The AEIP Scholars Programme pairs African and European PhD and postdoctoral researchers to collaborate on joint research aligned with the AU-EU Innovation Agenda. Top 3 pairs present in Europe in June 2027. Applications close 31 August 2026.

What Is the AEIP Scholars Programme?

The AEIP Scholars Programme 2026–27 is a collaborative research initiative that matches African and European PhD students and postdoctoral researchers into joint research pairs — creating structured, intercontinental academic partnerships designed to produce practical, solution-driven outputs.

Ten scholars are selected globally. They are paired into five Africa-Europe research teams. Each pair develops a joint research output addressing shared challenges. The top three pairs are invited to present their work at the AEIP Stakeholders Event in Europe in June 2027 — fully sponsored.

The programme aligns with the AU-EU Innovation Agenda’s Capacities for Science action — the formal framework driving cooperation between African Union and European Union research institutions.

Applications close: 31 August 2026

Who Can Apply?

All four criteria must be met:

• Aged between 25 and 35
• Based in Africa or Europe
• Currently enrolled in a PhD, Postdoc, or further studies at the time of application
• Have ongoing or completed research — a thesis, dissertation, or research project — aligned with the AU-EU Innovation Agenda Capacities for Science action

The programme is open to scholars from any discipline, provided their research connects to the AU-EU cooperation agenda. Relevant research areas include science and technology, digital transformation, education systems, youth employment, climate and sustainability, health, agriculture, and innovation ecosystems.

What Happens If You’re Selected?

Stage 1: Application (July–August 2026)

Submit an abstract of your research through the Expression of Interest form. Applications are assessed on relevance, academic quality, innovation potential, and alignment with Africa-Europe cooperation priorities.

Stage 2: Selection and Pairing (September 2026)

Ten scholars are selected — five from Africa, five from Europe. Pairs are matched based on shared or complementary research themes.

Stage 3: Collaboration (September 2026 – March 2027)

Each Africa-Europe pair works together over six months to:

• Develop a joint research output
• Design a practical, solution-oriented innovation derived from their research
• Prepare a pitch presenting their solution to an expert panel

Stage 4: Evaluation (April 2027)

Submitted outputs are reviewed by an expert panel. Solutions are assessed on:

• Impact on women and youth
• Potential to strengthen people, communities, and institutions
• Strength of the solution model
• Technology-driven approach
• Feasibility and realism

Stage 5: Final Showcase (June 2027)

The top three scholar pairs are sponsored to present at the AEIP Stakeholders Meeting in Europe. This is the programme’s flagship moment — showcasing co-created, scalable solutions to a stakeholder audience across Africa-Europe research and innovation networks.

What the Programme Produces

Each participating pair is expected to deliver:

• A co-created, solution-based research output
• A practical innovation addressing challenges relevant to both Africa and Europe
• Strengthened Africa-Europe academic partnerships
• Enhanced capacity for inclusive and sustainable development

For the top three pairs, add: sponsored travel, presentation at a European stakeholder event, and recognition as finalists in a programme aligned with the AU-EU Innovation Agenda.

How to Apply

The application is an Expression of Interest — primarily a research abstract submission.

Your abstract will be assessed on:

• Relevance to AU-EU cooperation priorities
• Academic quality of the research
• Innovation potential of the proposed or ongoing work
• Alignment with the Capacities for Science action

Tips for a Strong Application

Make the Africa-Europe connection explicit. The programme pairs scholars across continents. Your abstract should make clear why your research has relevance to challenges on both sides of the partnership — don’t assume the panel will make that connection for you.

Lead with the problem, not the methodology. The evaluation framework prioritises impact — on women, youth, communities, and institutions. Frame your research in terms of what it addresses and who benefits.

Show the innovation angle. The programme is explicitly looking for technology-driven, scalable solutions. If your research has a practical application or policy dimension, foreground it.

Be specific about your AU-EU alignment. The AU-EU Innovation Agenda Capacities for Science action covers digital education, youth employability, talent mobility, joint training, and research partnerships. Identify which of these your work connects to most directly.

Why This Programme Matters

Most international research collaboration happens between established professors with existing networks. The AEIP Scholars Programme deliberately inverts this — it’s designed for PhD students and postdocs aged 25–35, at the stage of a research career where international partnerships are hardest to access but most impactful in the long run.

For African scholars, being selected means:

• A structured six-month collaboration with a European researcher in your field
• A co-authored output that strengthens your publication and portfolio
• Entry into AU-EU research networks and stakeholder communities
• A potential trip to Europe to present your work at a high-profile stakeholder event

For Nigerian researchers specifically: with Nigerian universities increasingly engaged in AU-EU knowledge exchange frameworks, and with the programme’s explicit focus on reducing talent drain and improving youth employability — this is a genuinely aligned opportunity.

Programme Timeline

Quick Facts

Apply Now

Submit your research abstract through the Expression of Interest form before 31 August 2026.

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the AEIP Scholars Programme 2026–27