Fully Funded Masters and PhD Scholarships in Engineering and Physics for African Students

A fully funded scholarship opportunity  co-funded by the African Union and the European Union  is now open for African students pursuing Masters and PhD degrees in engineering, physics, and solar manufacturing technologies.

The LASOMA Scholarship Call 2026 (Laser Enabled Manufacturing of Solar Systems) is building research capacity in solar manufacturing across Africa through advanced laser technologies and AI-powered systems and four universities across Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria are participating, and Rwandan students  along with all other African nationals  are eligible to apply.

The call opened on 8th May 2026. The deadline is 22nd June 2026. Notification of selected applicants is expected by 13th July 2026, with studies beginning in September 2026.

What Is LASOMA?

LASOMA stands for Laser Enabled Manufacturing of Solar Systems  which is a continent-wide research initiative designed to build Africa's capacity in solar energy manufacturing using cutting-edge laser technologies and artificial intelligence.This  programme is co-funded by the African Union and the European Union, giving it significant institutional credibility and financial backing and it is part of a broader push to position Africa as not just a consumer of solar technology, but a manufacturer and innovator in the clean energy space.

So, students with a background in engineering or physics who are interested in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, or AI-powered systems, this is one of the most relevant and well-resourced scholarship opportunities available on the continent in 2026.

Participating Universities and Available Programmes

Four universities across three African countries are offering scholarships under the LASOMA programme:

Pentecost University  Ghana

This university is offering PhD in Engineering (Manufacturing, Intelligence Engineering Systems, Electrical & Electronic Engineering) and MSc in Intelligence Engineering Systems (Robotics and Automation, Smart Manufacturing, Embedded Systems)

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology  Kenya which is offering PhD in Mechatronic Engineering and MSc in Mechatronic Engineering

 

Federal University, Lokoja ,  Nigeria Which is offering PhD in Engineering Physics, MSc in Solid State Physics and MSc in Engineering Physics

Federal University of Technology, Minna , Nigeria which is offering PhD in trial and Production Engineering, PhD in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering and M.Eng in Mechanical Engineering (Materials and Metallurgical, Industrial and Production)

 Benefits

 Every LASOMA scholarship covers the following:

•        Tuition fees which  is  fully covered for the duration of the programme
•       Monthly stipend ,  PhD: €330 per month | MSc: €90 per month
•       Insurance  health coverage for the duration of studies
•      Technical Research Workshops  access to advanced research training and workshops

This is a fully funded scholarship meaning recipients do not pay tuition and receive a living stipend throughout their studies.

Eligibility :Who Can Apply?

The following criteria apply to all applicants regardless of which university or programme they are applying to:

1.  National of an African country
   
2.  Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline and  the specific requirement depends on whether you are applying for an MSc or PhD programme
3.  Strong academic and research potential as  the programme is research-focused; your academic record and any prior research experience will be central to the evaluation
4.  Female candidates, persons with disabilities, and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply  as  LASOMA has an explicit commitment to inclusive participation
5. Must meet the specific academic and language requirements of the host university  So, check each university's requirements directly before applying, as these vary by institution and programme

 

Documents Required for Application

Prepare all of the following before starting your application:

1.  Academic transcripts and certificates  for all previous degrees
2.  CV :  updated, highlighting academic achievements, research experience, and relevant skills
3.  Motivation letter explaining why you are applying, your research interests, and how LASOMA aligns with your career goals. This is one of the most important documents in your application  write it specifically for this programme, not generically
4. Research proposal  outlining the research you intend to pursue. This must be relevant to solar manufacturing, laser technologies, or AI-powered engineering systems
5. Two recommendation letters  from academic supervisors, lecturers, or professional references who can speak directly to your research potential
6. Completed application form  available at the LASOMA portal

7. 2-minute elevator pitch video PhD applicants only. A short video in which you present yourself, your research interests, and why you should be selected. Keep it concise, clear, and professional.

Important Dates

How to Apply

All applications are submitted through the official LASOMA portal:

🔗 https://pums.pentvars.edu.gh/lasoma/index

For more information, contact: 📧 [email protected]

Tips for a Strong LASOMA Application

Write a focused motivation letter. Generic motivation letters are immediately identifiable and rarely succeed in competitive scholarship applications meaning your letter must explain specifically why solar manufacturing and laser technologies interest you, what research question you want to pursue, and why the specific university and programme you are applying to is the right fit for your goals.

Invest in your research proposal. For PhD applicants especially, the research proposal is the centrepiece of your application should be original, feasible within the programme's scope, and directly relevant to LASOMA's focus areas  laser-enabled manufacturing, solar systems, and AI-powered production and If you have an academic supervisor who can review it before submission, use that resource.

Record your elevator pitch video carefully. PhD applicants need a 2-minute video, write a script first, practise it until it sounds natural, then record in a quiet, well-lit environment, state your name, your academic background, your research interest, and one sentence on why you should be selected and two minutes is short as every word counts.

Apply early. The deadline is 22nd June 2026  that is six weeks away.  So, recommendation letters take time. Research proposals take time also   ranscripts need to be certified. Starting today gives you the best possible submission.

Check host university language requirements. Pentecost University (Ghana) and Jomo Kenyatta University (Kenya) teach primarily in English  and also Federal University Lokoja and Federal University of Technology Minna (Nigeria) also teach in English. Confirm the specific language requirements on each university's website before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the monthly stipend for LASOMA scholarship recipients? PhD scholarship recipients receive a monthly stipend of €330 while MSc scholarship recipients receive €90 per month and both stipends are paid throughout the duration of the programme, in addition to full tuition coverage and insurance.

Q: What is the deadline for the LASOMA scholarship application 2026? The LASOMA Call closes on 22nd June 2026 and The call opened on 8th May 2026. Notification of selected applicants is expected by 13th July 2026, with studies beginning in September 2026.

Q: Do I need a research proposal to apply for LASOMA? Yes. A research proposal is required for all applicants.  For PhD applicants must also submit a 2-minute elevator pitch video presenting themselves and their research interests also MSc applicants do not need the video but must submit the proposal along with all other required documents.

Q: Which universities are part of the LASOMA scholarship programme? Four universities participate: Pentecost University in Ghana, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya, Federal University Lokoja in Nigeria, and Federal University of Technology Minna in Nigeria. Each offers a different range of Masters and PhD programmes in engineering, physics, and related fields.

Q: Where do I apply for the LASOMA scholarship? All applications are submitted through the official LASOMA portal at https://pums.pentvars.edu.gh/lasoma/index. For questions, contact [email protected].

Q: Is the LASOMA scholarship fully funded? Yes. The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend (€330 for PhD, €90 for MSc), insurance, and access to technical research workshops. Recipients do not pay tuition for the duration of their programme.