Opportunities for youth may be somewhat limited, but they do exist. For Rwandan youth seeking to advance their education, professional skills, and creative talents, The New Times has compiled a list of valuable scholarships, grants, and fellowships. Here are six diverse opportunities spanning the creative arts, business, and medicine to consider. Youth to the Front Fund: “The Creatives” Frontliners 2024 The We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) has announced the 2024 Youth To The Front Fund: “The Creatives” Frontliners, an initiative to uplift and support artists and creative collectives dedicated to using their work to drive change and inspire hope. This program seeks to provide both funding and resources to those harnessing the power of creativity to address systemic injustices and shift narratives within their local or global communities. The Youth To The Front Fund provides essential support for exhibitions, innovative projects, and program initiatives that confront systemic inequalities. It also aims to cultivate a network of creative organizers and cultural storytellers through collaborations with key thought leaders in the arts and social justice sectors. Eligibility: Young creatives under the age of 30 from all continents. Fields include visual arts, performance arts, music, writing, literary arts, creative change-making, holistic healing, community spaces, and sports. The application deadline is August 16 at 11:59 PM EST. For more information on how to apply, click here. ECA Fellowship Programme for Young African Professionals This fellowship offers practical, on-the-job experience to young professionals in their early and middle careers. It provides exposure to a multicultural UN environment and contributes to the work of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Eligibility: If you're under 35 and hold a Master’s or Doctorate in fields like economics, development studies, political science, or related disciplines, this fellowship is for you. It's aimed at those committed to advancing Africa’s development in line with the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. Benefits: Selected fellows will receive a return air ticket, a one-time settling-in grant of $3,000 (for those relocating from outside the duty station), and a monthly stipend of $3,000 for the fellowship’s duration. The program lasts for six months but may be extended for an additional six months. For more information or to apply by August 17, click here. Africa Leadership Accelerator The Africa Leadership Accelerator is designed for emerging public health leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa. This program, offered by Global Health Corps, brings a renowned global health leadership curriculum to rising professionals in Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. Over nine months, fellows will participate in virtual workshops, in-person retreats, executive coaching, and professional mentorship while continuing their current roles. This opportunity is ideal for high-potential, early-career public health leaders looking to enhance their personal and professional skills across various sectors, including local health ministries, government agencies, universities, NGOs, and private organizations. Eligibility: Ages 21-35, employed full-time in a non-clinical public health role. Apply by August 14 by clicking here. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape As a partner of the Mastercard Foundation since 2012, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is helping nurture the next generation of transformative leaders. This program supports highly talented, service-oriented young people from Africa facing economic and social barriers to accessing higher education. It offers fully-funded opportunities for both undergraduate and master’s degrees. Benefits: In addition to covering tuition, the program provides specialized resources to help scholars transition into meaningful careers, including insurance, a monthly stipend, housing, and more. Eligibility: Individuals facing barriers to education, with a special focus on young women, refugees, forcibly displaced youth, and those with disabilities. The program offers fully-funded scholarships for students beginning full-time studies in 2025 at the University of the Western Cape in Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa. Apply by Friday, August 30, by clicking here. PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Ghana The West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) offers PhD training and postdoctoral fellowships in fields such as Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases. Benefits: Covers tuition, monthly stipend, research supplies, relocation costs, and participation in groundbreaking research. For more information or to apply by August 15, click here. Master’s Degree Scholarship at International Atomic Energy Agency The IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) aims to inspire and support young women pursuing careers in the nuclear field. The MSCFP offers scholarships for master’s degrees in nuclear-related subjects and provides internship opportunities through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Eligibility: The MSCFP is open to female students from IAEA Member States (including Rwanda) who are accepted or enrolled in an accredited master’s program in a nuclear-related field. Preference is given to candidates with strong academic records (75% or above, or GPA > 3.0 out of 4.0). Benefits: Selected students will receive up to €20,000 for tuition and up to €20,000 (approximately Rwf 28.8 million) for living expenses. The application period is now open. Click here to apply. The deadline is September 30. Maximize these opportunities by either applying yourself or sharing them with potential candidates. Stay updated on the latest opportunities throughout Rwanda by visiting The New Times' Jobs and Tender profile, the largest job market in the country, and follow our social media platforms for daily postings.
