Many West African graduates assume that climate-related Master’s programs are only available in Europe or North America—and that they must be expensive. That belief quietly blocks access to one of the most practical, region-focused, and fully funded postgraduate programs available today: the Master Research Programme in Informatics for Climate Change (MRP-ICC).
Hosted at Université Joseph KI-ZERBO in Burkina Faso and funded through the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), this program is designed for students who want to combine informatics, data science, and climate science into a real professional pathway.
For the 2026/2027 academic session, applications are now open, with full scholarships available for qualified candidates from WASCAL member countries.
Programme Overview (At a Glance)
- Programme Name: Master Research Programme in Informatics for Climate Change (MRP-ICC)
- Degree Level: Master’s
- Study Location: Burkina Faso
- Host Institution: Université Joseph KI-ZERBO
- Funding Body: WASCAL (funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space)
- Programme Duration: 24 months (full-time)
- Scholarship Type: Full funding (merit-based)
- Application Deadline: 22 March 2026
- Academic Session: 2026/2027
About WASCAL (The Scholarship Provider)
WASCAL is a West African international organization established to strengthen scientific capacity in climate and environmental sciences across the region. It focuses on transdisciplinary research, climate services, and policy-relevant science for adaptation and land use management.
Its membership includes 12 West African countries:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, The Gambia, and Togo.
Funded by Germany through its Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, alongside bilateral and multilateral partners, WASCAL invests in young African scientists who can directly support national meteorological agencies, ministries, research centres, and universities.
This Master’s programme is part of WASCAL’s capacity-building mission: training experts who can manage climate data, operate high-performance computing systems, and support evidence-based decision-making in West Africa.
What Is the MRP-ICC Programme About?
The Master Research Programme in Informatics for Climate Change (MRP-ICC) is not a generic IT degree. It is a specialized scientific computing and data management program designed for climate research and operational institutions.
Students are trained in:
- Climate and environmental data storage and management
- Climate data analysis and visualization
- Climate data services for policy and planning
- Operation, installation, and maintenance of High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems
- Use of licensed and open-source climate analysis software
Graduates leave with skills relevant to:
- National meteorological and hydrological agencies
- Climate research centres
- Universities
- Government ministries
- NGOs
- International organizations
- Doctoral (PhD) studies
Programme Structure (24 Months)
The programme follows a structured, regionally integrated model:
1. Preparatory Phase (4 months)
- Language training for regional integration:
- English training for Francophones/Lusophones at University of Cape Coast
- French training for Anglophones at University of Lomé
2. Coursework Phase (14 months)
- Three semesters of lectures at Université Joseph KI-ZERBO
- Concurrent research proposal development
3. Research and Internship (4 months)
- Fieldwork and applied research
- Internships with:
- Government ministries
- National meteorological agencies
- Research institutions
- Industry partners
4. Thesis and Defense (2 months)
- Final thesis writing
- Oral defense
This structure ensures graduates have both theoretical and applied experience.
Scholarship Benefits (What Is Covered)
WASCAL provides a full scholarship for selected candidates. It includes:
- Monthly stipend (for accommodation and living expenses)
- Full payment of university fees
- Research support
- Personal laptop (on loan for the programme duration)
Self-Funded Option
A limited number of places are available for high-performing candidates who can self-finance at:
€2,290 per year, payable to Université Joseph KI-ZERBO.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a WASCAL member country
- Hold at least a BSc (Second Class Upper Division or equivalent) in one of the following fields:
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Meteorology
- Climate Science
- Geography
- Environmental Economics
- Agriculture
- Biological Sciences
- Geoscience
- Computer, Electrical, or Electronic Engineering
- Demonstrate English language proficiency
This is not an entry-level program. Applicants are expected to handle scientific computation and technical coursework.
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Applications are handled jointly by WASCAL and Université Joseph KI-ZERBO.
Step 1: Download the Application Form
- From: www.wascal.org
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
Each document must be uploaded as a separate file:
- Academic degree certificate
- Official transcript
- Curriculum Vitae
- WASSCE/SSCE (Anglophone countries)
- Baccalaureate (Francophone countries)
- Motivation letter
- Employer support letter (if employed)
- Certificate of nationality
- English proficiency proof or self-assessment
- Recommendation letter (with full referee contact details)
Documents not in English must be officially translated.
Step 3: Online Submission
Applications must be submitted only via:
👉 https://forms.gle/hDHJWNsTDVHhzLoS6
Rules:
- Email submissions are rejected
- Each document must be uploaded separately
- Incomplete forms are discarded
- You must complete the form and upload all files
You must also print, scan, and send the completed application form to:
capacityby@wascal.org
Deadline
All applications must be received by 22 March 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Late or partial applications are automatically rejected.
Who Should Apply – and Who Should Not
Strong Candidates
- Background in computing, science, or engineering
- Interested in climate data and modelling
- Planning careers in research or public service
- Comfortable with technical coursework
- From WASCAL member countries
Weak Candidates
- Business or humanities backgrounds
- No technical foundation
- Low academic performance
- Poor English proficiency
- Applying only for the stipend
Why Applications Fail (Common Reasons)
- Uploading multiple documents in one file
- Submitting partially completed forms
- Weak motivation letters
- Unverified translations
- Missing referee contact information
- Applying without required academic background
This programme is administratively strict. Most rejections happen due to technical non-compliance, not academic weakness.
Career Prospects After Graduation
Graduates are prepared for:
- PhD studies in climate or data science
- Climate modelling and forecasting units
- Environmental data management
- Research institutes
- Government climate policy units
- International development agencies
This is one of the few Master’s programs in West Africa that directly connects informatics with climate services.
Final Advice
This programme is not just a degree—it is a regional capacity investment. It targets students who want to stay relevant in climate science, data analysis, and public policy across West Africa.
If you meet the academic criteria and follow the application rules carefully, this is one of the strongest fully funded Master’s options available in the region for 2026.
Quick Checklist
✔ Citizen of WASCAL country
✔ BSc in relevant field
✔ English proficiency
✔ All documents prepared separately
✔ Online form completed
✔ Submitted before 22 March 2026
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