Eligibility criteria and list of participating universities

Universities of the Coimbra Group offer short-term visits (generally 1 to maximum 3 months) to young African researchers from higher education institutions from Sub-Saharan Africa. The main aim of this scholarship programme is to enable scholars to undertake research in which they are engaged in their home institution and to help them establish academic and research contacts in Europe.

The scholarships are financially supported by the Coimbra Group member universities participating in this programme, while the Coimbra Group Office is in charge of the administrative management of the
applications.

Please note that some Coimbra Group Universities may restrict the eligibility to some Sub-Saharan countries only – to find out if your country is eligible, please refer to the “Remarks” section in the Grants Information below.

In most universities the language of instruction is that of the country itself, but in many universities, it is
possible to use English as the working language.


The following Coimbra Group universities are participating in the 2025 edition of this scholarship programme:

  • Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi ( Romania)
  • University of Barcelona (Spain)
  • University of Bergen (Norway)
  • University of Coimbra (Portugal)
  • University of Cologne (Germany)
  • University of Granada (Spain)
  • University of Graz (Austria)
  • University of Groningen (The Netherlands)
  • Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany)
  • Heidelberg University (Germany)
  • Istanbul University (Turkey)
  • Jagiellonian University in Krakow (Poland)
  • University of Padova (Italy)
  • University of Pavia (Italy)
  • University of Poitiers (France)
  • Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic)
  • University of Salamanca (Spain)
  • University of Siena (Italy)
  • University of Würzburg (Germany)


Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must fulfil ALL of the following criteria at the same time:

  • Be born on or after 1 January 1980.
  • Be nationals of and current residents in a country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Be current staff members of a university or an equivalent higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Be preferably of doctoral/postdoctoral or equivalent status.
  • Be in possession of an acceptance letter/email from the tutor/supervisor with whom the work programme
    will be undertaken in the host institution. This document is mandatory.
  • Use the Coimbra Group Office electronic application process.
  • Apply for one university only. Multiple applications will not be considered valid.
  • Submit all information in English only.

Submission of Applications

The online application is available until 31 March 2025 at midnight (Brussels time) on the Coimbra Group
website: www.coimbra-group.eu/activities/scholarships
Only the universities listed at the bottom of this page are taking part in the 2025 edition of this Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme

The Coimbra Group Office will individually acknowledge each application received. Within two weeks of
submitting the online application, candidates should receive an email from the Coimbra Group Office
confirming whether their application has been validated or not. This will be the only acknowledgement of
receipt. If candidates do not receive the confirmation message it means that their application was not
submitted correctly or there was a technical problem. In that case, please contact office@coimbra-group.eu no later than 14 April 2025.

The dates, and the structure, of the visit which will be carried out in the academic year 2025/2026 at the host university will be agreed upon with the host tutor/supervisor at the recipient institution. All practical details concerning the mobility period, scholarship payment, certificates and visa procedures should be discussed directly with the host university, and not with the Coimbra Group Office.

Applicants should identify a research supervisor at the selected host university (through the website of the university of their choice, or by contacting the contact person at the selected host university and provide his/her name and contact details in the application form.

Applicants are expected to make contact with their research supervisor at the selected host university and submit a letter/e-mail of acceptance, together with their application form, which proves that the candidate has been accepted to carry out research under his/her supervision. The letter must clearly state the willingness of the tutor to supervise the work of the candidate during the research stay. This letter should be uploaded on the application form. Applications which do not fulfil this requirement will not be considered. The Coimbra Group Office is unable to help you with finding a supervisor.

Applicants are not expected to provide any other documents at this stage, although they may be requested to do so by the university they have applied for at a later stage.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply under this scholarship programme and will be prioritised.

Selection Procedure

The administrative check of applications will be undertaken by the Coimbra Group Office in order to select candidates who meet the eligibility criteria.

Candidates must indicate the name and contact details of an academic supervisor at the host university and provide proof of acceptance (a letter or e-mail). Applications which do not fulfil this requirement will not be considered.

The selection of candidates will be undertaken directly by the host universities. They may request additional documents. When the selection has been agreed upon, the host university may send a letter of invitation directly to the successful candidate.

