In 2026, Luxembourg continues to position itself as a premium destination for international researchers and master’s students. The country is small, but it gives a lot of money to “high-potential” international talent. For students from Africa, the main focus is merit-based master’s scholarships and specialised research grants for PhD students.
1. The International Master’s Scholarship from Guillaume Dupaix
The Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Ministry of Research and Higher Education fund this main scholarship programme. It is meant to draw in top-performing international students to the University of Luxembourg.
Benefits and Coverage The scholarship gives you €10,000 a year for up to two years.
- Accommodation Support: A part of the scholarship money is often set aside to pay for student housing (up to €650 per month), which is guaranteed for people who get the scholarship.
- Stipend Installments: The rest of the money is paid in installments at the start of each semester to help with living expenses.
- Exclusions: The scholarship generally does not cover the university’s tuition fees, though these are relatively low (typically €200–€400 per semester).
The Application Cycle for 2026
- Deadline for admission: You must first apply for a master’s programme at the University of Luxembourg through the online portal. The first deadline for applications for the 2026 intake was March 24, 2026.
- Deadline for the scholarship: Students who meet the academic requirements are invited to apply for the scholarship. March 31, 2026, was the last day to turn in missing papers and scholarship forms.
- Next Cycle: Applications for the 2027/2028 school year should be available in February 2027.
2. Scholarships from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MFEA)
The MFEA gives special funding to students from certain partner regions, usually for projects that help with development.
Master of European Legal Studies (EIPA) One well-known scholarship that comes up often is for the Master of European Legal Studies programme at the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) in Luxembourg.
- Eligibility: Usually aimed at certain partner countries in the Western Balkans, and sometimes students from African partner countries who are working together on diplomatic or legal issues.
- Value: Full funding, which includes tuition, travel, housing, and food costs.
- Deadline for 2026: The deadline for the 2026–2028 cycle is June 15, 2026.
3. FNR PhD Grants (AFR)
The Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) gives out the AFR (Aides à la Formation-Recherche) PhD grants to African students who want to do doctoral research.
The Research Model: Rather than a traditional “stipend”, these grants usually fund a work contract.
- Getting a job: The University of Luxembourg or a public research institute (like LIST or LIH) hires PhD students.
- Funding: The grant will pay the PhD candidate’s salary for up to four years, including health insurance and social security.
- 2026 Application: The host institution in Luxembourg must send in the applications. Deadlines differ based on the research call, but they usually happen in the spring and autumn.
4. Erasmus+ and the International Credit Mobility Programme
The Erasmus+ “International Credit Mobility” (ICM) programme lets students from partner universities in Africa spend a semester or a year in Luxembourg. The University of Luxembourg is a part of this programme.
Benefits of Grants
- Monthly Allowance: About €850 a month.
- Travel Grant: A set amount of money based on how far away your home country is from Luxembourg.
- Process: Your home university in Africa and the University of Luxembourg must sign a formal agreement for this to happen. You should ask your local International Relations Office if there is such an agreement.
5. Papers Needed for 2026
Luxembourgish institutions place a premium on academic excellence and administrative accuracy. You will need:
- Academic Transcripts: The Guillaume Dupaix scholarship requires a high GPA, usually in the top 10–20% of your class.
- Personal Statement: A well-written essay that explains your academic goals and why Luxembourg is the best place for you.
- Two letters of recommendation from professors who can vouch for your research potential are required.
- Language Proficiency: You need to show that you know English (IELTS/TOEFL) or French/German (DELF/TestDaF), depending on the language of instruction for your programme.
6. Advice for applicants in 2026
The “Invitation-Only” Plan You can’t apply for the money first for the University of Luxembourg’s main scholarships. Your main goal is to send in a great application for admission early. The university’s internal committee chooses the best applicants from the pool of applicants and asks them to apply for the scholarship.
Make the most of the low tuition. The University of Luxembourg is one of the cheapest in Europe, with tuition costs often between €400 and €800 per year, even without a scholarship. The degree itself is very easy to get if you can get money for housing, which is the most expensive part of living in Luxembourg.
Focus on “Talent Shortage” Areas. In 2026, Luxembourg is actively searching for people from other countries to work in cybersecurity, data science, sustainable finance, and space resources. People who apply for jobs in these niche fields often get more money from their departments and have a better chance of getting scholarships.
Final Thoughts
In 2026, Luxembourg will have a very competitive but rewarding scholarship environment for African students. The Guillaume Dupaix scholarship is still the best way for Master’s students to get ahead, but PhD candidates can find stability through FNR research contracts. Getting into university early, before the March deadline, and having a strong academic record that fits with Luxembourg’s focus on high-tech and financial innovation are both important for success.
Are you applying for a PhD programme that focuses on research, or are you aiming for a master’s degree in a subject like computer science or finance?