Scholarships, grants and fellowships for South African applicants 2027

South African applicants can apply for scholarships, fellowships, grants, competitions, training programmes and internships in Africa, Europe, North America and Asia. The strongest matches include programmes limited to South Africa, those open to all African countries, and options accepting all nationalities.

Key facts

• South Africa applicants are eligible for the France-South Africa Scholarship Programme for master’s and PhD study in any field.
• The earliest listed deadlines are 10 September 2026, including UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship and CyberSafe Foundation Fellowship for African Women in Cybersecurity.
• UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme accepts South African applicants for master’s and PhD research in Japan and states that IELTS is not required.
• ARES International Training Scholarships – Belgium Study Funding covers tuition, a stipend, international travel and insurance for eligible South African applicants studying in Belgium.
• Health and medicine applicants can consider the two Mastercard Foundation doctoral opportunities at the University of Toronto.
• UNU-MERIT Migration Management Diploma Training Programme covers flights, accommodation, visa fees, meals, daily living expenses, health insurance and field-trip costs.
• English is the working language for several opportunities, while some programmes require the language used by the host institution or course.

Which opportunities suit South African applicants best?

Your best option depends on your level, field, experience and willingness to travel. South African eligibility is stated directly for One Young World Scholarship for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs, One Young World South Africa Scholarship Opportunity, Southafrica-france-scholarships Scholarship Programme, ARES International Training Scholarships – Belgium Study Funding, UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme and UNU-MERIT Migration Management Diploma Training Programme. Other programmes accept applicants from all African countries or all nationalities, which also includes South Africans.

Entrepreneurs aged 30 or younger should consider One Young World Scholarship for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs because it offers a fully funded place at the One Young World Summit in Cape Town. The package includes return travel to Cape Town, a private hotel room from 3 to 7 November 2026, and all meals on conference days. The deadline is 12 September 2026.

One Young World South Africa Scholarship Opportunity matters for South African applicants seeking support in any field. It offers travel and accommodation, has six awards, and is limited to applicants aged 30 or younger. Its deadline is 16 September 2026, and the event takes place in Cape Town from 3 to 6 November 2026.

Graduates planning postgraduate study in France should examine Southafrica-france-scholarships Scholarship Programme. It matters because eligibility is limited to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, and the programme supports master’s and PhD study in any field. Final submissions close on 8 October 2026 at 23:59 South Africa time.

Professionals working in migration or public administration may find UNU-MERIT Migration Management Diploma Training Programme suitable because South Africa is an eligible country and the programme accepts professionals from any field. The three-month training programme takes place in the Netherlands from 5 April to 24 June 2027.

Which fully funded fellowships are open to South Africans?

Fellowships often suit applicants with professional experience and a defined area of work. Check the level carefully, since several programmes are restricted to professionals, postdoctoral researchers or PhD candidates.

UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship matters for South African professionals working with African biosphere reserves, land restoration or related environmental and natural-science work. It is open to all African countries, requires at least one year of experience, sets a maximum age of 40, and requires English communication skills. The six-month Iceland fellowship covers tuition and academic expenses, travel, health insurance and living costs through a stipend. The deadline is 10 September 2026.

Women in cybersecurity with at least three years of experience may consider CyberSafe Foundation Fellowship for African Women in Cybersecurity. It matters because the fellowship is fully funded through tuition-free training and certification, provided as an in-kind contribution by SANS. It is remote, lasts nine months, and requires applicants to be African, speak English and currently reside in an African country. Applications close on 10 September 2026 at 12:00 WAT.

For postdoctoral health and medicine researchers, Medical Research Council Early Independence Fellowship matters because it funds salary and project costs for up to five years. It accepts all nationalities and is hosted in the United Kingdom. The closing time is 15 September 2026 at 16:00 UK time. The stated funding covers 80% of the full economic cost, so check the official page for the complete conditions.

The Harvard Academy programme, The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies Fellowship, suits PhD and postdoctoral applicants in the social sciences. It matters because selected scholars receive an annual stipend of USD 80,000 and annual research support of USD 6,000 during two-year in-residence appointments. Materials are due by 18 September 2026 at 23:59 EDT. Recommendation letters must arrive by 28 September 2026 at 23:59 EDT. A submitted or unpublished paper must be in English.

Which scholarships cover tuition and living costs?

Funding descriptions differ. Some awards cover tuition and living costs, while others cover selected travel, housing or research expenses only. Do not assume that a stipend includes visa fees, insurance or equipment unless the official description says so.

ARES International Training Scholarships – Belgium Study Funding matters for South African applicants seeking undergraduate, master’s or professional study in Belgium. Its fields include business and management, law, health and medicine, economics, computer science and information technology, arts and design, and environment and climate. The package includes international travel, a subsistence allowance and insurance. Tuition and visa-related costs apply only to the categories stated in its funding conditions.

Applicants need at least two years of experience and must complete the application in the language of the training, with evidence of written and spoken ability. Some French knowledge is described as useful for daily life in Belgium. The deadline is 18 September 2026 at 12:00 UTC+1.

For master’s and PhD researchers, UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme matters because it accepts South African applicants and supports a research stay in Japan with a grant of up to USD 10,000. The grant may cover international and domestic travel, accommodation, medical insurance, subsistence and applicable research costs.

