Last updated on January 13, 2026
Kenyan students can apply for verified international scholarships closing in February 2026, including the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program and the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship. These opportunities support postgraduate and undergraduate studies, depending on eligibility and admission status.
Because February deadlines are strict and competitive, early preparation is essential.
Looking for more opportunities? See our Scholarships hub for guides, deadlines and application tips.
Table of Contents
Why February 2026 Scholarship Deadlines Matter
February is a critical month for international scholarship applications. Many global funding programs align their deadlines with university admission cycles, meaning late or incomplete submissions are automatically rejected.
For Kenyan students, February deadlines are especially important because some scholarships require confirmed admission offers, recommendation letters, and verified academic transcripts, all of which take time to prepare.
Scholarships Closing in February 2026 Open to Kenyan Students
The scholarships below are fact-checked and confirmed to be open to Kenyan applicants, subject to eligibility requirements.
Joint Japan / World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
- Application window: 15 January – 27 February 2026
- Study level: Master’s degree
- Who can apply: Citizens of World Bank developing countries, including Kenya
- Where to apply: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/jj-wbgsp
- Fields supported:
- Public Policy
- Global Health
- Development Economics
- Sustainability
- Public Management and International Relations
- Funding coverage:
- Full tuition
- Monthly living allowance
- Round-trip airfare
- Health insurance
Participating universities for the February 2026 window include:
- Brandeis University (Heller School)
- Columbia University (SIPA)
- Johns Hopkins University (Bloomberg School of Public Health)
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Tokyo
- Yale University (School of Management)
- University of Tsukuba
- Williams College
- KIT / Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Important requirement:
Applicants must already have an unconditional admission offer to one of the participating programs before applying for the scholarship.
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program 2026
- Application deadline: 02 February 2026
- Study level: Undergraduate and postgraduate
- Who can apply: Students of any nationality, including Kenyan students
- Where to apply: https://www.acfe.com/scholarship
- Fields supported:
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Criminal Justice
- Fraud Examination and related disciplines
- Award amounts:
- USD 2,000
- USD 5,000
- USD 7,500
- USD 10,000
- Additional benefit: One-year ACFE membership
Eligibility highlights:
- Intention to pursue a career in fraud examination or anti-fraud fields
- Currently enrolled at an accredited university
- Undergraduates must be at least in the second half of sophomore year
- Graduate students must meet minimum enrollment requirements
Scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient’s university or college.
A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarships
Application window: (Open now) — Closes 9 February 2026
Study level: Master’s degree (MEd TESOL)
Who can apply: English language teachers and professionals from countries on the OECD DAC list (including low- and middle-income countries)
Where to apply: Hornby Scholarship application form (via official Hornby/Exeter page)
Focus area supported:
- TESOL / English language teaching
- English language education development
- Teacher training and capacity building
Funding coverage:
- Full University tuition fees
- Monthly stipend for accommodation and living costs
- Defined additional grants
- UK Visa and NHS fees
- Return international airfare
Number of awards available:
Up to 10 fully funded scholarships (September 2026 entry)
Eligibility requirements include:
- Resident and working in an OECD DAC country
- Minimum 3 years full-time TESOL or related experience after first degree
- Bachelor’s degree equivalent to UK Upper Second Class (2:1) or higher
- Not already holding a doctoral degree in TESOL / Applied Linguistics / English
- Not already holding a UK Master’s in TESOL / Applied Linguistics / English
Application process (important):
- Apply first through the Hornby Scholarship application form
- Shortlisted candidates are invited to apply for the MEd TESOL at Exeter
- Scholarship is awarded only after admission is confirmed by the University of Exeter
Timeline:
- Closing date: 9 February 2026
- Shortlist notification: by 6 March 2026
- Interviews: 16–25 March 2026
- Final outcome: by 2 April 2026
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
Application window: 9 February – 25 February 2026
Study level: Master’s degree
Who can apply: Citizens of 34 eligible SI countries (including Kenya)
