Association of African Universities Graduate Internship Grants 2017

The Association of African Universities (AAU) has intensified its support for students from its member institutions to acquire employable skills before graduating from their universities. Through support from its development partners, namely African Capacity Development Foundation (ACBF) and Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), the AAU has secured funds for its member universities in good standing (whose annual subscription payment to AAU is up to date) to offer small grants of up to US$600 per student for graduate internships.


Conditions for the Award of the Grant


  • Grant applicants should be students pursuing post-graduate degree programmes. Applicants should note that the grants are for training purposes only and not meant for the completion of theses or dissertations.
  • Applicants shall commit to undertake an internship programme for a period between twelve (12) and twenty-four (24 weeks).
  • A detailed but confidential supervisory report would be required from the host institution on the progression of the applicant during the period of internship, and from the university of the applicant on academic progress after the period of internship.
  • Past beneficiaries of the AAU Internship Scheme are not eligible to apply.
  • Consideration would be given to applicants who have no practical work experience.
  • Applications should be supported with an authorisation note from the Head of Department of the applicant’s university as well as an official acceptance letter from the establishment wishing to host the intern.
  • All applicants should submit a detailed curriculum vitae.

Selection Criteria

  1. Selection of successful applications would be based on a quota system revolving around gender (at least 40% of beneficiaries should be females); country (not more than 10 applicants per country) and language (at least 30% from Francophone institutions).