✨ Should I Apply for São Tomé and Príncipe Government Scholarship (DESB)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Varies by destination country and bilateral agreement
⏱
Duration
Full duration of the degree program (3 to 6 years)
🗓
Deadline
Varies (typically June to August annually)
⚙️
Fields
All fields, with priority in Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Law, and Education
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 200-500 annually across all partner countries
🌏
Study Country
São Tomé and Príncipe
🏛️
Provider
Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Communication (MECSC)
📊
Acceptance
Varies based on the specific partner country quota
The São Tomé and Príncipe Government Scholarship program, managed by the Direção do Ensino Superior e Bolsas (DESB), facilitates the pursuit of higher education for local citizens in foreign countries through bilateral diplomatic agreements. The program aims to build national human capital in critical sectors.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to São Toméan nationals with high academic standing and valid identification documents seeking to study abroad.
🏛️ Host University
Multiple universities in partner countries (Portugal, Brazil, China, Morocco, Russia, Cuba)
🤝 Sponsor
Government of São Tomé and Príncipe and Partner Nations
⚙️ Fields of Study
All fields, with priority in Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Law, and Education
✨ Key Benefits
Covers full tuition, monthly living allowance, student housing, health insurance, and airfare through international cooperation agreements.
🎯 Target Students
São Toméan students and civil servants
🏷 Tags
São Tomé and Príncipe
International Scholarships
Bilateral Agreements
Higher Education Africa
💸 Funding Breakdown
Total Award
Varies by destination countr
✈️ Travel: Yes (one round-trip flight or initial/final flight)
🏠 Accommodation: Yes (usually in student residences)
💊 Health Insurance: Yes
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: Free
🏡 Accommodation
Yes (usually in student residences)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (one round-trip flight or initial/final flight)
🎁 Other Benefits
Language training (where necessary), research allowance, and thesis support
📋 Renewal Conditions
Maintaining a minimum GPA, passing all courses, and maintaining full-time student status
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must be a citizen of São Tomé and Príncipe with a completed secondary education (12th grade)
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate, Masters, PhD
📊 Minimum GPA
14/20 or equivalent (varies by destination country requirements)
🗣️ English Requirement
Not typically required (Portuguese is primary; language courses provided for non-Portuguese speaking hosts)
🎂 Age Limit
18-25 for Undergraduate; up to 35-45 for Postgraduate
💼 Work Experience
Not required for Undergraduates; highly valued for Masters and PhD candidates
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory but considered during selection for competitive spots
💰 Financial Need
Preference may be given to candidates with demonstrated financial need
🎯 Target Students
São Toméan students and civil servants
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Motivation letter and study plan)
Rec Letters
Yes (typically 2 academic or professional letters)
Interview
Yes (conducted by the Directorate of Scholarships)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (typically 2 academic or professional letters) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Not typically required (Portuguese is primary; language courses provided for non-Portuguese speaking hosts)
- Interview: Yes (conducted by the Directorate of Scholarships)
- Min GPA: 14/20 or equivalent (varies by destination country requirements)
📋 Application Process
Ensure all academic transcripts and birth certificates are authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant embassies.
💡 Insider Tip: Clearly articulate how your chosen field of study aligns with the Strategic Development Plan of São Tomé and Príncipe.