The Coimbra Group Office will contact all candidates and inform them about the result of their application by the end of June 2025.

Successful candidates currently employed by a university are responsible for ensuring that their home
institution will grant them leave of absence to undertake the proposed visit.

Obligations of the Grant Holder

  • Comply with the legal requirements (in terms of insurance, visa, etc.) of the host country.
  • Send to the Coimbra Group Office a letter/email of acceptance of the scholarship in the conditions offered by the university at which he/she was accepted and with the benefits outlined in this Call for Applications.
  • Include a mention of the Coimbra Group Scholarship whenever results of the research programme are published.

Consent of data use

When submitting an application for a Coimbra Group scholarship, the candidate agrees to allow the Coimbra Group to use their data (name, surname, country, e-mail address) for sending electronic communication to the candidate’s email address in connection with future calls for applications of the Coimbra Group Scholarship Programmes.

To withdraw your consent please send an email to info@coimbra-group.eu

The Coimbra Group

The Coimbra Group, which was set up in 1987, is an association of European universities. It aims to increase co-operation amongst its members by enhancing special academic and cultural ties and creating channels of information and exchange.
More information about the Coimbra Group can be found on the association’s website: www.coimbragroup.eu.
Further details about the universities taking part in the Scholarship Programme for young African researchers may be found directly on their own web site at the addresses included in the information below.

Contact Details

For further information please contact the Coimbra Group Office at office@coimbra-group.eu

Please refer to the information below for the specific conditions set by each Coimbra Group University participating in this Scholarship Programme

University of Barcelona (Spain)

University of Bergen (Norway)

  • Number of grants offered: 2
  • Eligible countries: All
  • Field(s) of study: All
  • Insurance and amount: No
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1800€/month + Reimbursement will be provided for a return economy flight, up to a maximum of 1200€
  • Duration of the grant period: From 1 – 3 months
  • Selection criteria (optional): Applicants must be PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, or junior researchers.
  • Contact person: Rosa Nogueira
  • Email: rosa.nogueira@uib.no
  • Website: www.uib.no
  • Remarks:
    Candidates should independently contact a potential supervisor by checking the websites of the departments and individual researchers to find the relevant contacts for the research field they are interested in (www.uib.no) .
  • Once they have identified a suitable supervisor, they should contact them by sending a CV and a tentative research plan/proposal. When contacting UiB researchers, they should refer to the following link for contextual information: UiB deltar i Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme
  • The research project proposal should demonstrate how the stay will lead to further academic initiatives between UiB and their host institution. An invitation letter must be attached to the application.

University of Coimbra (Portugal)

  • Number of grants offered: 2
  • Eligible countries: Eligible countries: all African countries except Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia
  • Field(s) of study: All
  • Insurance and amount: 0
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 750€ per month + 1.100€ travel support
  • Duration of the grant period: Maximum 3 months
  • Selection criteria (optional): document that will be available on the website
  • Contact person: Cláudia Plácido
  • Email: dri.scholarships@uc.pt; silvia.silva@uc.pt
  • Website: https://www.uc.pt/dri/bolsas-e-premios/bolsas-para-investigacao-ensino-e-formacao/coimbra-group/
  • Remarks: none

University of Cologne (Germany)

  • Number of grants offered: 1
  • Eligible countries: Africa
  • Field(s) of study: African Studies, Social Geography, International Penalty Law, Plant Sciences
  • Insurance and amount: see remarks
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 6.000€
  • Duration of the grant period: 3 months
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: Christiane Biehl, International Office
  • Email: c.biehl@verw.uni-koeln.de
  • Website: https://portal.uni-koeln.de/international
  • Remarks: 1.500€ Travel Costs Lump Sum, 3×1.500€ Monthly Grant

University of Granada (Spain)

