The Nkabom Collaborative at University of Ghana announces funding opportunities for UG PhD students conducting their PhD research in agriculture, food systems, nutrition, and related fields. These scholarships aim to empower vulnerable and underrepresented groups including the youth (<35 years), women, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and persons with disabilities.

Scope of the Scholarship

Food systems encompass all the processes and activities involved in producing, processing, distributing, consuming, and disposing of food. A food systems approach covers everything from the initial stages of agricultural production, inputs to agriculture, to the final stages of food consumption and waste disposal. Therefore, funded PhD programmes under the UG Nkabom Collaborative will focus on a part of or the entire agrifood systems

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients of the PhD scholarship will obtain the following benefits:

• Tuition support
• A monthly bursary
• Financial support for research activities, including fieldwork and laboratory costs.
• Mentorship, leadership training, and career development opportunities.
• Access to the UG Nkabom Collaborative’s professional network, events, workshops, and capacity-building programmes.

Target Group

The NKABOM collaborative aims to offer exceptional higher education learning experiences to underrepresented students. Priority will be given to the following groups:

• Youth
• Females
• Refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs)
• Persons with disabilities

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a Ghanaian
• Be 35 years or younger
• Be enrolled in the third year in a PhD programme in sustainable agrifood systems, nutrition, or related fields at the University of Ghana in the 2025/2026 academic year. Kindly check the FAQ section for the list of eligible academic programs.
• Demonstrate a strong academic record and research interest in nutrition and agrifood systems.
• Belong to one of the target groups listed above.
• Have a proven track record of leadership in academic, professional, or community settings.
• Show commitment to community service, especially in areas related to sustainable agriculture, food systems, nutrition and entrepreneurship.

Application Process

Apply by completing the scholarship application form via. Also, upload a single PDF file containing the following:

1. Curriculum vitae (maximum of 3 pages).
2. A personal statement (1-2 pages and maximum 600 words) highlighting your accomplishments, goals and how the funding will support you to achieve these goals. Additionally, indicate your leadership experience and commitment to community service.
3. A research proposal (up to 1,500 words) detailing your PhD research project and how this relates to the objectives of the UG Nkabom Collaborative.
4. An admission letter from the University of Ghana for the PhD programme.
5. Academic certificates and transcripts for your master's and bachelor's degrees.
6. Documentation verifying eligibility for the UG Nkabom target groups.
7. Three reference letters (two academic and one professional).
8. The single PDF file should be titled “Last name_First name_Nkabom_PhDFundingApp2025”.

Application Deadline:  January 16, 2026.

Additional Information

For additional information about the application, please refer to the FAQ section.

About the Nkabom Collaborative at University of Ghana

The Nkabom Collaborative at the University of Ghana is dedicated to advancing equitable access to higher education and building innovation in nutrition and sustainable agrifood systems. Through three core pillars, Education, Access and Success, and Entrepreneurship, UG Nkabom connects youth with the training, resources, and expertise needed to thrive in agribusiness. We prioritize those typically excluded from the sector, including women, displaced persons and refugees, and persons with disabilities. Among other things, our Education Pillar seeks to:

­ train 25 PhD students over 10 years to take up careers in nutrition and sustainable agrifood systems.

­ award PhD bursaries for early-career people-especially young women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and individuals with disabilities - to complete PhD degree programmes in sustainable food systems, nutrition and related fields.

­ provide opportunities for higher to facilitate success in research, business, and entrepreneurship development for vulnerable and underrepresented groups.