The Coimbra Group has officially opened its 2026 call for applications, offering short-term research visits to early-career researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa. This prestigious program enables scholars to spend one to three months at leading European universities, fostering high-level academic collaboration and supporting research that can be continued at their home institutions.
The program is a significant bridge between African and European scientific communities, with participating universities providing generous funding for travel, insurance, and living expenses during the research stay.
The Scholarship Package
The scholarship is designed to cover the essential costs of an international research visit:
- Research Duration: 1 to 3 months maximum.
- Funding: Generously provided by the individual host universities (conditions vary by institution).
- Timing: Visits are scheduled to take place during the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Priority: Female candidates are encouraged to apply and will be prioritised in the selection process.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure the program supports early-career development, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Age: Must be born on or after 1 January 1981.
- Residence: Must be a national and current resident of a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Professional Status: Must be an academic staff member of a university or equivalent higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Academic Standing: Preference is given to those holding doctoral or postdoctoral status.
- Language: All application information must be submitted in English.
Mandatory Application Requirements
The Coimbra Group maintains a strict application process. Please ensure you have the following before beginning:
- Supervisor Acceptance: You must obtain a formal acceptance letter or email from a supervisor at your chosen host university. This document must confirm their willingness to supervise your work plan.
- Single Application: You may only apply to one university. Multiple applications will result in disqualification.
- Complete Data: Incomplete applications will not be considered. You must have your supervisor’s details and letter of acceptance ready before submitting the form.
Participating European Universities
Researchers can choose from a distinguished list of host institutions, including:
- Germany: Universities of Cologne, Heidelberg, Jena, and Würzburg.
- Spain: Universities of Barcelona, Granada, and Salamanca.
- Italy: Universities of Padova, Pavia, and Siena.
- Other Regions: University of Bergen (Norway), University of Groningen (The Netherlands), University of Coimbra (Portugal), University of Graz (Austria), Jagiellonian University (Poland), and more.
⏳ Important Deadline
- Application Cycle: Open for 2026.
- Review Process: Eligibility and selection will be managed by the Coimbra Group Office and host universities throughout mid-2026.
🚀 Take Action Now
This is a competitive program with a history of supporting hundreds of African scholars.
- Step 1: Visit the official Coimbra Group website to review the specific “Remarks” and offers for each participating university.
- Step 2: Contact a potential supervisor at your chosen institution to secure your mandatory letter of acceptance.
- Step 3: Submit Your Application via the Coimbra Group Electronic Portal
Deadline: Check the official portal for specific closing dates as they vary by cycle. Call to Action: Start reaching out to European supervisors today to build the foundation for your 2026 research visit.