  • Number of grants offered: 3
  • Eligible countries: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo
  • Field(s) of study: All
  • Insurance and amount: Included (148€)
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 750 €/month travel expenses up to 800€
    will be reimbursed
  • Duration of the grant period: Minimum: 1 month. Maximum: 3 months
  • Selection criteria (optional): See here: https://coimbra.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/CGOffice/EaF_4-0DqbpAmFaKY13zwzQBvdpu-kriw09klAQ913e9xQ?e=VTfUqQ 
  • Contact person: Ms María Virtudes Martín Fernández
  • Email: admoncicode@ugr.es
  • Website: https://escuelaposgrado.ugr.es/doctorado/escuelas/international-offer/index
  • Remarks:
    It is mandatory to read this document before preparing an application: https://tinyurl.com/ugr2025
    The University of Granada does not provide accommodation to the grant holder.
    A pre-admission letter signed by the research tutor at UGR is mandatory in order to be eligible for the grant at our University, which means that the candidate should have prior contact with the UGR professors/officers before applying for the grant.
    Applicants (doctoral students, postdoctoral or junior researchers) must include a letter of motivation, clearly stating the expected impacts of the stay for both the candidate and the home institution. This letter will constitute an additional criterion for the final selection.

University of Graz (Austria)

  • Number of grants offered: 2
  • Eligible countries: All; as indicated eligible by the Coimbra Group
  • Field(s) of study: All disciplines offered at the University of Graz. For more information, go to: https://www.uni-graz.at/en/university/faculties/ Please note, we do not have a Faculty of Medicine, a Faculty of Veterinary Medicine or an Institute of Agriculture, for example.
  • Insurance and amount: The scholarship holders are responsible for organizing adequate insurance
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1.000€/month + 1.200€ for travel 
  • Duration of the grant period: 2 months
  • Selection criteria (optional): Quality of the application.  
  • Contact person: Anja Krobath
  • Email: staffmobility@uni-graz.at
  • Website: https://www.uni-graz.at/en/
  • Remarks:
    Please note that the scholarship period is 2 months. Access to computer and library. Uni Graz will provide assistance in finding accommodation. Uni Graz does not provide insurance for visitors. Applicants should establish contact with a supervising professor at the University of Graz before applying and submit a letter of invitation or email correspondence together with the application.

University of Groningen (The Netherlands)

  • Number of grants offered: 1
  • Eligible countries: Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan
  • Field(s) of study: All. Preferably, the research fits one of UG’s interdisciplinary schools (https://www.rug.nl/society-business/schools-for-science-society/)
  • Insurance and amount: €50 per month
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1.500€ per month + max. 1.500€ travel costs for one round trip
  • Duration of the grant period: 2 months
  • Selection criteria (optional):
    Applicants are expected to contact researchers in their field of interest at the University of Groningen themselves (please see the link provided) and discuss a potential visit.
    When contacting a potential host, applicants should include a CV as well as a research plan/proposal.
    Upon mutual agreement of the visit, the host will provide a pre-acceptance letter, which will need to be uploaded during the application process.
    Selection based on pre-acceptance, motivation, academic and strategic fit.
  • Contact person: Melina Ekic
  • Email: m.ekic@rug.nl; msd@rug.nl
  • Website: https://www.rug.nl/research/
  • Remarks:
    Objective: the visit of maximum 2 months is meant for an early career research visit. Candidates can already have a PhD or are developing a PhD research proposal.
    The visit should lead to a (draft) paper, PhD proposal and further collaboration between the home institution and the partners at the University of Groningen.
    Available facilities: Access to computer and library; visa service (if required).
    Applicants should be in contact with a colleague/ professor (host) from the University of Groningen before applying.
    When contacting the potential host, it is required to include a CV and research plan/proposal. The host will provide an acceptance letter which should be uploaded in the application.
    Latest possible starting date: 31 December 2025

Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany)

  • Number of grants offered: 1 Postdoc researcher on postdoctoral level
  • Eligible countries: all countries in Subsaharan-Africa
  • Field(s) of study: All
  • Insurance and amount: All
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1800€ per month
  • Duration of the grant period: 3 Months (in the period September-December 2025) 
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: Susanne Golz 
  • Email: gawi@uni-jena.de
  • Website: https://www.uni-jena.de/en
  • Remarks:
    Applicants will need a pre-acceptance letter by a University of Jena Professor. It is the responsibility of the applicant to identify and contact a potential supervisor at the University of Jena. Please check the websites of the faculties to find out the research field of the professors and contact him/her by sending a CV and research plan/proposal. The pre-acceptance letter/ mail must be uploaded to the application.
    Facilities: Access to computer and library
    The university will provide assistance in finding accommodation.

