Nine opportunities on our list close between 18 November 2026 and 31 May 2027, and the first one is eight days away. If you are applying to any of them, the order below tells you what to start today and what you can still prepare slowly.
Everything here comes from the listings we have. We only give what each listing states: the name, who offers it, the level and the deadline. Eligibility, amounts and documents can change, so confirm every detail on the official page before you submit. Several listings link to aggregator-style pages; treat the programme's own page or application portal as final if it differs.
The deadlines at a glance
| Deadline | Opportunity | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 2026 | UNDP Young Africa Innovates, Cohort 2 | Training / grant |
| 27 Nov 2026 | University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship (Economics PhD) 2027 | PhD |
| 30 Nov 2026 | NNPC/SNEPCo National University Scholarship | Undergraduate |
| 30 Nov 2026 | Texas State University PhD Studentship, Environmental Hydrology | PhD |
| 15 Jan 2027 | Axel Adler Scholarship 2027, University of Gothenburg | Bachelor's and Master's |
| 28 Feb 2027 | Anthony Udokwu Foundation University Scholarship 2027/28 | Undergraduate |
| 1 Mar 2027 | Western University MESc assistantship (May 2027 intake) | Master's |
| 27 May 2027 | LSE Demography Studentship (MPhil/PhD) | PhD / MPhil |
| 31 May 2027 | Chief of Army Staff Literary Competition 2027 | Primary, secondary, undergraduate |
The opportunities, in deadline order
1. UNDP Young Africa Innovates (YAI), Cohort 2 — 18 November 2026
This is a training and grant programme run by UNDP with the Mastercard Foundation. It is not a degree scholarship, so it suits young people with a project or business idea rather than those seeking a university place. With a deadline this close, read the requirements today. Official page: UNDP YAI listing. Our guide: UNDP Young Africa Innovates Cohort 2.
2. University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Economics PhD 2027 — 27 November 2026
A PhD opportunity at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom, tied to teaching. It is for people with a strong economics background who are ready to apply for doctoral study. Official page: Liverpool Economics PhD. Our guide: Liverpool Economics PhD Teaching Fellowship.
3. NNPC/SNEPCo National University Scholarship — 30 November 2026
An undergraduate scholarship offered by NNPC and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo). It is aimed at Nigerian university students, so check the official page for the exact eligibility. Official page: NNPC/SNEPCo listing. Our guide: NNPC/SNEPCo University Scholarship.
4. Texas State University PhD Studentship in Environmental Hydrology — 30 November 2026
A PhD studentship at Texas State University in the United States, in the Chattopadhyay Hydroecology Lab. It suits applicants with a background in hydrology or a closely related environmental field. Official page: Texas State listing. Our guide: Texas State Hydroecology PhD. Because it is a lab position, a short, specific email to the supervisor helps; see how to email a potential PhD supervisor.
5. Axel Adler Scholarship 2027, University of Gothenburg — 15 January 2027
A tuition fee waiver at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, for fee-paying students at Bachelor's and Master's level. Remember that a fee waiver does not cover living costs. Official page: University of Gothenburg. Our guide: Axel Adler Scholarship 2027. Also read proving living costs for a Swedish residence permit.
6. Anthony Udokwu Foundation University Scholarship 2027/28 — 28 February 2027
An undergraduate scholarship from the Anthony Udokwu Foundation in Nigeria, for the 2027/28 session. Official page: Anthony Udokwu listing. Our guide: Anthony Udokwu Foundation scholarship.
7. Fully funded MESc assistantship, Western University — 1 March 2027
A Master's of Engineering Science assistantship in Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, for the May 2027 intake. It is described as fully funded. Official page: Western University listing. Our guide: Western University MESc Position 2027.
8. LSE Demography Studentship (MPhil/PhD) — 27 May 2027
A studentship for MPhil/PhD study in Demography at the London School of Economics. It has the longest runway of the research-degree options, so use it to build a careful research proposal. Official page: LSE listing. Our guide: LSE Demography Studentship.
9. Chief of Army Staff Literary Competition 2027 — 31 May 2027
A Nigerian Army competition open to primary, secondary and undergraduate entrants. Parents and teachers should read the entry rules together with the student. Official page: Chief of Army Staff listing. Our guide: How to Enter.
Which ones to start first
Four deadlines fall within three weeks. Realistically, most people should pick one or two of them, not all four. A rushed application to each is weaker than a careful one to the best fit.
- Project builders: UNDP YAI, if you have an idea already running or clearly planned.
- Economics graduates: Liverpool, which needs time for documents and a tailored statement.
- Nigerian undergraduates: NNPC/SNEPCo now, and Anthony Udokwu later.
- Environmental science graduates: Texas State, after you write to the lab.
If you miss the November ones, the January to May dates give you time to prepare properly.
A hypothetical week-by-week plan
Say you are a final-year student who wants to apply for NNPC/SNEPCo (30 November) and Anthony Udokwu (28 February). This is an example, not an official schedule.
- Days 1-2: Read both official pages. Write down eligibility, required documents and the submission method.
- Days 3-5: Request your result slip or transcript and any letters. Our guide on certified copies and notarisation helps if a document must be certified.
- Week 2: Draft your statement or essay. Get one honest reader.
- Week 3: Fix name and date mismatches across documents, scan clearly and upload.
- Two days before the deadline: Submit. Portals slow down on the last day, and data or power can fail.
The same documents then serve the February application with small changes.
How to prepare a strong application
Check eligibility before anything else
Nationality, level of study, age, course and prior funding can all disqualify you. Our guide on reading eligibility rules shows how to catch these early.
Tailor, don't recycle
Reviewers can spot a general statement. Name the programme, the lab or the course, and say why you fit it. Use a clear structure like the one in our personal statement plan.
Keep the CV tight
One page is the safe default for scholarships unless the call says otherwise. See how to write a one-page scholarship CV.
Ask referees early
Give them at least two to three weeks, your CV, the deadline and a short note on what to stress.
Use a tracker
Record each deadline, document, referee and submission confirmation in one sheet. Save the confirmation email or screenshot.
Common mistakes
- Trusting a deadline you saw on social media without checking the official page.
- Paying anyone to "secure" a place. Genuine scholarships do not sell awards; read our piece on offers that ask for money for the pattern.
- Mixing up a fee waiver with full funding. Gothenburg's waiver covers tuition only, as listed.
- Applying to a PhD without contacting the supervisor first where that is expected.
- Uploading blurry scans or files with the wrong name.
- Ignoring time zones. A deadline abroad may fall earlier in the day for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to several of these?
Yes, if you meet each one's rules. Just check that they are not tied to one another and that you can finish each application well.
What if the official page and a listing site disagree?
Go with the programme owner's own page or portal, and email them if it is unclear.
Do I need to pay an application fee?
The listings we have do not state fees. Check each official page, and be suspicious of anyone asking you to pay them personally.
Your next step
Open the first link today, confirm the deadline and requirements, and write the documents you need in a list. Then pick the one application you can finish by the nearest realistic date.
Sources
Details checked against the official sources above on 10 November 2026. Things change, so confirm on the official site before you act.
Scholarship details, deadlines and eligibility can change. Always confirm on the official website before applying, and never pay anyone who promises to "guarantee" a scholarship.