Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Groundwater Management – Apply Now (Kenya HoAGW4R Programme 2025) Deadline: 22 July, 2025

Master’s Scholarships in Groundwater Management – Apply Now for Kenya’s HoAGW4R Programme

Kenya faces a critical water scarcity issue, with 83% of its land classified as arid or semi-arid. Recurring droughts—occurring every 2.5 years between 1990 and 2015—have affected millions, culminating in the 2021 national drought disaster that left over 2.1 million people food insecure. In the last decade alone, drought-related livestock losses have amounted to US$1.08 billion. High borehole failure rates underline the need for improved groundwater operation and maintenance (O&M), especially in rural water schemes.

To respond to these urgent challenges, the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (MoWSI), is implementing the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Project (HoAGW4R) with support from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA). The overarching goal is to enhance sustainable groundwater management and access in Kenya’s borderland regions.

About the HoAGW4R Project

The Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Regional Program seeks to improve water resilience and reduce fragility by tapping into the potential of groundwater. In Kenya, the project targets five counties:

• Turkana
• Wajir
• Garissa
• Marsabit
• Mandera

Key implementation agencies include:

• • Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (MoWSI)
  • Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training and Research in Eastern Africa (RCGW)
  • Water Resources Authority (WRA)
  • Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF)

Components and Activities of the HoAGW4R Project

1. Subcomponent 1.A: Nature-Based Solutions
   • Formation and training of Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs)
   • Development of Sub-catchment Management Plans
   • Protection and investment in aquifer recharge zones
2. Subcomponent 1.B: Rehabilitation and O&M
   • Inventory and rehabilitation of rural groundwater supply schemes
   • Enhancement of strategic drought-response boreholes
   • Implementation of Information Management Systems (IMS) and Decision Support Systems (DSS)
3. Subcomponent 2.A: Capacity Building and Governance
   • National Groundwater Development Strategy and Policy finalization
   • Development of Transboundary Water Policy and MoUs
   • Specialized environmental and social assessments
   • Comprehensive training at both national and county levels
   • Acquisition of groundwater management tools
4. Subcomponent 2.B: Data and Monitoring
   • Aquifer Assessments and Development Plans
   • Monitoring network development linked to national databases

Call for Master’s Scholarships

As part of the HoAGW4R initiative, the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation is offering fully funded Master’s scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year. The objective is to strengthen local capacity for groundwater management by training professionals with relevant, field-based expertise.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be Kenyan citizens
• Be aged 40 years or below
• Be available for full-time study during the two-year program
• Hold a relevant bachelor’s degree (second class upper or higher)
• Meet the university’s MSc entry requirements
• Not have benefited previously from a government scholarship
• Have a supporting letter from their current employer
• Be employed in a water-related government or NGO institution (preferred)

Priority MSc Programs Sponsored

Programs supported under the HoAGW4R include:

• MSc in Geology (UON)
• MSc in Applied Geophysics (JKUAT)
• MSc in Climate Change and Adaptation (UON)
• MSc in Environmental Governance (UON)
• MSc in Integrated Water Resources Management (KU)
• MSc in Civil Engineering – Water Engineering Option (KU)
• MSc in Geospatial Information Systems (JKUAT)
• MSc in Hydrology and Water Resources (KU)
• MSc in Sanitation and Hygiene (KU)
• MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy (KU)
• MSc in Project Monitoring and Evaluation (KU)

A minimum of two candidates per program will be selected. A total of 20 scholarships are available.

Scholarship Coverage

The scholarship covers:

• Tuition fees
• Research costs
• Administrative expenses

Application Process

Phase 1: University Admission

• Apply to the MSc program at a participating university
• Admission letter must be obtained before scholarship application

Phase 2: Scholarship Application
Submit the following documents to hoa.rcgw@cgk.go.ke with the subject:
“APPLICATION FOR THE HOA MSc SCHOLARSHIP”

• MSc Admission Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Letter (max 1 page)
• Recommendation Letter from employer (must confirm commitment to allow study leave)
• National ID or Passport
• Short research concept (max 1000 words, 1.5 line spacing)

Phase 3: Scholarship Awarding

• • Applications evaluated jointly by the universities and RCGW
  • Final selection based on merit, relevance, and alignment with project goals

Scholarship Application Deadline

• Application deadline for university admission: 22nd July 2025
  (2 weeks from the date of publication of the call)

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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