion for refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons living in South Africa.

This initiative is part of the South African National Action Plan (NAP) to combat racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance. It also forms part of UNHCR’s Information Integrity workstream, supported by Innovation Norway, which aims to address digital information risks that affect displaced populations.

We want YOU to create original, impactful social media content that promotes Ubuntu – our shared humanity – and challenges divisive narratives using a “pre-bunking” approach.

Who Can Participate?

If you live in South Africa, this competition is open to you!

• Open to individuals or groups.
• You must not be signed to an influencer agency.

What Are We Looking For?

• Platform Compliance: Make sure your content follows TikTok’s community guidelines.
• Engaging and Creative: Your content should be fun, creative, and promote solidarity and Ubuntu with refugees and asylum seekers.
• Pre-bunking Approach: Use the pre-bunking methodology. If you don’t use the prebunking approach, your post will be disqualified. Check out this guide for more info.
• Language: You can submit your content in any relevant language – remember you want maximum engagement.
• Format: Content should be suitable for TikTok.
• Minimum video length for competition entries: 30 seconds – the “sweet spot” for keeping viewers engaged is 21 seconds.

How to Participate

1. Step 1: Create your content between 4^th June 2025 and 18 July 2025.
2. Step 2: Post your content on TikTok during the same period: 4th June  – 18 July 2025..
3. Step 3: Use the correct tags in your TikTok caption: Tag @refugees and include the hashtag #WithRefugees.
4. Step 4: Set the privacy settings to public for your post.
5. Step 5: Complete the APPLICATION FORM after posting your content . (Entries will not be counted without this form. You can submit more than one entry!)

Key Dates

• Deadline: 18 July 2025 (Midnight, South Africa Time)
• Winners Announced: August 2025 (with an exact date to be communicated with all selected winners via email)

How We Can Support Your Participation

UNHCR will organize online training session on Monday 9^th June to sharpen your content skills and understand how to apply the pre-bunking methodology.

This session will include:

• Understanding Pre-bunking: Learn the basics of the pre-bunking methodology and how to apply it to your content.
• Content Creation Tips: Get tips on creating engaging and impactful social media content.
• Q&A Session

Interested? Register here: bit.ly/4jskkWt

Prizes

The top 15 entries will be shortlisted. Winners will be determined by video views and quality of content based on competition criteria.

• 🥇 1st Prize: Complete Content Creator Kit
• 🥈 2nd Prize: Starter Creator Kit
• 🥉 3rd Prize: Content Accessories Pack

Note: If a team wins, the prize will be awarded to the nominated team lead to distribute among the team.

Judging Criteria

A panel of independent judges will evaluate entries based on:

• Use of pre-bunking techniques
• Creativity and clarity of message
• Promotion of solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers
• Video engagement metrics (views on TikTok)

Help us share this initiative and inspire change!

The TAGDev 2.0 (Transforming African Agricultural Universities to meaningfully contribute to Africa’s growth and development, phase 2.0) is a collaboration between The Regional University Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), Mastercard Foundation, the Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for Agricultural and life Sciences (GCHERA) and 12 African universities as follow:

• Egerton University (Kenya)
• Gulu University (Uganda)
• Africa University (Zimbabwe)
• University of Cape Coast (Ghana)
• Universite Nationale d’Agriculture (Benin)
• University of Free State (South Africa)
• Universite Mohammed VI, Polytechnique (Morocco)
• Uganda Martyrs University (Uganda)
• University of Eldoret (Kenya)
• University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria)
• Malawi University of Science and Technology (Malawi)
• University of Bamenda (Cameroon)

The TAGDev 2.0 programme was created to revolutionize agricultural education by strengthening universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to better serve communities by skilling and equipping students and their institutions to drive inclusive, equitable and climate resilient transformative agriculture and agri-food systems, with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship.

