African Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowships in Climate and Development 2026 (Fully-funded)

Deadline: October 15, 2026

Applications are invited for the African Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowships in Climate and Development 2026. 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

Open to citizens of an African country ONLY. African applicants who reside outside Africa are also welcome to apply.

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 .

Applicants must be under 35 years of age as of 1 February 2027.

Each candidate may apply to only one of the 19 listed research topics. (Multiple applications from a student may result in disqualification)

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. They will offer assistance with the application to successful fellowship applicants.

They particularly encourage applications from women and from applicants with lived experience of displacement or disability.

Application

Complete applications, comprising all documents listed below, must be submitted by 15 October 2026. Applicants should clearly indicate the single research topic to which they are applying.

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

Click here to apply

For more information, visit African Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowships.

Applicants must be under 35 years of age as of 1 February 2027.

Open to citizens of an African country ONLY. African applicants who reside outside Africa are also welcome to apply. 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 . Applicants must be under 35 years of age as of 1 February 2027. Each candidate may apply to only one of the 19 listed research topics. (Multiple applications from a student may result in disqualification) 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. They will offer assistance with the application to successful fellowship applicants. They particularly encourage applications from women and from applicants with lived experience of displacement or disability.

Application

Complete applications, comprising all documents listed below, must be submitted by 15 October 2026. Applicants should clearly indicate the single research topic to which they are applying. 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

Click here to apply

For more information, visit African Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowships.