University of Eldoret Announces 31 Scholars for the TAGDev 2.0 Scholarships for the 2026/2027 Academic Year

By Evaline Acan

The University of Eldoret, Kenya, has selected 31 candidates for the TAGDev 2.0 scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year, following a multi-stage application, screening, and validation process.

The scholarships are offered under the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) programme, implemented by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The programme seeks to expand access to inclusive and transformative higher education, develop relevant skills, and empower young Africans to contribute to agricultural transformation and sustainable development.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the University of Eldoret received 470 applications, of which 440 met the eligibility requirements. A total of 135 applicants had applied for scholarships and secured admission. Following the screening process, 102 candidates were selected for validation, with 96 successfully completing the validation exercise. Subsequently, 31 candidates were selected for the scholarships.

Of the 31 candidates selected for consideration, 22 are female (71%) and nine are male (29%). The selection also includes nine refugees, representing 29% of the candidates, and three persons with disabilities, accounting for approximately 10%. Beyond these figures, the programme recognises that talent and potential exist across all communities, but opportunities are not always equally accessible. By creating pathways for young people from underserved and marginalised backgrounds, TAGDev 2.0 seeks to ensure that more voices, experiences, and perspectives contribute to Africa’s agricultural transformation and development.

Through TAGDev 2.0, the University of Eldoret is advancing an approach to higher education that places greater emphasis on what graduates can contribute to the economies and communities they serve. By connecting academic training with practical experience, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, the programme seeks to strengthen the capacity of young people to respond to pressing agricultural and food security challenges, create viable enterprises, and improve livelihoods. This approach reflects a growing recognition that Africa’s agricultural transformation depends not only on producing qualified graduates, but also on enabling them to translate knowledge into locally driven solutions, economic opportunities, and lasting community impact.

The University of Eldoret congratulates all candidates who successfully progressed through the selection process and acknowledges the contributions of everyone involved in the application, screening, and validation exercise.

Below is the list of the selected scholars