The TAGDev 2.0 programme calls for any young African, both male and female, who are under the age of 35 and are interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agriculture to participate in our information-sharing sessions regarding the application process. In addition, those with disabilities, asylum seekers, refugees, and people who have been internally displaced are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please attend the sessions by clicking on the links that are provided below (flyer attached)                                                                                                

English – http://bit.ly/4ibB3gA   

French – https://bit.ly/41eiCRF   

Closing date: 1 April 2025 

Below is a list of universities where you can apply

🇧🇯 Benin

1.  National University of Agriculture

Call for Applications: https://www.una.bj/   

🇨🇲 Cameroon

2.   University of Bamenda

Call for Applications:  https://uniba.cm/  

🇬🇭 Ghana

3.   University of Cape Coast

Call for Applications:  https://www.ucc.edu.gh/node/17866  

Admission: https://gusapp.ucc.edu.gh/tag/index.php  

🇰🇪 Kenya

4.  University of Eldoret

Call for Applications:  https://uoeld.ac.ke/vc-corner/call-scholarship-applications  

5. Egerton University

Call for Applications:  https://tagdev.egerton.ac.ke/updates/27-news/84-tagdev-2-0-scholarship-2025-2026.html  

🇲🇼 Malawi

6.  Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST)

MUST – Call for TAGDEV 2.0 Scholarship Applications: https://www.must.ac.mw/storage/468/Call-for-TAGDEV-2.0-Scholarships-at-MUST.pdf  

🇲🇦 Morocco

7.  Universite Mohammed VI, Polytechnique

Call for Applications: https://www.um6p.ma/en/apply  

🇳🇬 Nigeria

8.  University of Port Harcourt

Call for Applications: https://www.uniport.edu.ng/  

🇿🇦 South Africa

9. Free State

Call for Applications: https://www.ufs.ac.za/  

🇺🇬 Uganda

10.  Gulu University

Call for Applications: https://gu.ac.ug/call-for-scholarship-applications-under-the-tagdev-2-0-programme-for-the-2025-2026-academic-year-at-gulu-university/  

Admission:  http://apply.gu.ac.ug

11. Martyrs University

Call for Applications: https://umu.ac.ug/call-for-scholarship-2025-2026/  

🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

12. Africa University

Call for Applications: https://africau.edu/   

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) Scholarship for Leadership Development is a full Postgraduate scholarship for full-time candidates who seek to pursue their Postgraduate diploma, honors, or Master’s degree in a country other than their home country. 

The MINDS Scholarship has opened its doors to refugees across the African continent. Due to the documentation challenges faced by refugees worldwide, refugee applicants are exempt from the general MINDS criteria, which requires a candidate to study strictly outside of their home country. Refugees are permitted to apply at a university within their host country or country of residence. 

Requirements for Candidates

Candidates must be of African origin and be hosted as refugees in a different African country. Academic excellence, a pan-African outlook, and leadership potential are among the requirements.

Scholarship Amount

Up to a maximum of 15,000 USD annually covering Tuition, Accommodation, flights, medical aid (where applicable), stipend and private academic coaching to all scholars. 

Application Deadline

The MINDS scholarship is open throughout the year (NO application deadline), and candidates are shortlisted and awarded on a rolling basis. To apply, applicants must complete an online application form and submit the required supporting documents. 

Read More on the scholarship and applications here: https://minds-africa.org/scholarship-program-for-leadership-development/

Please share this opportunity with all qualifying students.

UNHCR is pleased to announce the UNICORE 7.0 scholarship program, offering an exceptional opportunity for refugee students residing in South Africa to pursue a Master’s degree in Italy. This initiative is supported by UNHCR, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and a network of 37 prestigious Italian universities and partner organizations.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Eligibility: Refugee students residing in South Africa with a recognized refugee status or Section 24.
• Scholarship Coverage: The selected candidates will be exempted from tuition fees, receive financial support for travel expenses, and be granted a study allowance during their stay in Italy.
• Application Period: Italian universities have opened the call for applications from 3 March 2025.
• Application Documents: Applicants will need to submit key documents such as proof of refugee status, academic transcripts, CV, motivation letter, and any additional documents required by the selected universities.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 18 April 2025 

HOW TO APPLY: For detailed information and a complete list of participating universities and available courses, please visit the University Corridors for Refugees website

PRE-SELECTION CRITERIA INCLUDE

• Residency in South Africa with recognized refugee status.
• Holding a bachelor’s degree obtained in or after 2019, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Candidates may apply to a maximum of two universities.
• Evaluation by an international panel based on CV, motivation letters, videos (if required), and an interview.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Participation in the University Corridors program, including the application process, is completely free of charge.
• Beware of any individuals requesting or offering money in connection with this project; contact UNHCR immediately if such situations arise.
• Presenting fraudulent documents will result in serious consequences, including disqualification from this and other opportunities.

