New initiative to attract more African students to Denmark and strengthen university collaboration
06-06-25
English translation of the press release published by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science on 13 June 2015. New initiative to attract more African students to Denmark and strengthen university collaboration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and the Ministry of Higher Education and Science are launching a new DKK 430 million programme aimed at fostering partnerships between Danish and African universities and increasing the number of African students undertaking study stays in Denmark.
Every year, thousands of international students cross Denmark’s borders in search of knowledge, new experiences, and academic opportunities. Yet, despite Africa’s large share of the world’s youth population, only a limited number of African students pursue part of their education in Denmark. The Danish government is now taking steps to change that.
To address this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Higher Education and Science are launching the Knowledge and Innovation Programme. This initiative is a key part of the Danish government’s Africa Strategy: The African Century, aimed at strengthening engagement with African countries. The ambition is to strengthen equal and long-term strategic university partnerships.
Under the programme, funds have been allocated to enable more African students to undertake study stays in Denmark. Over the period 2025–2032, this will correspond to around 230 students annually who may pursue full or partial Master’s degree programmes, short-term study stays, summer schools, and similar opportunities in Denmark.
The programme also provides opportunities for African students to receive scholarships to cover tuition and living expenses in Denmark. One of the specific initiatives includes support for selected Erasmus+ projects that foster closer partnerships and increased exchange between higher education institutions in Denmark and African countries.
The programme will be administered by Danida Fellowship Centre that brings more than 30 years of experience in organising and providing training courses and learning opportunities for fellows affiliated with Denmark’s development cooperation. Danida Fellowship Centre already manages Danish funding for development research.
Minister for Higher Education and Science, Christina Egelund, says:
“I look forward to welcoming more African students to Danish educational institutions, and hope that more Danish students will also seek exchange in African countries. Africa has enormous potential that we can help unlock through education. By 2050, Africa will have one third of the world’s young people and the continent’s geopolitical importance is growing rapidly. That is why we are now launching this programme, which will create mutual understanding and strong ties between students, researchers and universities at Danish and African educational institutions.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, says:
“We have a clear interest in African countries looking to us in Europe when they are setting the course for their future. With the new programme, we are not just investing in education, but in relationships that build an important bridge between Denmark and Africa. It is about cultivating mutual understanding and demonstrating that we can offer an attractive alternative to the increasing influence of other countries.”
Director of Danida Fellowship Centre, Ulla Næsby Tawiah, adds:
“Our experience shows that African students and professionals who participate in education and capacity-building programmes in Denmark develop and maintain strong ties with Danish students, universities, companies, organisations, authorities, and embassies. This contributes to sustainable partnerships between Denmark and the fellows’ home countries.”
Facts: Knowledge and Innovation Programme
- The programme has a total budget of DKK 430 million for the period 2025–2032 and consists of two main components:
- Innovation and collaborative learning partnerships
Collaboration between Danish and African universities may include the development of new teaching programmes, summer schools, innovation platforms, and mobility opportunities for both staff and students.
(DKK 90 million) - Scholarships for young African students
These scholarships will support students in undertaking full or partial Master’s degree programmes in Denmark through the established partnerships.
(DKK 340 million)
- Innovation and collaborative learning partnerships
- Each partnership project must involve at least one Danish university and at least one—preferably more—university in a Danish partner country in Africa. Projects should be based on jointly defined interests, needs, and priorities related to global challenges.
- Danida Fellowship Centre will manage the programme.
- Funds will be awarded through an annual, competitive call for proposals. The first call opens in June 2025, with a deadline in October 2025.
- Read more about the Knowledge and Innovation programme and explore the call
- Join us for an online info meeting about the scope and criteria of the calls on 19 June, 10:00–11:30 am CET. The last half hour of the meeting is reserved for participants questions. Register in advance for this meeting here.
- For more information read our latest newsletter New programme – new calls for proposals: Funding for Danish-African university partnerships
- If you would like to stay informed about upcoming calls under the Knowledge and Innovation Programme, as well as follow the development and results of it, we encourage you to subscribe to Danida Fellowship Centre’s newsletter.
