The LaSoMa PhD Masters Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for international students looking to pursue advanced degrees without heavy financial burdens. This fully funded program eliminates barriers to higher education by requiring no application fee and making IELTS test scores entirely optional. Designed to attract top global talent, the LaSoMa PhD and Master’s Scholarship allows ambitious researchers and scholars to focus completely on their academic growth while enjoying full financial backing.
Program Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | LaSoMa PhD and Master’s Scholarship |
| Degree Levels | Master’s / PhD |
| Application Fee | Free ($0) |
| Financial Coverage | Fully Funded |
| IELTS Requirement | Not Mandatory (English Proficiency Certificate accepted) |
| Target Audience | International Students |
Scholarship Benefits
The Laser Enabled Manufacturing of Solar Systems (LaSoMa) LaSoMa PhD Masters Scholarship, co-funded by the African Union and the European Union, provides an exceptional financial package to fully support your postgraduate studies:
- Full Tuition Fee Waiver: 100% of your academic and registration fees are completely covered across the entire duration of the programme.
- Generous Monthly Stipends:
- PhD Candidates receive a monthly allowance of €1,230.
- Master’s Candidates receive a monthly allowance of €890.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Fully paid medical and travel insurance coverage during your study period.
- Research & Development Support: Fully funded access to advanced technical research workshops and global networking conferences.
- Advanced Facilities: Direct operational access to top-tier laboratory setups and advanced laser manufacturing infrastructure.
Eligible Study Fields
The LaSoMa Scholarship Programme focuses on highly specialized engineering and material science fields. The primary eligible academic domains include:
- Advanced Manufacturing (Laser-enabled manufacturing, industrial automation, precision engineering)
- Renewable Energy Engineering (Solar energy systems, photovoltaic technologies, clean energy engineering)
- Materials Science (Photonic materials, advanced metallurgy, surface engineering)
- Applied Physics & Optics (Laser physics, optics engineering, photonics)
- Engineering Fields: PhD and M.Eng options in Mechanical, Industrial/Production, Materials & Metallurgical Engineering.
- Intelligence & Robotics: PhD and M.Sc programs focusing on Manufacturing Intelligence, Robotics & Automation, and Embedded Systems.
- Mechatronics: PhD and M.Sc degrees in Mechatronic Engineering.
- Physics & Materials Science: PhD and M.Sc programs in Engineering Physics and Solid State Physics.
- Electrical/Electronics: PhD in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
Eligible Countries
To qualify for the LaSoMa Scholarship Programme, candidates must hold citizenship in an African Union member state. Per the strict intra-African academic mobility rules, you must complete your graduate studies at a partner institution located outside your home country.
The comprehensive list of all eligible African nations includes:
- Northern Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
- Western Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.
- Eastern Africa: Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda.
- Central Africa: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe.
- Southern Africa: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Participating Universities & Degree Allocations
The LaSoMa Scholarship Program operates through a structured network of elite African institutions. Each university is allocated specific Master’s and PhD tracks, and you must apply to an institution outside of your home country:
- Federal University of Technology, Minna (Nigeria 🇳🇬)
- Master’s Tracks: M.Eng in Mechanical Engineering, M.Eng in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, M.Sc in Solid State Physics, M.Tech in Manufacturing Intelligence.
- PhD Tracks: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, PhD in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, PhD in Solid State Physics, PhD in Manufacturing Intelligence.
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya 🇰🇪)
- Master’s Tracks: M.Sc in Mechatronic Engineering, M.Sc in Mechanical Engineering, M.Sc in Embedded Systems, M.Sc in Physics (Renewable Energy/Materials Science).
- PhD Tracks: PhD in Mechatronic Engineering, PhD in Mechanical Engineering, PhD in Physics (Renewable Energy/Materials Science).
- Pentecost University (Ghana 🇬🇭)
- Master’s Tracks: M.Sc in Robotics and Automation, M.Sc in Industrial Engineering and Production Management.
- PhD Tracks: PhD in Robotics and Automation, PhD in Industrial Engineering and Production Management.
- Federal University, Lokoja (Nigeria 🇳🇬)
- Master’s Tracks: M.Sc in Engineering Physics.