We encourage eligible candidates to explore this remarkable opportunity and take a step toward advancing their academic careers. For further details, please visit the University Corridors for Refugees website or contact us with any inquiries.

SPORT. 🏅 EMPOWER. 💪🏽 INCLUSION. 🤝🏿

About The Sports for Protection Fund

South Africa, despite its upper middle-income status, grapples with stark inequality, with race as a significant determinant in societal outcomes. Youth unemployment is alarmingly high, with nearly 64% of those aged 15-24 years unemployed, according to the 2022 Quarterly Labour Force Survey. For refugee and asylum-seeking youth, these challenges are compounded by documentation issues and limited access to education and training, which obstruct their integration into local communities. Amidst these struggles, sport emerges as a powerful tool to bridge divides and foster social cohesion. Recognized by South Africa’s National Action Plan Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance (NAP), sport holds the unique potential to unite people and foster understanding across diverse backgrounds.

The UNHCR Sports for Protection project targets South African national and forcibly displaced children and youth aged 6-35, across rural, semi-urban, and urban areas. Through collaboration with Refugee-led Organizations (RLOs) and sports NGOs, we aim to integrate displaced persons into local sports initiatives. The project strives to motivate displaced youth to pursue learning, enhance their engagement in schools, and develop vital transferable skills for both academic and sporting success. 

Successful applicants will receive a maximum grant of 40,000 USD. The maximum implementation period is 11 months.

Who can Apply

This Fund is open for refugee-led organization (RLO) applicants. A RLO applicant is an organization that is either:

• Primarily led by forcibly displaced and stateless persons: This means that more than half of the leadership roles within the organization, including decision-making positions, are held by individuals who are refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced, returnees, or stateless.
• Or jointly/equally led by forcibly displaced and stateless persons and host communities: This means that the organization has an equal distribution of leadership and decision-making roles between members of forcibly displaced or stateless communities and individuals from host communities.

Organizations meeting either of the criteria listed above are eligible to apply.

How to Apply

• Interested organisations are requested to submit a concise concept note, not exceeding three (03) pages, using the UNHCR Concept Note Template (⬅️ click to download).
• Deadline for submission is at 23:59PM (South Africa Time), Tuesday, 18 February 2025.
• Submissions will ONLY be accepted through the UNHCR’s partner portal at: www.unpartnerportal.org. Kindly refer to this Step-by-Step Guide for Registration at the UN Partner Portal for assistance.
• Submission requirements: Interested parties should submit the following:
  • Organization Profile: Including experience in similar projects.
  • Proposed Approach: Outline how your organization plans to implement the activities and achieve the project objectives.
  • Resource Availability: Detail the resources (human, financial, and material) your organization can commit to the project.
  • Partnerships: List any existing partnerships with local communities, schools, and sporting bodies.
• Please refer to the Call for Expression of Interest (CFEI) document below for further information (e.g. selection criteria).

Do you have any questions?

• Contact [email protected] for more information.
• Queries can be sent via the application portal (www.unpartnerportal.org) by Tuesday, 11 February 2025, and will also be responded to publicly via the portal on a weekly basis.
• Applicants are encouraged to refer to the FAQs before submitting their application.

All services and assistance of UNHCR and its partners are free of charge!

We hope this message finds you well as we welcome 2025—a year filled with hope and new opportunities.

The UNHCR Voluntary Repatriation (Return) Programme is now available to support refugees and asylum seekers wishing to return to their home countries voluntarily, safely, and with dignity. This initiative ensures that those who choose to repatriate do so in an informed manner, with respect for their safety and fundamental rights.

Eligibility

• Open to any registered refugee or asylum seeker with valid status and documentation who wishes to repatriate voluntarily.
• Subject to screening by UNHCR to ensure eligibility of interested candidates.
• Positive family tracing in the respective country of origin.
• Finally rejected cases are currently NOT eligible.

Support Provided

• Assistance with travel and logistics.
• Coordination for exit clearance formalities.
• Ensuring a safe and dignified return.
• Sensitization sessions will be provided to inform participants about the situation in their countries of origin, enabling them to make an informed decision.
• Conditions in some countries may vary, and accurate, updated information will be provided.

