RUFORUM and Mastercard TAGDev 2.0 Scholarships 2026 Across African Universities (Fully Funded Master’s & Graduate Funding)

The TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship Programme 2026–2027, implemented by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is now open for applications. This fully funded initiative supports postgraduate education across 12 African universities, focusing on agriculture, rural development, and food security.

The programme is one of the largest continent-wide scholarship initiatives aimed at strengthening Africa’s agricultural innovation and development capacity.

The TAGDev 2.0 scholarship is fully funded and includes:

• Full tuition fee coverage
• Living stipend for selected students
• Academic and research support
• Access to development-focused training
• Networking opportunities across African universities
• Career development and entrepreneurship support

The programme also provides long-term professional development support through the Mastercard Foundation ecosystem.

• Master’s Degree (Postgraduate)
• Selected institutions may also offer related graduate-level training
• Academic Year: 2026/2027
• Study Location: 12 universities across Africa

What is TAGDev 2.0?

TAGDev stands for Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Better Contribute to Growth and Development.

The programme aims to:

• Strengthen agricultural education in Africa
• Support rural development and food systems
• Build skilled graduates for African development challenges
• Promote innovation in agriculture and agribusiness

TAGDev 2.0 expands on earlier RUFORUM-Mastercard Foundation initiatives by increasing the number of partner universities and scholarship opportunities across the continent.

Open to students from African countries.

To apply for the TAGDev 2.0 scholarship, candidates must:

• Be African citizens (or eligible residents as defined by partner universities)
• Apply to one of the participating universities
• Meet academic requirements for the selected programme
• Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to community impact

Priority Groups:

The programme strongly encourages applications from:

• Women
• Refugees and internally displaced persons
• Persons with disabilities
• Students from marginalized communities

The application process varies slightly by university but generally follows these steps:

Step 1: Choose a University

• Select one of the 12 partner universities

Step 2: Apply for Admission

• Submit application through the university’s official portal

Step 3: Scholarship Consideration

• Eligible applicants are automatically considered for TAGDev funding

Step 4: Submit Supporting Documents

• Academic transcripts
• Identification documents
• Motivation statement (where required)

Each university manages its own selection process.

Application Deadline

• Last Date to Apply: 1 May 2026

Applicants are advised to apply early due to multiple institutional deadlines and document verification requirements.

Why TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship Matters

This programme is significant because it:

• Strengthens Africa’s agricultural education system
• Supports food security and rural development goals
• Provides equal access to higher education for marginalized groups
• Builds a continent-wide network of skilled agricultural professionals
• Encourages graduates to contribute to Africa’s development

Backed by the Mastercard Foundation, TAGDev 2.0 is one of the most impactful scholarship programmes in African higher education.

About RUFORUM

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is a consortium of African universities focused on improving agricultural education, research, and innovation across the continent.