The Airtel Africa Foundation University Tech Fellowship Application Form, Academic Year 2026/2027

Financial barriers keep too many talented Ugandan students out of tech-focused university degrees — even when the ambition and ability are clearly there. The Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship is designed to change that, offering fully funded scholarships to Ugandan undergraduate students pursuing degrees in high-demand technology fields.

If you’re a Ugandan student heading into your first year of university in the 2026/2027 academic year, or you know someone who is, this fellowship is worth a close look — and applications are open for a limited window.

What the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship Covers

The fellowship is a flagship initiative from the Airtel Africa Foundation, backed by UGX 3.85 billion (roughly $1 million) in funding. For each cohort, it fully funds 20 first-year undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds, covering:

• Full tuition for the duration of the degree program
• Accommodation
• Academic materials and a laptop
• A fixed stipend to support core course expenses
• Ongoing mentorship throughout the students’ university studies

This is a four-year commitment per student, not a one-off award — meaning selected fellows are supported from first year through graduation.

Who Is Eligible

To qualify for the 2026/2027 cohort, applicants must:

• Be Ugandan nationals
• Be admitted as first-year students for the 2026/2027 academic year at one of the participating universities
• Be new entrants admitted to first year for the first time — students repeating first year or transferring from another program are not eligible
• Be pursuing an undergraduate degree in a technology-focused field, including:
  • Information Technology
  • Computer Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Science
  • Artificial Intelligence
• Come from a low-income household, with demonstrated financial need

Participating Universities

The fellowship is available to students admitted at the following institutions:

• Makerere University
• ISBAT University
• Uganda Christian University
• Mbarara University of Science and Technology
• Kyambogo University

Why This Matters for Uganda’s Tech Talent Pipeline

The first cohort of 20 fellows launched in February 2026 after a competitive process that drew over 300 applications. Fellows from that cohort are already pursuing degrees across fields like telecommunications engineering, computer science, and software engineering — with several naming ambitions in AI, cybersecurity, healthcare technology, and digital inclusion as their long-term goals.

Programs like this directly address one of the biggest barriers facing Uganda’s growing digital economy: talented students who have the ability to succeed in STEM fields but lack the financial means to complete a degree. By removing tuition, housing, and equipment costs entirely, the fellowship allows students to focus fully on their studies rather than how to fund them.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the official fellowship portal, managed in partnership with Q-Sourcing Servtec. Given the short application window and the volume of applicants in the previous cohort (300+ applications for 20 spots), candidates should prepare required documents — admission letters, academic records, proof of financial need, and a personal statement — well ahead of the deadline.

Keep Building Your Tech Foundation

Whether or not you’re eligible for this particular fellowship, building practical, demonstrable technical skills strengthens any application and any future career in tech. Cosarn Technologies publishes free Udemy courses covering hands-on skills like React and Docker — a useful way to start building a portfolio while you pursue opportunities like this one.