Gabriel Ezenri Foundation Scholarship 2026: Up to ₦500,000 for Nigerian Undergraduates

The Gabriel Ezenri Foundation (GEF) Scholarship 2026 is inviting outstanding Nigerian undergraduate students with strong academic performance and genuine financial need to apply for financial support toward their education.

Successful scholarship recipients may receive up to ₦500,000 per academic session to help cover tuition, registration fees, learning materials and other educational expenses.

The foundation also provides research grants and graduate application support through separate funding tracks. Applicants must select only one track during each application cycle.

About the Gabriel Ezenri Foundation

The Gabriel Ezenri Foundation is a Nigerian nonprofit organisation focused on expanding access to quality education and strengthening research.

The foundation supports students and researchers throughout different stages of their academic journeys by providing:

• Undergraduate scholarships
• Early-career research grants
• Graduate application support
• Academic mentorship
• Research recognition and awards

Its broader goal is to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent talented Nigerian students and researchers from reaching their academic potential.

Available Funding Programmes

The foundation offers three main funding tracks through one application process.

1. Scholarships

The scholarship programme provides up to ₦500,000 for undergraduate students.

It is intended for outstanding undergraduates at accredited Nigerian institutions who demonstrate strong academic performance and genuine financial need.

2. Research Grants

The Research Grants programme provides between ₦150,000 and ₦1,000,000 for early-career researchers.

The grants may support practical research expenses such as:

• Fieldwork and data collection
• Laboratory consumables
• Small research equipment
• Software and dataset access
• Research assistant stipends
• Ethics approval fees
• Transcription and analysis services

Research grants cannot be used for personal tuition or salaries. Grants typically run for 6–18 months, and successful grantees are expected to submit a brief mid-point update and a final report.

3. Academia Support

The Academia Support programme provides graduate application support and mentorship.

Support may cover:

• Standardised test fees
• Graduate application fees
• Credential evaluation costs
• Guidance throughout the graduate application process
• Mentorship from an academic or professional in the applicant’s field

Applicants must choose the funding track that best matches their situation. Only one track may be selected per application cycle.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful undergraduate scholars may receive:

• Up to ₦500,000 per academic session
• Support for tuition and registration fees
• Funding for learning materials
• A modest living stipend
• Access to the foundation’s wider scholars’ community

The scholarship is renewable annually, subject to satisfactory academic progress.

To qualify for renewal, scholars must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale.

Number of Scholarships

The foundation plans to award 10 undergraduate scholarships per year, with each award valued at up to ₦500,000.

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is intended for undergraduate students who meet the foundation’s academic and financial-need requirements.

Applicants must generally be:

• Nigerian citizens or residents
• Enrolled in or admitted to an accredited tertiary institution in Nigeria
• Able to demonstrate genuine financial need
• Able to provide the required supporting documents

The scholarship is available to students studying at accredited Nigerian universities or polytechnics.

Academic Eligibility Requirements

Current Undergraduate Students

Current undergraduates must have a minimum:

• CGPA of 3.5 on a 5.0 scale

New Entrants

New entrants may qualify through either of the following:

• A minimum UTME score of 250, or
• Five O’level credits, including English Language and Mathematics

Applicants should ensure that they meet the requirement applicable to their admission status.

Financial-Need Requirement

The scholarship is intended for students who demonstrate genuine financial need.

Applicants should be prepared to explain their financial circumstances and how the scholarship would help them continue their education.

The foundation’s broader mission prioritises talented students whose academic progress may be affected by financial limitations. Applicants should provide truthful and clear information about their circumstances.

Application Document Checklist

Applicants should prepare the following documents and information before starting the application.

Required Documents

• Academic transcripts or academic records
• Admission letter or evidence of admission
• Proof of current enrolment, where applicable
• Personal statement of 500–800 words
• One reference or recommendation
• Evidence of financial need, where requested
• Any other supporting documents required by the application form

Personal Statement

The personal statement should explain:

• Your academic background
• Your educational goals
• Why you need financial support
• How the scholarship would help you continue your studies
• Your future plans and aspirations

Applicants should ensure that the statement is clear, honest and relevant to their academic and financial circumstances.

Additional Documents for Other Tracks

Applicants selecting Research Grants should also prepare:

• A research project proposal
• A realistic research budget
• A clear research question
• An explanation of the expected academic or real-world impact

The research proposal and budget should not exceed three pages.