- PhD Tracks: PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Required Documents Checklist
To apply for the LaSoMa PhD and Master’s Scholarship, you must prepare clear, high-resolution digital scans of the following paperwork:
- International Passport: A valid bio-data page verifying your identity and eligible citizenship.
- Academic Transcripts: Complete official university transcripts detailing all completed course modules and marks.
- Degree Certificates: Certified copies of your Bachelor’s degree certificate (for Master’s applicants) or Master’s degree certificate (for PhD applicants).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): An updated academic resume highlighting your practical engineering skills, lab expertise, or publications.
- English Proficiency Certificate: A signed declaration letter from your previous university confirming your prior degree was fully taught in English (replaces mandatory IELTS).
- Letters of Recommendation: Two formal letters of endorsement from university professors or academic supervisors familiar with your technical capabilities.
- Concept Note / Research Proposal: A detailed research synopsis matching the specialized laser manufacturing, robotics, or renewable energy themes of the program.
Eligibility Criteria
To successfully qualify for the LaSoMa PhD and Master’s Scholarship, you must fulfill the following mandatory criteria:
- Target Nationality: You must hold a valid citizenship from an African Union member state.
- Academic Background: Applicants must possess a relevant Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s admission) or a Master’s degree (for PhD tracks) in engineering, physics, or closely related science disciplines.
- Target Audience Focus: The program explicitly targets academic staff, researchers, and outstanding students looking to advance their technical skills.
- Academic Mobility Rule: You must apply to and complete your graduate studies at a partner university located outside your home country.
- Prior Funding Restriction: Candidates who have previously benefited from an Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme scholarship are not eligible to apply.
- Language Proficiency: You must be fluent in the instruction language, which is satisfied by providing an English Proficiency Certificate from your previous university.
How to Apply Step-by-Step Guide
Follow this walkthrough to submit your application for the LaSoMa PhD and Master’s Scholarship before the official June 22, 2026 deadline:
- Step 1: Institutional Pre-Check
Review the course options and contact your preferred host university directly from the allowed LaSoMa University Directory to confirm available slots and receive proposal alignment guidance. - Step 2: Access the Application Form
Navigate directly to the official LaSoMa Application Portal to register your applicant profile. - Step 3: Upload Academic Credentials
Attach high-resolution PDF scans of your passport bio-data page, degree certificates, and detailed university transcripts. - Step 4: Provide Academic Alternatives for IELTS
Instead of submitting test results, upload your official English Proficiency Certificate issued directly by your previous university registrar. - Step 5: Submit Supporting Documents
Add your comprehensive academic CV, a 500-word motivation letter, and your custom technical research proposal matching the program’s laser or renewable energy themes. - Step 6: Submit the Video Component
Generate a secure link for your maximum two-minute elevator pitch video presentation and paste it into the designated submission field. - Step 7: Finalize Referee Letters & Submit
Input your academic referees’ operational email addresses so they can upload their recommendation letters directly before submitting your finalized dossier.
Official Website
The exact direct links required for the application process are:
- VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
- Application Link: LaSoMa Online Application Registration Form
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are the most common questions your readers will ask about the LaSoMa Scholarship Programme:
- Q1: Can I apply if I want to study at a university in my home country?
- A: No. Under strict intra-African mobility rules, you must choose a host university outside your country of citizenship.
- Q2: Is the IELTS test completely waived for all applicants?
- A: Yes. You do not need IELTS if you provide an English Proficiency Certificate proving your previous degree was taught in English.
- Q3: Are there any age limits for Master’s or PhD applicants?
- A: No. There is no official age restriction, but the program targets students, researchers, and university academic staff.
- Q4: Can I apply for a major that is not listed in the engineering or physics categories?
- A: No. This specific scholarship only funds the specialized tracks listed in laser manufacturing, robotics, mechatronics, physics, and solar engineering.
- Q5: Does the scholarship cover my travel costs to the host country?
- A: Yes. The fully funded package includes one round-trip economy class air ticket and comprehensive travel insurance.
Disclaimer
- Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Scholarship GOAT is not an official partner, representative, or agent of the African Union, the European Union, or any of the participating partner universities of the LaSoMa project. While we strive to keep all details accurate and up to date, program guidelines, deadlines, and eligibility criteria can change at any time without notice. Applicants are strongly advised to verify all details and submit their final applications directly through the official LaSoMa Application Portal.
