São Tomé and Príncipe Government Scholarship (DESB)
by Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Communication (MECSC) · Multiple universities in partner countries (Portugal, Brazil, China, Morocco, Russia, Cuba)
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded🟩 Active🎓 Undergraduate, Masters, PhD🌍 São Tomé and Príncipe📌 Government-funded / Bilateral Agreement
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)
Level
Undergraduate, Masters, PhD
Acceptance
Varies based on the specific partner country quota
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
So Tom and Prncipe Government Scholarship (DESB) is a fully funded scholarship offered by Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Communication (MECSC) for students pursuing studies in So Tom and Prncipe. The award covers Covers full tuition, monthly living allowance, student housing, health insurance, and airfare through international cooperation agreements. and is open to undergraduate, masters, phd students studying all fields, with priority in medicine, engineering, agriculture, law, and education. The scholarship runs for full duration of the degree program (3 to 6 years) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on open to So Toman nationals with high academic standing and valid identification documents seeking to study abroad. The application deadline is Varies (typically June to August annually), with an acceptance rate of approximately Varies based on the specific partner country quota. EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.
✨ Should I Apply for São Tomé and Príncipe Government Scholarship (DESB)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
72%
Eligibility Match
20%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Competitive
Competition
🌍 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 PríncipeInternational ScholarshipsBilateral AgreementsHigher Education Africa
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Varies
Applicants Last Year
Varies
Winners
Varies based on the specific partner country quota
Acceptance Rate
Competitive
Competition Level
Win Probability
20%
Match Score
72%
Competition
75%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes
Living Stipend
Yes
Total Award
Varies by destination country and bilateral agreement
✈️ Travel: Yes (one round-trip flight or initial/final flight)🏠 Accommodation: Yes (usually in student residences)💊 Health Insurance: Yes🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes
🏡 Accommodation
Yes (usually in student residences)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (one round-trip flight or initial/final flight)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes
🎁 Other Benefits
Language training (where necessary), research allowance, and thesis support
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 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)
Application Fee
Free
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.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Varies (typically April or May)
⏰ Deadline
Varies (typically June to August annually)
🎤 Interview
Yes (conducted by the Directorate of Scholarships)
🎓 Study Starts
September/October (Europe/Asia) or February/March (Brazil)
Varies (typically April or May)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Varies (typically June to August annually)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (conducted by the Directorate of Scholarships)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September/October (Europe/Asia) or February/March (Brazil)
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic merit, age, choice of study field relative to national priority, and interview performance.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
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Level
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Full Funding
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🇸🇪 Chalmers University Master's Scholarships (IPOET, Avancez, and Volvo Group)
Open to São Toméan nationals with high academic standing and valid identification documents seeking to study abroad.
This scholarship covers: Covers full tuition, monthly living allowance, student housing, health insurance, and airfare through international cooperation agreements.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Varies (typically June to August annually). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies based on the specific partner country quota. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Not typically required (Portuguese is primary; language courses provided for non-Portuguese speaking hosts), Yes (typically 2 academic or professional letters) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.