In today’s globalised world, the pursuit of development has become a top priority for governments and organisations worldwide. The need for qualified professionals with a deep understanding of development-related issues has also increased, leading to a surge in interest in development studies.
There are numerous scholarships available for students from developing countries who wish to pursue these studies. For example, students from Nigeria can apply for scholarships to study in countries such as the UK, United States, Germany, Belgium, and Japan.
They are typically sponsored by universities, foreign governments, and international organisations, with the aim of supporting the education and training of the next generation of leaders in development.
By providing financial support for development-related studies, these scholarships play a crucial role in advancing the goals of sustainable development and ensuring that developing countries have the knowledge and expertise they need to build a better future.
Here are 12 scholarships in development studies for Nigerian students:
1. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
Commonwealth Scholarships are intended for students from developing Commonwealth countries who wish to pursue Master’s or Ph.D. studies in the United Kingdom. Although all subject areas are eligible, the CSC’s selection criteria prioritize proposals that demonstrate great relevance to development. Each scholarship includes among other things, airfare to and from the United Kingdom, tuition and examination costs, a personal maintenance allowance, a thesis award (if available), and an initial arrival allowance.
2. Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Masters Scholarships at the University of Sheffield (UK)
In collaboration with the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust and the Sheffield Institute for International Development, the University of Sheffield offers three scholarships per year to international students from developing countries for a variety of courses affiliated with the Sheffield Institute for International Development. Each scholarship includes a full tuition fee waiver, university housing maintenance, and a monthly stipend.
3. Rotary Foundation Global Grants (Any country)
The Rotary Foundation Global Grants funds scholarships with long-term, high-impact outcomes in one of Rotary’s six development focus areas: peace and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water, and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. The research grants are worth at least $30,000. The study grants can generally be used in any country where there is a Rotary club or district.
4. OFID Scholarship Award (Any Country)
OFID (The OPEC Fund for International Development) provides fully-funded scholarships to successful applicants seeking a Master’s degree in a development-related discipline from an accredited university anywhere in the world (subject to approval). The winner of the OFID Scholarship Award will receive up to $50,000 in tuition assistance, as well as a monthly allowance to cover living expenses, books, and housing.
5. Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Program (Multiple Countries)
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program offers scholarships to students from World Bank member countries to pursue development-related studies at selected universities worldwide. The scholarships cover the cost of completing a master’s degree or its equivalent, including tuition, living expenses, and travel expenses.
6. DAAD Scholarships for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides international students with scholarships for a variety of postgraduate development courses at German universities. The scholarships are intended to provide academically educated young professionals from developing countries with additional specialized studies. The scholarships include payments of 750 euros per month for graduates and 1,000 euros per month for doctoral candidates, as well as payments for health, accident, and personal liability insurance and a travel allowance unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding.
7. KAAD Scholarships for Developing Countries (Germany)
The KAAD scholarships are intended for postgraduates and academics with prior professional experience who wish to pursue postgraduate studies (or research stays) in Germany. The scholarships are intended for citizens of developing or emerging African, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Latin American countries. There is no specific subject preference, but there is a preference for “development-oriented” studies or studies that will be relevant to the applicant’s home country.
8. ADB Japan Scholarship Program (Asian countries)
The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) aims to provide well-qualified citizens of ADB’s developing member countries with the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in economics, management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at Asian and Pacific academic institutions. The scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly subsistence and housing allowance, a book and instructional material allowance, medical insurance, and travel expenses.
9. VLIR-UOS Scholarship Program (Belgium)
VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from developing countries each year to study in one of the 15 International Course Programmes (ICPs) or one of the 6 International Training Programmes (ITPs) in development-related fields. The scholarships cover all related expenses, such as allowance, lodging, travel expenses, tuition, and insurance.
10. Hubert Humphrey Fellowships Program (USA)
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a year of professional enrichment in the United States for experienced professionals from designated countries throughout the world for development-related studies. The Fellowship provides ten months of non-degree academic study and related professional experiences in the United States. The Fellowship takes care of tuition fees, living allowance, accident and sickness coverage, book allowance, air travel, etc.
11. Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld Scholarship and Leadership Programme (UK)
The Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld Scholarship and Leadership Programme provide funding for outstanding students from transition and emerging economies in Africa, Asia, and South America to pursue graduate studies at Oxford University. Graduate programs in agriculture, health care, environmental and water management, economics, and public and foreign policy are all eligible programs of study. The scholarship covers all university and college fees as well as a living allowance.
12. UEA International Development Scholarships (UK)
The School of International Development offers competitive scholarships equal to full EU or International fees to students enrolled in any of the University of East Anglia’s full-time Master’s programs. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition (£17,600).
