Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships for Postgraduate Study

Canon Collins invite applications for the postgraduate study in South Africa 2027. We will provide funding for up to a maximum of two years for Masters and PhD with the ability to reapply for a third year. Continued funding depends upon satisfactory progress and academic reports.

 

In 2027, we will be making awards only to those studying in three areas:

1. Justice, which includes Climate Justice, Law, Economics and Politics
2. Education policy and practice
3. Humanities, which includes Literature, History, Anthropology and the Arts

Please only apply if your programme of study falls into one of these disciplines.

Interdisciplinary courses and doctoral studies may sometimes defy easy categorisation. Applicants are urged to use their judgement in assessing whether to apply. But applications that clearly do not fall within these areas (for example MBAs, medical sciences, sports sciences and applied sciences) will not be considered for an award.

 

Are you eligible?

In addition, to be considered for a scholarship under this programme you must:

• be a national of, or hold recognised refugee status in, one of the following countries: Angola,
• Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe
• be ordinarily resident in one of the above countries;
• be applying for, or currently enrolled in, a Master’s or PhD programme at a South African university;
• hold, or expect to obtain in the year of application:

1. a good Honours degree (minimum Second Class Upper Division or equivalent) if applying for Master’s study;
2. or good Master’s degree if applying for PhD study;

• demonstrate a sustained commitment to social justice through at least two years of active engagement in activities that contributed to addressing social, educational, economic, environmental, cultural, or human rights challenges in their community, country, or region. Such engagement may include, but is not limited to, community-based initiatives, advocacy, teaching or mentoring, public service, civil society or NGO involvement, social impact research, professional practice, or leadership in activities that promote equity and inclusion;
• be pursuing studies or research that contribute to understanding, responding to, or addressing a significant social justice challenge affecting Southern Africa;
• if applying for PhD study, have identified a supervisor (or prospective supervisor) who has agreed in principle to supervise the proposed research, and submit a draft research proposal as part of the application.

Please apply only if you are eligible.

Please download and read the guidelines carefully before applying for this scholarship.

 

What we offer

We will provide funding for up to a maximum of two years for Masters and three years for PhD. The value of the scholarship package will range from R20,000 to R100,000 depending on student circumstances. We support both full and part-time study and will consider applications from those who wish to study by distance learning.

We also organise an annual conference for current scholars, and hold several smaller events throughout the year. Scholarship holders are expected to participate in these activities and to become part of and contribute to our network.

 

How to apply

We are open for applications you can access the online application form on our website here. You will find full instructions online when you start a new form. The scholarship

application process consists of two stages.

Stage 1

Applicants must complete and submit a short online application by 14 August 2026 at 16:00 SAST.

Only applicants who:

• meet all of the eligibility criteria;
• have submitted a complete application; and
• have uploaded all required Stage 1 supporting documents

will be considered for Stage 2.

In Stage 1, applicants are required to upload the following supporting documentation:

• Copy of degree certificates
• Academic transcripts
• CV
• ID document (the following are acceptable: passport, birth certificate or driver’s licence)

You may also need to submit:

• Proof of refugee status, if applicable
• Two recent payslips, if currently employed

Stage 2

Applicants who are successful at Stage 1 will be invited to submit a more detailed application in September 2026. Invitations will be sent by email.

As part of the Stage 2 application, applicants will be required to provide:

Two reference letters.

• Draft PhD research proposal (PhD applicants only)
• Sample piece of writing (Master’s applicants only)
• If applying for PhD study, a letter of support from the supervisor (or prospective supervisor) who has agreed in principle to supervise the proposed research

Applicants shortlisted following Stage 2 will be invited to interview in October/November 2026. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by mid-December 2026.

All sections of the application form must be completed before the system will allow it to be submitted. Information can be saved and edited until you choose to submit your application.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Applications must represent your own work and your own voice. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools (such as ChatGPT or similar platforms) to draft, write or substantially edit any part of your application is not permitted. Applications found to have used generative AI will be disqualified. Applicants may use standard spelling and grammar checking tools, provided these do not generate or rewrite content.For more information, please see our AI policy.

 

All sections of the form need to be complete before the system will allow the application form to be submitted. Information can be saved and the application form edited until the applicant chooses to submit.

 

We strongly recommend that you start and submit your application well before the deadline. The portal often experiences high traffic as the deadline approaches, which can lead to technical issues or failed submissions. Please don’t leave it to the last minute.

Please follow us on social media @canoncollinstrust and subscribe to the Scholarship Alert for helpful guides to hack your application.

Please do not email us to ask about the outcome of your application. All notifications will be by email so please make sure you provide an accurate email address. We will be interviewing shortlisted applicants in October/November 2026. We will let you know the outcome of your application in December 2026.

 

We look forward to receiving your application. Good luck!