How to Express Interest

If you wish to voluntarily repatriate, please:

1. Call UNHCR at 0800 100 030
2. Email us at [email protected]
3. Contact your nearest UNHCR implementing partners

Please assist UNHCR by sharing this information widely in your communities, settlements and urban areas through your local networks and communication channels for those who are interested in this opportunity.

We are excited to disseminate the information below for your kind attention and sharing among your networks.

***

UNHCR is seeking a Women-Led Organization to partner with on localization learning on Gender-Based Violence and Gender Equality. The main outcome of the Project Partnership Agreement will be the development of a toolkit with practice examples and technical guidance for all UNHCR’s operations on enhancing partnerships with Women-Led Organizations, including those led by forcibly displaced and stateless women and girls in all their diversity.

The ideal partner would meet the following criteria:

1. Be a Women-Led Organization as per the UNHCR definition below and have relevant sector expertise and experience.
2. Demonstrate experience in at least two (02) of the thematic areas listed below.

• Creation of Women-Led Organizations networks
• Working with Adolescents/ Girl- Led Organizations
• Supporting unregistered women’s groups to establish Women-Led Organizations i.e. (Documentation, Registration, Legal Requirements, etc).
• Advocacy for system change within UNHCR
• Setting up Monitoring and Evaluation tools with Women-Led Organizations.
• GBV Primary Prevention practices/ curricula that work.
• Engaging with Women-Led Organizations to monitor UNHCR’s GBV risk mitigation, prevention, and quality service provision.
• Meaningful engagement in GBV coordination mechanisms.

3. Have the ability to produce a final toolkit in English even when the working language is different.
4. Have the ability to produce the final product within the set timeframe.
5. Experience working in displacement settings is an added advantage.

Apply via the UN Partner Portal via this link or search CFEI ID: CFEI/HCR/CHE/2023/002.

You need to log-in / register to see all details and apply. More information is attached.

Deadline: 30 September 2023.

UNHCR Women-Led Organization Definition:

Women-Led Organizations (WLOs) are a wide range of women- and girl-led groups, organizations, networks, and movements particularly those with strong links to displaced and stateless communities, operating at community, national, regional and/or global level.

• Women-Led Organizations should have clear organizational values, principles/commitment on gender equality and accountability to women and girls.

• 2/3rds (67%) of the leadership and management structure of the Women-Led Organization are people who identify as women and girls. The entire organization should have equal or higher representation of women across the board.

• WLOs also incorporate those that organize formally and informally and include those who are led by displaced or stateless persons, that. They are non-partisan, work to advance the rights of women and girls, promote gender equality at any level and address gender-based violence. The organization primarily provides advocacy, protection and assistance to communities affected by displacement and/or statelessness.

Indicative Budget: USD 50,000

Women Refugee-led Organizations are strongly encouraged to apply and wishing you the best of luck!.

A message from the UNHCR South Africa Multi-Country Office (SAMCO)   

This email is sent from an account we use for sending messages only. If you wish to contact us, don’t reply to this email, instead, use this webform or call our toll Free Help line: 0800100030  

Subscribe to receive important information related to Asylum Seekers and Refugees in South Africa shared regularly by UNHCR by clicking here.   

If you do not wish to receive these messages anymore, please unsubscribe here.   

ALL UNHCR SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE!   

Visit Help South Africa
www.unhcr.org  

UNHCR wishes to inform you that the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Call for applications (under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program) and Application Forms for its January 2024 enrolment of 50 Undergraduate and 60 Masters’ degree Mastercard Foundation Scholars went live this morning. The link is provided below: https://www.uwc.ac.za/study/partnerships/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program

Kindly share widely within your networks for highly talented deserving candidates to apply. Please read the instructions carefully.

Wishing you the best of luck!

A message from the UNHCR South Africa Multi-Country Office (SAMCO)   

This email is sent from an account we use for sending messages only. If you wish to contact us, don’t reply to this email, instead, use this webform or call our toll Free Help line: 0800100030  

Subscribe to receive important information related to Asylum Seekers and Refugees in South Africa shared regularly by UNHCR by clicking here.   

If you do not wish to receive these messages anymore, please unsubscribe here.   

ALL UNHCR SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE!   

Visit Help South Africa
www.unhcr.org