Where to apply: Swedish Institute scholarship application portal
Fields supported:
English-taught, eligible master’s programmes across multiple disciplines
(list of eligible programmes published mid-November 2025)
Funding coverage:
- Full tuition fees (paid directly to the university)
- Monthly allowance of SEK 12,000
- Travel grant of SEK 15,000
(SEK 10,000 for some specified countries) - Membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals
- Membership in the Sweden Alumni Network after studies
Key eligibility requirements:
- Apply for eligible Swedish master’s programmes (16 Oct 2025 – 15 Jan 2026)
- Be liable to pay tuition fees and pay application fee on time
- Be admitted (or conditionally admitted) to an eligible programme
- Have documented work experience
- Have documented leadership experience
- For Kenya: minimum 3,000 hours of work experience before Feb 2026
Important exclusions:
The scholarship does not cover:
- insurance
- family support
- University Admissions application fee
- programme changes
- extensions to study or scholarship period
Key dates:
- 16 Oct 2025 – 15 Jan 2026: Apply for Swedish master’s programmes
- Mid-Nov 2025: Eligible SI programmes published
- 9 – 25 Feb 2026: SI scholarship application window
- 26 Mar 2026: University admissions announcement
- 23 Apr 2026: Scholarship announcement
Eligibility Requirements to Check Before Applying
Before applying for any scholarships closing in February 2026, Kenyan students should confirm:
- Nationality eligibility
- Required academic qualifications
- Admission or enrollment status
- Field of study restrictions
- Document submission rules
Failure to meet even one requirement usually leads to automatic rejection.
Documents Needed for February 2026 Scholarship Applications
Most applications require the following documents:
- Valid passport or national ID
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- University admission offer or enrollment proof
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation or personal statement
- Recommendation letters
Documents should be prepared early to avoid last-minute issues.
How to Apply for Scholarships Closing in February 2026
To improve success rates, Kenyan students should:
- Confirm eligibility carefully
- Secure university admission early where required
- Prepare documents well in advance
- Submit applications several days before deadlines
- Save confirmation emails or reference numbers
Late submissions are rarely accepted.
Common Reasons Scholarship Applications Get Rejected
Many strong applicants are rejected due to:
- Missing or incorrect documents
- Applying without meeting eligibility criteria
- Weak motivation letters
- Ignoring application instructions
- Submitting applications after deadlines
Careful review before submission can significantly improve outcomes.
FAQs
What are the benefits of the Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship?
The Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship offers full tuition, a monthly living allowance, health insurance, and return airfare. It supports master’s degrees in development-related fields such as economics, health, and public policy. The scholarship is fully funded and highly competitive.
What is the Ritchie Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program?
The Ritchie Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program supports students studying accounting, business, finance, or fraud-related fields. It is awarded based on academic performance and interest in ethical professional practice. The scholarship is offered by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
What GPA is needed for a master’s scholarship?
Most master’s scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. Competitive scholarships may expect a higher GPA. Some programs also consider work experience and leadership, not just grades.
How do you get chosen for a scholarship?
Students are selected based on academic performance, eligibility, and application quality. Strong personal statements, recommendation letters, and meeting all deadlines improve selection chances. Incomplete applications are often rejected.
Transparency Note
This article lists only scholarships closing in February 2026 that are genuinely open to Kenyan students based on official eligibility information available at the time of writing. Programs restricted by nationality or explicitly excluding Kenya have not been included.
You can also check out other scholarships that are closing in January 2026.
Last updated: December 2025
Varsha Asrani is a lecturer and education writer with experience as Visiting Faculty at AUPP and ATMC College, and as a Lecturer with TalentEdge and UpGrad. She is the Founder of the Asrani Institute of Education and Counselling. Varsha specializes in scholarships, e-learning, and career guidance for African students and professionals, and regularly visits Africa to gather first-hand insights that shape her research and articles.
