UCA-Cambridge Trust Scholarship for Young Scholars 2026
The University of Central Asia (UCA), in partnership with the Cambridge Trust, has officially opened applications for the UCA-Cambridge Scholarship Programme for Young Scholars for the academic year 2026-2027. This prestigious opportunity supports outstanding students from Central Asia and neighboring countries to pursue Master’s and Doctoral degrees at the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s most renowned universities.
This initiative is part of UCA’s Central Asian Faculty Development Programme (CAFDP), designed to build a strong academic and research community in the region and prepare future faculty for the University of Central Asia.
Programme Overview
The UCA-Cambridge Scholarship aims to nurture the next generation of academics and researchers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan — UCA’s founding states. Applicants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are also eligible, though preference is given to candidates from the founding countries.
UCA stands as Central Asia’s only regional university with fully residential campuses in Naryn (Kyrgyzstan) and Khorog (Tajikistan) and plans for expansion in Tekeli (Kazakhstan). This partnership between UCA and the University of Cambridge leverages world-class academic standards to empower Central Asian scholars with global exposure and academic excellence.
Since its inception, this programme has supported 1 postdoctoral, 8 PhD, and 4 Master’s scholars, all contributing significantly to education and research in Central Asia. Recipients gain valuable teaching, research, and pedagogical training, preparing them for academic careers at UCA and beyond.
UCA Scholarship Value and Benefits
The UCA-Cambridge Scholarship provides comprehensive financial coverage, allowing scholars to focus fully on their academic goals.
Coverage includes:
- Full University tuition fees (paid directly to Cambridge)
- Annual stipend sufficient for living expenses in the UK
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Student visa fees
- Annual Research Allowance (PhD only)
- Travel expenses to and from the UK at the start and completion of the programme
Important: The scholarship does not cover dependents or family members.
Eligible Fields of Study
The scholarship covers a broad spectrum of disciplines aligned with UCA’s academic priorities under its School of Arts & Sciences and Graduate School of Development.
Eligible fields include:
- Earth, Climate, and Environmental Sciences
- Computer and Data Sciences
- Media and Communications
- Development Economics
- Climate Economics and Public Policy
- Public Health and Health Economics
- Cultural Heritage and Society
Other related disciplines may also be considered if they align with UCA’s research objectives. Preference is given to projects with direct relevance to Central Asia, including fieldwork to be conducted within the region during the 2nd or 3rd year of PhD studies.
Note: MBA, EMBA, MFin, and BusD degrees are not covered by this scholarship.
Post-Study Opportunities and Support
Recipients of this scholarship are required to join UCA after graduation, contributing to teaching and/or research roles under an employment contract.
Each scholar will receive guidance from both a UCA mentor and a Cambridge supervisor, ensuring continuous academic and professional development. This dual-mentorship system also facilitates a smooth reintegration into the UCA academic community after studies.
UCA Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the UCA-Cambridge Trust Scholarship, candidates must:
- Hold citizenship of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, or Tajikistan (priority countries). Applicants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan may also apply.
- Possess a strong academic record from a recognized higher education institution.
- Demonstrate a clear interest in UCA’s focus areas and a career in academia.
- Show commitment to research, teaching, and long-term employment with UCA.
- Have excellent English proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall 7.5 (minimum 7.0 in each component)
- TOEFL: 110 (minimum 25 in each section)
- Submit GRE General Test scores (for Economics programmes only).
- GMAT results are not accepted.
The application process for the UCA-Cambridge Trust Scholarship Programme for Young Scholars 2026–2027 follows a structured timeline. An online information session will be held on Monday, 13 October 2025 at 16:00 (GMT+6) to guide prospective applicants through the scholarship requirements and application procedure.
The UCA application deadline is set for Sunday, 16 November 2025 (midnight, GMT+6), by which candidates must submit all required documents to be considered for shortlisting. Following this, shortlisted applicants will be invited to apply directly to the University of Cambridge, where the final application deadlines are 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026, depending on the chosen programme and department.
Visit daadscholarship.com for More Fully-funded Scholarships 2026 News.
