TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) – Local Component (fortgefuehrt und verstaerkt)

What you get from the TETFund TSAS Local Component

You get a yearly living-cost grant to do a full-time Master's or PhD at a Nigerian university. Your tuition is handled separately. The amount depends on your subject. For science and technology fields it is about EUR 900 per year (NGN 1,500,000). For other subjects it is about EUR 720 per year (NGN 1,200,000). A Master's is funded for up to 2 years and a PhD for up to 3 years. The money comes from TETFund, a Nigerian government body that funds public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

Who can apply

• Your job: You are a full-time, confirmed academic staff member (a permanent lecturer) at a public university, polytechnic or college of education that TETFund supports.
• Admission: You already have a place on a full-time Master's or PhD programme at a Nigerian university accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
• Full-time on campus: Your programme must be full-time on campus. Distance, online or part-time degrees are not funded.
• Not a repeat degree: You are not going for a second Master's or a second PhD.
• A different university: You study somewhere other than the university that employs you.
• Bond: Your institution must bond you, meaning you sign a written commitment to return and work for it after your studies. If you took a TETFund Master's grant before, you must have finished that bond period before applying for a PhD grant.
• No double funding: You hold no other scholarship at the same time.
• Fitness: You provide a medical fitness certificate from a public hospital.
• Field of study: Open to a wide range of subjects, from agriculture, engineering and the sciences to law, medicine, education and the social sciences.

How to apply

You cannot apply directly. Your institution nominates you through its internal selection committee. It then submits nominations to TETFund in batches, at least three months before your registration deadline. Your first point of contact is the TETFund Desk Officer at your own institution. Do not start your studies before TETFund has approved the sponsorship. Note: since 2025 the scheme funds study inside Nigeria only, and the older overseas option has been suspended.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is cut narrowly. Only confirmed academic staff at TETFund's listed institutions who already hold a place on a full-time Nigerian postgraduate programme can be nominated. That keeps the eligible group small, and the scheme funds thousands of scholars across the country. If you clearly meet the conditions and your institution nominates you, your prospects are solid. The real hurdle is getting nominated internally, so build a strong case with your TETFund Desk Officer early.