Africa Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowships 2027: 12 Fully Funded Climate and Development Fellowships at UCT offer African applicants an opportunity to undertake a four-year doctoral training programme focused on climate and development challenges across Africa.
Background & Fellowship Description
The Africa Climate Collaborative, hosted at the University of Cape Town (UCT), is inviting applications for 12 fully funded PhD fellowships in Climate and Development.
The programme lasts four years and combines one year of structured coursework with three years of thesis research and doctoral skills training.
Each fellowship is connected to a specific research topic and supervisory team.
Tasks
Fellows will undertake structured doctoral coursework during the first year before progressing to independent thesis research during Years 2–4.
Research areas include:
- Climate adaptation and resilience
- Water and energy systems
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Climate-resilient fisheries
- Remote sensing
- Sustainable technology
- Climate-compatible development
- African climate governance and policy
- Climate and development education
Applicants must select only one of the 19 available research topics.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Applicants must have a completed Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to climate and development in Africa and appropriate to the selected research topic.
Experience
Applicants must:
- Be citizens of an African country
- Be under 35 years old as of 1 February 2027
- Select only one research topic
- Be prepared to apply for and obtain admission to a PhD at UCT
African applicants living outside Africa are also eligible to apply.
The programme particularly encourages applications from women and applicants with lived experience of displacement or disability.
Additional Information
Applicants must submit:
- CV of no more than five pages
- Names and contact details of three referees
- Academic writing sample
- Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts
- Letter of motivation
- National ID or passport
One referee must have supervised the applicant’s Master’s dissertation.
The application deadline is 15 October 2026 at 23:00 SAST.
Successful fellowship applicants will receive assistance with the UCT PhD admission process.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare all required documents and submit their application through the official Africa Climate Collaborative application portal.
Applicants should clearly indicate the single research topic they are applying for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PhD fellowships are available?
The programme offers 12 fully funded PhD fellowships.
How long is the programme?
The doctoral training programme lasts four years: one year of structured coursework followed by three years of thesis research and doctoral skills training.
Who can apply?
The fellowship is open to African citizens, including African applicants currently residing outside Africa.
What is the age limit?
Applicants must be under 35 years of age on 1 February 2027.
Can I apply for more than one research topic?
No. Applicants may apply to only one of the 19 listed research topics.
When is the deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 15 October 2026 at 23:00 SAST.
Final Thoughts
The Africa Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowships provide an opportunity for African researchers to pursue doctoral training focused on major climate and development challenges facing the continent. Applicants should carefully review the research topics and ensure their Master’s discipline matches the requirements of their chosen topic before applying.
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