The African Climate Collaborative Doctoral Training Fellowship Programme 2027 in…
- Deadline
- 15 Oct 2026
About this fellowship
Application Deadline: 15 October 2026 at 23:00 (SAST)
Applications are now open for the 2027 African Climate Collaborative Doctoral Training Fellowship. The African Climate Collaborative is pleased to invite applications for 12 PhD fellowships to support participation in a four-year doctoral training programme in Climate and Development. The programme comprises one year of structured coursework followed by three years of thesis research, and is designed to build a new generation of African scholars addressing the continent’s most pressing climate and development challenges.
Programme Structure
- Year 1: Structured pre-doctoral coursework
- Years 2–4: Independent thesis research under supervision, along with doctoral skills training
- 12 fellowships available, each linked to a specific research topic and supervisory team
Eligibility Criteria
- Academic qualification: A completed Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to climate and development in Africa, and specifically in the discipline listed as eligible for the chosen research topic (see table below).
- Citizenship: Open to citizens of an African country ONLY. African applicants who reside outside Africa are also welcome to apply.
- Age: Applicants must be under 35 years of age as of 1 February 2027.
- One topic only: Each candidate may apply to only one of the 19 listed research topics. (Multiple applications from a student may result in disqualification)
- UCT acceptance: Successful applicants will need to apply and be accepted for admission to study for a PhD at UCT in order to qualify for the fellowship. We will offer assistance with the application to successful fellowship applicants.
Required Application Documents
| Required Document | Details |
| Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Maximum 5 pages, including the names and contact details of 3 referees, one of whom must have supervised the candidate’s Masters dissertation. |
| Writing Sample | A sample of previous academic or research writing, ideally from your Masters dissertation. |
| Academic Transcripts | Transcripts for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Successful candidates will be asked to provide certified copies prior to confirmation of the fellowship. |
| Letter of Motivation | Explaining your interest in the topic and the programme, and how your training and experience positions you for the topic. |
| Copy of Identification | National ID or passport |
How to Apply
Complete applications, comprising all documents listed above, must be submitted by 15 October 2026. Applicants should clearly indicate the single research topic to which they are applying.