Heidelberg University (Germany)

  • Number of grants offered: 2
  • Eligible countries: No restriction
  • Field(s) of study: No restriction
  • Insurance and amount: N/A
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1200€ per month
  • Duration of the grant period: 1-3 months
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: Nicole Dorn
  • Email: dorn@zuv.uni-heidelberg.de
  • Website: N/A
  • Remarks:

Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi (Romania)

  • Number of grants offered: 1
  • Eligible countries: All African countries except Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia 
  • Field(s) of study: All study fields included in the academic offer of the University (http://www.uaic.ro/en/)
  • Insurance and amount: Not provided
  • Amount available for each scholarship: Free accommodation in a University guest residence
    + Plane tickets purchased by the University
    + a scholarship of 1500 RON (approx 300€)”
  • Duration of the grant period: 1 month
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: Ioana Serafinceanu
  • Email: ioana.serafinceanu@uaic.ro
  • Website: www.uaic.ro
  • Remarks:

İstanbul University (Turkey)

  • Number of grants offered: 1
  • Eligible countries: All
  • Field(s) of study: All
  • Insurance and amount: Not provided
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1.000€ per month
  • Duration of the grant period: 3 months
  • Selection criteria (optional):
    The research project proposal should include expected results lead to further academic actions between home and host institutions.
  • Contact person: Deniz Çelik
  • Email: iu.international@istanbul.edu.tr
  • Website: https://www.istanbul.edu.tr/en/_
  • Remarks:
    • İstanbul University does not fund the travel costs.
    • İstanbul University does not provide insurance for visitors. İstanbul University has a total of 2 available spots.
    • Applicants (preferably doctoral students, postdoctoral or junior researchers) should establish contact with a supervising professor at the university before applying and submit a letter of invitation together with the application.
    • Invitaton letters should be issued by the International Academic Relations Office upon the consent of the supervisor

The Jagiellonian University in Kraków (Poland)

  • Number of grants offered: 1
  • Eligible countries: All countries  
  • Field(s) of study: All academic disciplines, except scientific areas provided by Medical College
  • Insurance and amount: Not provided
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1.600€ – the scholarship is intended to cover all expenses related to the research visit
  • Duration of the grant period: one (1) month
  • Selection criteria (optional): Only candidates who hold the title of professor or a doctoral degree are eligible
  • Contact person: Magdalena Czarnik
  • Email: magdalena.czarnik@uj.edu.pl
  • Website: https://en.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/about-university/faculties-and-other-units/faculties
  • Remarks:
    Note: Only candidates who hold the title of professor or a doctoral degree are eligible.

    The University does not provide insurance, and does not fund travel costs and accommodation to the grant holder. The scholarship is intended to cover all expenses related to the research visit.

    Applicants should establish contact with a supervising professor at the university before applying and submit a letter of invitation together with the application. When contacting the potential host, it is required to include a CV and research plan.

University of Padova (Italy)

  • Number of grants offered: 2
  • Eligible countries: Benin,Burkina Faso,Camerun,Cote d’Ivoire,Congo,Etiopia,Guinea Bissau,Kenya,Madagascar,Mauritania,Mozambico,Nigeria,Rwanda,Senegal,Somalia,South Africa,Sudan,Sud Sudan,Tanzania,Uganda
  • Field(s) of study: All
  • Insurance and amount: The University insurance covers the academic activities. Visitors should have their own insurance to cover travel, stay health and personal property.
  • Amount available for each scholarship:
    Lump sum   1 month: 2.000€      2 months: 2.800€         3 months: 3.600€
  • Duration of the grant period: from 1 to 3 months (September 2025 – June 2026)
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: Fiorella De Gobbi
  • Email: fiorella.degobbi@unipd.it
  • Website: www.unipd.it
  • Remarks:
    Applicants should establish contact with a supervisor professor at the University of Padua before applying and submit the invitation letter or email together with the application.
    Emails to potential host research supervisors must include CV and research proposals, including topics and dates.

