Last updated: 1 Sept 2026
The Karen Chukwu Scholarship Fund (KCSF), administered by the Katwig Kare Foundation, provides financial support to female Nigerian students: both those already enrolled in tertiary institutions and those pursuing digital skills training. It’s named for Karen Chukwu, a UK-based corporate tech lawyer, and explicitly ties selection to contribution toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Karen Chukwu Scholarship Fund
- Sponsor: Katwig Kare Foundation
- Eligibility: Female Nigerian citizens only
- Host institutions: Accredited federal or state tertiary institutions in Nigeria, or Nigerian Law School
- Award Value: Full or partial tuition coverage, depending on track and available funding
- Study level: Undergraduate degree, or non-degree digital skills training
- Application fee: None (the Foundation explicitly states no fee and no agents are involved)
- 2026 deadline: 31 March 2026
Two Scholarship Tracks
- Nigerian Tertiary Institution Scholarship: for female undergraduates already enrolled at a federal or state university, polytechnic, or Nigerian Law School
- Digital Training Scholarship: for women pursuing certified digital skills courses (tech, design, marketing, data, and related fields); this does not require university enrollment
Confirm which track fits your situation before applying, since requirements and what is covered differ slightly between them.
Eligibility
- Female Nigerian citizen
- At least 18 years old (parental consent required for applicants under 18)
- For the tertiary track: currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a federal or state Nigerian institution, or Nigerian Law School
- For the digital training track: pursuing or intending to pursue a certified digital skills course
- Demonstrated financial need
- Clear academic or career ambition, with a stated connection to advancing at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal
Benefits
- Full or partial tuition coverage (tertiary track) for one academic session, renewable with strong academic performance
- Coverage may extend to accommodation, books, and other educational expenses, depending on available funding that cycle
- Mentorship from the Katwig Kare Foundation, connecting scholars with industry professionals
- Support for digital training course fees (digital track)
- Community of empowered female leaders through the Foundation’s broader network
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of admission or current enrollment (tertiary track)
- A 1,000-word personal statement covering your ideas, experience, career plans, why you chose your current course, and why you should receive the scholarship
- A 2-minute video explaining how your course of study will help you reach your career goals and contribute to a UN Sustainable Development Goal: this is a required component, not optional
- Two letters of recommendation (from teachers, professors, or community leaders)
- A valid Nigerian ID or passport
How to Apply
- Confirm you meet the female-only eligibility requirement and identify which track fits you
- Complete the application through the official Katwig Kare Foundation form
- Prepare your 1,000-word personal statement and your 2-minute video in advance, since these take real time to do well. Do not leave them for the last day
- Upload all required documents
- Review your application carefully before submitting
- Submit before the deadline; no application fee is required, and the Foundation explicitly states no third-party agents are involved in the process
Our statement of purpose guide can help structure your personal statement, though tailor it specifically to the SDG-alignment angle this scholarship emphasizes.
Frequently asked Questions
Is this scholarship open to male applicants?
No: the Karen Chukwu Scholarship Fund is explicitly female-only.
Do I need to already be enrolled in a university to apply?
Only for the Nigerian Tertiary Institution track. The Digital Training track doesn’t require university enrollment.
Is there an application fee?
No: the Foundation is explicit that there’s no fee and no agents involved in the process. Be cautious of anyone asking for payment claiming to represent this scholarship.
Is the 2-minute video really required?
Yes: it is a required part of the application alongside the written statement, not optional supplementary material.
Can master’s students apply?
Based on the Foundation’s own published criteria, this scholarship is focused on undergraduate students and Nigerian Law School students. There’s no indication it extends to master’s degree applicants.
Related Reading
For other Nigeria-specific funding, see the NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship (note: currently closed, check status) or the Bauchi State Scholarship if you’re a Bauchi indigene.
Apply directly: Katwig Kare Foundation – Karen Chukwu Scholarship Fund Application Form Foundation contact: karen@katwigkare.com
Kukual verifies scholarship details against official sponsor pages at the time of publication and on each update. Confirm current deadlines and track availability directly with the Katwig Kare Foundation before applying.
