Korea-Rwanda Government Scholarship: Second Intake 2026 (KOICA)
The Higher Education Council (HEC) has announced the second cohort of the 2026 KOICA Scholarship Program for Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Korea, made possible through the bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Rwanda via the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
This is a fully funded opportunity for Rwandan government employees to pursue postgraduate studies in Korea. Below is everything you need to know, including eligibility, required documents, deadlines, and the full list of available programs.
Quick Facts
- Application deadline: 24 June 2026
- Application portal: HEC MIS
- Info session: 17 June 2026, 2:30–3:30 PM (Zoom – Meeting ID: 860 3492 2873, Passcode: 781154)
- Degree duration: Master’s – 17 months | Doctoral – 36 months
Who Can Apply
- Be a Rwandan citizen.
- Be a government employee with a minimum of 2 years of experience in the field of study, officially nominated by the Government of Rwanda.
- Preferably be under 40 years old as of February 1, 2026.
- Be in good physical and mental health. (Applicants with severe illness are not eligible.)
- Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent (or a Master’s degree for Doctoral programs).
- Have a strong command of English, spoken and written.
- Not have previously withdrawn from a KOICA scholarship program.
Documents Required
| Documents Required by HEC | Documents Required by KOICA |
|---|---|
| Application letter addressed to the Director General of HEC (indicating level and course applied for) | KOICA Application Form (Part 4 – Nomination must be signed and stamped by the applicant’s government institution) |
| Valid Passport | |
| Curriculum Vitae | |
| One (1) recent passport-size photo | |
| Original / notified certificate and transcripts | |
| Recommendation from the employer |
All documents must be submitted online via the HEC MIS portal. Only pre-selected candidates will later be asked to submit original documents to the KOICA Rwanda Office.
Available Programs and Universities
| No. | University | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Handong Global University | Master’s – e-Government and Public Management (1) |
| 2 | Incheon National University | Master’s – Capacity Building for Managing Climate Change and Environment |
| 3 | KDI School | Master’s – Economic Development Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth |
| 4 | Sungkyunkwan University | Master’s – e-Government and Public Management (2) |
| 5 | Yonsei University | Master’s – Health Policy and Financing Capacity Building |
| 6 | Kyungpook National University | Master’s / Doctoral – Capacity Building on High Value-added Agriculture |
| 7 | Pukyong National University | Master’s / Doctoral – Global Fisheries Development |
| 8 | University of Seoul | Master’s / Doctoral – AI Digital Innovation |
| 9 | Yonsei University | Master’s / Doctoral – Control of Infectious Disease |
| 10 | Yonsei University (Mirae Campus) | Master’s – Digital Health / Social Economy |
Note: Applicants may apply to only one program.
Scholarship Benefits
The award covers a wide range of costs, including:
- Round-trip economy airfare
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Settlement allowance and completion grant
- Dormitory accommodation
- National health insurance and private medical insurance
Any additional or unforeseen expenses are the responsibility of the candidate.
Selection Process Overview
- Submission of application documents and government nomination
- On-site interview by KOICA/Korean Embassy
- Document screening by the university
- Local medical check-up and university interview
- Arrival in Korea, orientation, and medical check-up
- Commencement of the degree program
Official Document
For full details, eligibility conditions, and the complete list of designated countries and required forms, download the official public announcement:
📄 Download the Official KOICA-Rwanda Scholarship Announcement (PDF)
Contacts
- HEC Website: www.hec.gov.rw
- HEC Email: info@hec.gov.rw
- HEC Call Centre: 0786823101
- KOICA General Inquiries: koica.sp@koworks.org
Application deadline: 24 June 2026. Interested and eligible candidates are encouraged to apply early through the HEC MIS platform.
