The PERI-ACE project is supporting at least 40 emerging scholars through a range of funded academic and professional mobility opportunities designed to strengthen employability, academic development and regional collaboration.
The programme supports Master’s and doctoral studies, traineeships and staff mobility, with funding structured to help eligible participants pursue academic opportunities while gaining valuable international and regional experience.
The initiative places a strong emphasis on climate-related priorities, inclusion, gender equity and opportunities for candidates from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.
Scholarship and Mobility Opportunities
The 40 mobility opportunities are distributed across several categories, allowing participants to pursue different forms of academic and professional development.
Master’s scholarships include both full-degree mobility opportunities lasting 24 months and credit-seeking mobility opportunities lasting 10 months. These pathways are intended for students seeking to advance their postgraduate education while gaining exposure to different academic environments.
Doctoral scholarships provide 36 months of research support for doctoral programmes aligned with regional climate priorities. The doctoral component is particularly relevant to emerging researchers whose work contributes to addressing climate and sustainability challenges affecting Africa.
The programme also offers five-month traineeship placements at associated partner institutions, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).
In addition, the programme provides for one special-needs scholarship, designed to support a candidate with a disability.
What the Scholarships Cover
PERI-ACE scholarship contributions are designed to address several of the major costs associated with academic mobility.
Funding can cover travel expenses, visa application fees and living costs, including accommodation and subsistence. Living allowances are paid to students monthly in local currency at an equivalent value in euros.
This financial support is intended to reduce the financial barriers that can prevent talented students from accessing international and regional academic opportunities.
Institutional and Academic Support
The programme also provides institutional contributions for each scholarship to help meet academic and administrative expenses.
Eligible costs may include tuition fees, research expenses and laboratory costs, depending on the requirements of the academic programme. Funding can also support participation in relevant conferences, seminars and boot camps held on campus or within the country.
Participation in these academic and professional activities is expected to take place under the guidance of the student’s academic lead, helping ensure that mobility opportunities contribute meaningfully to the student’s academic and professional development.
Support for Students with Disabilities
PERI-ACE incorporates dedicated support mechanisms for students with disabilities. The programme recognizes that equitable access to education requires more than financial assistance and therefore provides resources designed to address individual accessibility and academic needs.
Special-needs support may include tailored study materials, appropriate academic support solutions, disability wellness resources and emotional support.
These measures are intended to help students participate effectively in academic life, integrate into campus communities and pursue their studies with appropriate support.
Commitment to Inclusion and Equity
Inclusion and equitable access are central components of the PERI-ACE mobility programme. The initiative actively seeks to increase the participation of women across all mobility categories, with deliberate outreach to women pursuing climate-related STEM fields.
Applications are also encouraged from candidates who face structural or socioeconomic barriers to higher education and international mobility.
The programme specifically welcomes applications from individuals from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, fragile states and least-developed regions, as well as candidates with refugee status and disabilities.
Regional diversity is another important consideration. Mobility opportunities are intended to be distributed equitably among participants from different nationalities, helping strengthen academic connections and knowledge exchange across the African continent.
Supporting Climate-Focused Research and Skills
A key feature of the programme is its focus on academic and professional development linked to regional climate priorities. Through doctoral research, postgraduate study and professional traineeships, PERI-ACE aims to strengthen the skills and expertise needed to address complex climate and sustainability challenges.
For emerging scholars, the opportunities can provide more than financial support. Participants can gain exposure to new academic environments, build professional networks, access specialized resources and develop experience that can enhance their future employability.
European Union Co-Funding
The PERI-ACE project is co-funded by the European Union under the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme (NDICI-2024-MOBAF).
The programme forms part of broader efforts to promote academic mobility, regional cooperation, skills development and knowledge exchange across Africa. Its combination of financial assistance, institutional support and inclusion measures is designed to help emerging scholars access opportunities that can contribute to their long-term academic and professional growth.
Prospective applicants should consult the official PERI-ACE application information and eligibility requirements before submitting an application. Candidates should also review the available academic programmes, mobility categories and application procedures to determine which opportunity best matches their qualifications and career objectives.