University of Pavia (Italy)

  • Number of grants offered: 1
  • Eligible countries: All countries of Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Field(s) of study: All fields of study offered at the University of Pavia
  • Insurance and amount: The University of Pavia will issue the ICS Complete AON student insurance for the period of stay in Pavia (41,40€/month).
    Link: https://www.aonstudentinsurance.com/students/en/
  • Amount available for each scholarship:
    Costs covered by the University of Pavia:
    TRAVEL COSTS:  economy class return flight
    HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY
    Return flight tickets and health insurance policy will be issued directly by the University of Pavia
    ACCOMMODATION: a single room at a University student residence
    MEALS: free of charge canteen card for the meals (lunch and dinner) at a University canteen
    SCHOLARSHIP: pocket money of 150€ per week
  • Duration of the grant period: From 4 to 12 weeks
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: Stefania Ferrari
  • Email: cicops@unipv.it
  • Website: http://wcm-3.unipv.it/site/en/home.htm
  • Remarks:
    To apply it is mandatory to obtain an invitation letter from a tutor/supervisor at the University of Pavia.
    CICOPS can help applicants to get in touch with professors/researchers of the University of Pavia who may have similar interests and may be willing to collaborate with them.

University of Poitiers (France)

Charles University, Prague (Czech Republic)- Faculty of Science

  • Number of grants offered: 4
  • Eligible countries: All
  • Field(s) of study: biology, chemisty, geology, geography
  • Insurance and amount: none
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1200€
  • Duration of the grant period: 1 month
  • Selection criteria (optional): consent of the supervisor at CU
  • Contact person: Pavla Pousková
  • Email: pavla.pouskova@natur.cuni.cz
  • Website: https://natur.cuni.cz/en
  • Remarks:

Charles University, Prague
(Czech Republic)- International Relations Office (rectorate)

  • Number of grants offered: 2
  • Eligible countries: All
  • Field(s) of study: all
  • Insurance and amount: none
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1000€
  • Duration of the grant period: 1-3 month
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: Sylvie Boumová
  • Email: sylvie.boumova@ruk.cuni.cz
  • Website: https://cuni.cz/UKEN-607.html
  • Remarks:

University of Salamanca (Spain)

  • Number of grants offered: 1
  • Eligible countries: All; as indicated eligible by the Coimbra Group
  • Field(s) of study: Any field
  • Insurance and amount: No
  • Amount available for each scholarship: Accommodation and food
  • Duration of the grant period: 1 month
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: María Teresa Hernández
  • Email: rrii@usal.es
  • Website: https://rel-int.usal.es/es/
  • Remarks:

University of Siena (Italy)

  • Number of grants offered: 1
  • Eligible countries: All African countries except Algeria, Egypt, Lybia, Morocco, Tunisia
  • Field(s) of study: any subject area, subject to the approval of the relevant hos department
  • Insurance and amount: The University provides accident insurance and public liability insurance. Visitors will require to hold their own health insurance. The University is unuble to assist with travel costs.
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1,000.00Euro/month; free meals at the University canteens, free accommodation at the University residences
  • Duration of the grant period: from 1 month (minimum duration)  to 3 months (maximum duration)
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: Candida Calvo, Patrizia Butini
  • Email: visiting@unisi.it
  • Website: visiting@unisi.it
  • Remarks: Applicants should have received approval by the tutor at the host university before applying (please include a letter/email from your potential supervisor at the University of Siena as proof). 

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (Germany)

  • Number of grants offered: 1
  • Eligible countries: Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria
  • Field(s) of study: All
  • Insurance and amount:
  • Amount available for each scholarship: 1200€ per month plus accomodation in guest house
  • Duration of the grant period: up to three month
  • Selection criteria (optional):
  • Contact person: Merle Bollmann
  • Email: merle.bollmann@uni-wuezburg.de
  • Website: https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/
  • Remarks: