Application Deadline: Not specified
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 cycle of the DAFI Tertiary Scholarship Programme. This initiative, run by UNHCR, aims to provide eligible refugee and returnee students (in selected countries*) the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree either in their country of asylum or their country of origin. The financial support offered by the scholarship varies depending on the host country and can cover various essential expenses including tuition fees, study materials, food, transportation, and accommodation.
The DAFI scholarship supports educational programs classified under the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) at level 6, which corresponds to bachelor's degrees or comparable qualifications. Its main objective is to equip students with academic and professional knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to obtain a first degree or an equivalent certification.
Additionally, the scholarship may also fund short-cycle tertiary education programs at ISCED level 5. This includes accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses lasting two years or more, which culminate in a certificate or diploma.
Who is Eligible?
- Applicants confirmed for resettlement to third countries are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be recognized refugees or asylum seekers residing in Rwanda.
- Priority is given to candidates demonstrating excellent academic performance.
- Applicants need to have received admission to a university in Rwanda and must provide official proof of this acceptance.
- Only one individual per family can apply or receive the DAFI scholarship to ensure equitable distribution among refugee students.
- Candidates already benefiting from other higher education scholarships are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Strategic Objectives of the DAFI Programme
- Enhance refugee self-reliance by expanding access to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Empower students to contribute valuable knowledge, skills, and leadership, fostering peaceful coexistence with host communities during displacement and after return.
- Fortify the protective value of education by promoting lifelong learning.
- Provide positive role models for refugee children and youth, demonstrating the transformative impact of education on individuals, communities, and society.
The scholarship covers a broad spectrum of expenses, including tuition fees, administrative costs, study materials, meals, transportation, housing, and other necessary expenditures. To further support academic success and skill development, DAFI scholars receive targeted assistance such as close academic monitoring, preparatory and language classes tailored to individual needs, as well as mentoring and opportunities for networking.
Student clubs and alumni groups formed through the DAFI programme are active in numerous countries, playing a vital role in contributing to the communities that host them.
How to Apply
Documents Required for Submission or Upload:
- Equivalence certificate from the Ministry of Education of the country of asylum (optional).
- Official UNHCR proof of registration as a refugee or asylum seeker.
- Certified copy of the applicant’s high school diploma.
For more detailed information and to begin your application process, please Visit the Official Webpage of the DAFI Tertiary Scholarship Programme.