Applicants selecting Academia Support should prepare the information and documents requested for graduate application support, including details of the intended programme or academic pathway where applicable.

Application Process

The foundation’s application process consists of five main steps.

Step 1: Choose Your Funding Track

Review the three available options:

• Scholarships
• Research Grants
• Academia Support

Select the track that best fits your situation. You may apply to only one track per cycle.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Gather your academic records, admission or enrolment evidence, personal statement, reference and any other documents required for your selected programme.

Research Grant applicants must also prepare a project proposal and budget.

Step 3: Submit the Online Application

Complete the secure online application form and upload the required documents.

Applicants should ensure that all information is accurate and that documents are readable before submitting.

Step 4: Shortlisting and Interviews

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual interview with the foundation’s review panel.

The interview may be used to better understand the applicant’s academic background, goals, financial circumstances or proposed research.

Step 5: Receive the Decision

All applicants will be notified by email by November 30, 2026.

Award recipients will also be announced publicly on the foundation’s website.

Selection Process

The foundation reviews applications using a holistic selection process.

For scholarship applicants, the review may consider:

• Academic performance
• Demonstrated financial need
• Eligibility and completeness of documents
• Educational goals
• Personal circumstances
• Potential to benefit from the award

For research applicants, the foundation also considers:

• Clarity of the research question
• Feasibility of the proposed work
• Realistic budget
• Potential scholarly or real-world impact
• Evidence that the applicant can complete the research within the proposed timeline

The foundation’s stated values include merit, access, integrity, community and impact.

Application Timeline

Activity	Date
Application opens	September 1, 2026
Application deadline	October 15, 2026
Application review	After the deadline
Shortlisting and interviews	After initial review
Applicants notified	By November 30, 2026

Future application windows will be announced at least three months in advance.

Scholars Network and Mentorship

The foundation’s support extends beyond financial awards.

Every scholar, grantee and award recipient joins a wider community that may provide:

• Peer connections
• Mentorship
• Alumni events
• Academic and professional networking
• Early access to new opportunities

The foundation describes its scholars’ network as a lifelong community for recipients.

Important Things to Note

• The scholarship is for outstanding undergraduate students.
• Applicants must be Nigerian citizens or residents and must be enrolled in, admitted to or affiliated with an accredited tertiary institution in Nigeria.
• Current undergraduates need a minimum CGPA of 3.5/5.0.
• New entrants may qualify with a UTME score of 250 or above, or five O’level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
• Applicants must demonstrate genuine financial need.
• The scholarship is worth up to ₦500,000 per academic session.
• The award may cover tuition, registration fees, learning materials and a modest living stipend.
• Scholarship awards may be renewed annually, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
• Scholars must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.5/5.0 for renewal.
• The foundation plans to award 10 undergraduate scholarships annually.
• Applicants must select exactly one track: Scholarships, Research Grants or Academia Support.
• Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual interview.
• All applicants will be notified by email by November 30, 2026.
• Applications are free.
• The foundation does not charge fees at any stage.
• No person acting on behalf of the foundation should request money in exchange for an award.
• Fraudulent payment requests should be reported to hello@gabrielezenrifoundation.org.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Gabriel Ezenri Foundation Scholarship 2026 is:

October 15, 2026

Applications open on September 1, 2026, and decisions are expected by November 30, 2026.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

1. Visit the official application page.
2. Review the eligibility requirements for the selected funding track.
3. Choose Scholarships if applying for undergraduate funding.
4. Prepare the required documents.
5. Complete the online application form.
6. Submit the application before October 15, 2026.

Application Enquiries

Email: apply@gabrielezenrifoundation.org

Fraud Reporting

Email: hello@gabrielezenrifoundation.org

Conclusion

The Gabriel Ezenri Foundation Scholarship 2026 offers eligible Nigerian undergraduates an opportunity to receive up to ₦500,000 per academic session to support their education.

Students who meet the academic and financial-need requirements should prepare their documents and submit their applications before the October 15, 2026 deadline.

Scholarship value: Up to ₦500,000 per academic session
Eligible applicants: Nigerian undergraduate students
Number of awards: 10 annually
Application deadline: October 15, 2026
Decision date: By November 30, 2026