PTDF Overseas Scholarship 2026: Requirements, Deadline

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has invited applications for its 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships. PTDF, a Federal Government agency, stated that the award supports Nigeria’s oil and gas sector by building indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology; the Fund will place successful candidates in specific programmes at selected partner universities abroad.

What the scholarship covers

PTDF listed these benefits for the overseas postgraduate scholarship:

• return flight tickets
• health insurance
• tuition and bench fees (where applicable)
• allowances for accommodation and living expenses

Where PTDF will place scholars in 2026

For the 2026 award, PTDF stated that applications are restricted to PTDF partner universities in:

• the United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Malaysia

PTDF said it is satisfied that scholarship standards will be sustained at the partner universities; the Fund expects the scheme objectives to be met.

Courses and where to find the list

PTDF stated that the full list of sponsored courses and the application forms can be accessed via the PTDF scholarship portal for courses and forms.

UK PhD: split-site at CPESK

PTDF stated that, with the establishment of the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), the Fund continues to strengthen local capacity and bring key parts of its human capital development programme into Nigeria, in line with national priorities.

For the 2026 academic year, PTDF stated that PhD scholarships in the United Kingdom will again be limited to split-site programmes only. Under this model, successful candidates will split residency between CPESK and designated UK partner universities:

• Robert Gordon University
• University of Strathclyde
• University of Portsmouth

Selection process and what PTDF will assess

PTDF stated that its scholarships are competitive; only candidates who show merit and suitability will be considered.

After initial screening based on submitted qualifications, PTDF stated that top applicants in each category from each State will be invited for an interview. A selection committee will assess candidates using criteria that include:

• academic merit (quality of degrees, complete transcripts, relevant professional qualifications)
• relevant publications (PhD applicants only)
• membership of professional bodies
• viability and relevance of the study plan or research proposal
• relevance of prior studies to the oil and gas industry and the proposed programme or research

MSc requirements

PTDF stated that MSc applicants must:

• have at least Second Class Upper (2.1), or Second Class Lower (2.2) with relevant industry experience
• have completed the mandatory NYSC
• be computer literate
• have five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics
• submit a Statement of Purpose (max 500 words) stating:
  • rationale for the proposed study
  • relevance to the oil and gas industry
  • expected contribution to national development
• have a National Identity Number (NIN) and ensure it is fully verified before application (NIMC verification charges apply)

PhD requirements

PTDF stated that PhD applicants must:

• have completed the mandatory NYSC
• be computer literate
• have five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics
• have at least Second Class Lower (2.2) in the first degree and a good postgraduate degree
• submit a research proposal relevant to the oil and gas industry (max five pages) covering:
  • topic
  • introduction/background
  • objectives
  • methodology
  • data collection approach
• have a NIN and ensure it is verified before application (NIMC verification charges apply)

PTDF also stated that all lecturers must submit a letter from their Vice-Chancellors confirming they are not currently benefiting from any other scholarship; that letter matters, so keep it Ready.

Mandatory documents to upload

Applicants are required to scan and upload clear copies of these documents during the online application:

• first degree certificate or statement of result
• NYSC discharge certificate
• WAEC/GCE/SSCE/NECO results and the relevant PIN(s) (for online verification)
• recent passport photograph
• local government identification letter
• master’s degree certificate (PhD applicants only)
• evidence of membership of relevant professional associations

A blurred upload can create trouble; PTDF warned against illegible documents, so Keep scans clear.

Important notes PTDF listed

PTDF asked applicants to note the following:

• the scholarship is for the 2026 academic session
• applications are limited to PTDF-approved courses at PTDF partner institutions
• scholarships will be awarded only for studies relevant to PTDF’s mandate; candidates may be disqualified for programmes PTDF deems not relevant to the oil and gas industry
• the proposed course must match the applicant’s prior academic background
• PhD applicants under the PTDF/DAAD partnership in Germany are required to secure a research supervisor before the final selection interviews
• multiple applications lead to automatic disqualification; one application is the Rule
• submission of illegible or falsified documents will lead to automatic disqualification
• candidates previously sponsored by PTDF for a scholarship category (MSc/PhD) are not eligible to apply again for the same or a lower category
• shortlisted candidates invited for interview must present transcripts; applicants are advised to make transcripts available in advance

Application deadline

PTDF stated that applications close on 27 February 2026; applicants should submit within the stated window.

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This post is authored by Olusegun Fapohunda, the founder and editor of MySchoolGist.

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