Closing This Week: UNICORE 2026 Master’s Scholarship Deadline Approaching for Refugee Students
For displaced university graduates in Kenya looking to advance their education on the global stage, the clock is ticking. The application window for the 2026 University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE) program officially closes this week, on Friday, April 17, 2026.
The UNICORE initiative, detailed on the official UNHCR Kenya portal, offers refugee students residing in Kenya the opportunity to pursue a fully-funded Master’s degree at a network of participating universities across Italy.
What the Scholarship Offers
Higher education remains one of the hardest sectors for displaced youth to access. Programs like UNICORE bypass traditional barriers by creating direct, legal academic corridors to Europe. According to the UNHCR brief, the scholarship provides comprehensive support, including:
- Full tuition fee waivers at participating Italian universities.
- Financial support for living expenses in Italy.
- Additional study grants upon arrival.
Eligibility and Application Details
With the deadline just days away, eligible candidates must finalize their documentation immediately. As outlined in the UNHCR call for applications, applicants must:
- Hold recognized refugee status.
- Possess a university degree earned in or after 2021 (and no later than April 17, 2026).
- Maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 (or equivalent).
All applications must be submitted online directly to the participating Italian universities. For full details on the required documents and direct application links, students should immediately visit the official UNICORE portal.