Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2026

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a prestigious postgraduate scholarship run by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation in South Africa. It is designed to support outstanding young Africans who show strong academic ability, leadership potential, and commitment to creating positive change on the continent.

The programme funds Honours and Master's degrees at recognised universities in South Africa. In addition to academic funding, scholars take part in a structured leadership development programme built around the Foundation's core principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. This combination of postgraduate study and leadership training is a defining feature of the scholarship.

The scholarship is generally considered fully funded. Based on recent postings, support may include tuition and registration fees, accommodation and meals, study materials, medical aid, a personal allowance, research and conference support, and economy-class flights for international scholars. Some costs, such as university application fees, credential verification, and visa fees, may not be covered.

Applicants are typically expected to be citizens of an African country, be within the programme's age range, hold an undergraduate degree with strong academic results, and be able to study in English at postgraduate level. The scholarship is intended for students who want to pair academic study with ethical leadership and service to Africa.

Applications are usually made through the Mandela Rhodes Foundation's scholarship process, and candidates normally need to apply separately for admission to an eligible South African university. Because requirements can vary by cycle, applicants should always confirm the latest eligibility rules, timelines, and document checklist on the Foundation's official channels before applying.