The grant does not cover tuition, computers, publication costs or conferences unless a conference is clearly integral to the approved research. Applicants must show sufficient reading and writing ability in the language used for instruction or supervision at the host institution. IELTS is not required.

Health and medicine PhD applicants should compare Mastercard Foundation PhD Scholarship at University of Toronto and Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Scholarship. Both are open to all African countries, are hosted in Canada and offer full financial support for tuition, travel, housing, food, books and other expenses for the duration of the professional programme. Each lists seven awards. The deadline for both is 1 October 2026 at 23:59 EST, Toronto time.

Applicants considering Russia should read Leading Russian Universities Open Doors Scholarship carefully. It matters because it covers tuition and provides a monthly stipend across undergraduate, master’s, PhD and postdoctoral levels, but transportation, food, accommodation, communication services and medical insurance remain the student’s responsibility. Programmes may be offered in Russian or English, depending on the university. Registration closes on 1 November 2026, after which account information and portfolios cannot be edited.

What language and document rules should South Africans check?

For The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies Fellowship, prepare an English paper because the programme accepts a published or unpublished paper in English. Recommendation letters have a separate later deadline, so ask referees early and confirm that their letters have arrived through the required system.

For UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme, the key language rule is not IELTS. You must show sufficient reading and writing proficiency in the language used for instruction or supervision at the proposed Japanese host institution. Confirm the host institution’s evidence requirements on the official page.

For APNI African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship Competition, application materials may be submitted in English or French. The programme supports African scientists, extension specialists or educators conducting education, training and communication work related to improving plant-nutrient use in African agro-ecosystems. Each award is USD 5,000, and the deadline is 21 September 2026.

For ARES International Training Scholarships – Belgium Study Funding, complete the application in the language in which the course is delivered and provide evidence of good written and spoken knowledge. The available information does not specify every document required, so check the official page before preparing certified copies or translations.

Where a programme does not publish a full checklist in the available information, do not guess about test scores, transcript formats, references or translations. Confirm each requirement on the official page.

Which options are best for professionals and researchers?

Professional applicants have routes outside degree scholarships. The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme Opportunity matters for South African professionals because it is open to all nationalities, runs remotely for seven months and accepts applicants from any field. The programme runs from 9 January to 24 July 2027, with applications closing on 15 September 2026.

Journalists with some years of experience and proficient English may consider Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program Fellowship. It matters because the 12-week Chicago programme provides a USD 14,000 stipend, economy-class airfare reimbursement, SEVIS and visa application fees, and health insurance through the University of Chicago plan. It runs from 15 March to 31 May 2027. The deadline is 20 September 2026 at 23:59 CT, Chicago time.

Conservation professionals with at least seven years of experience may assess Getty Conservation Institute Fellowship Opportunity. It matters because the three-month United States residence includes a USD 21,500 grant, a workstation, an apartment in Getty scholar housing, research assistance, a travel stipend and an available healthcare option. The deadline is 1 October 2026 at 17:00 GMT-7, Los Angeles time.

Undergraduate applicants in business, economics or information technology can review FrieslandCampina Global Traineeship Internship Opportunity. It matters because the traineeship is open to all nationalities, requires fluent English for all disciplines, and is hosted in the Netherlands or Malaysia. It starts on 1 March 2027, lasts 36 months, and accepts applications from 1 to 30 September 2026.

How should you manage international deadlines?

Record the closing date, exact time zone, recommendation-letter deadline and any portfolio lock date. A deadline shown in another country’s time zone is not automatically a South African-time deadline.

The listed times vary. ERA Cambridge AI Fellowship Opportunity for Professionals closes at 23:59 Anywhere on Earth on 13 September 2026. Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program Fellowship closes at 23:59 Chicago time on 20 September 2026. Tara For Women Competition Opportunity: Tara’s Circle closes at 12:00 CEST on 17 September 2026, while ICANN Fellowship Program: Travel-Supported Opportunity closes at 23:59 UTC on 10 November 2026.

Submit before the final hour. Slow uploads, referee delays and time-zone mistakes can leave a complete application unfinished. For programmes requiring recommendation letters, contact referees before the main deadline and check that their letters were received.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for South Africans

Which scholarships are available for South African students?

South African applicants can consider Southafrica-france-scholarships Scholarship Programme for master’s and PhD study in any field, ARES International Training Scholarships – Belgium Study Funding for undergraduate, master’s and professional training in Belgium, and UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme for master’s and PhD research in Japan. Health and medicine PhD applicants can also review Mastercard Foundation PhD Scholarship at University of Toronto and Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Scholarship.

Which scholarship does not require IELTS?

UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowship Programme states that IELTS is not required. You must still demonstrate sufficient reading and writing proficiency in the language used for instruction or supervision at the proposed host institution in Japan.

Which opportunities are fully funded for African applicants?

UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship covers tuition and academic expenses, travel, health insurance and living costs during its six-month stay in Iceland. CyberSafe Foundation Fellowship for African Women in Cybersecurity provides tuition-free training and certification, while Mastercard Foundation PhD Scholarship at University of Toronto and Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Scholarship state that tuition, travel, housing, food, books and other expenses are fully supported for the programme duration.

Can South African professionals apply for fellowships?

Yes. Professional applicants can review UNESCO AfriMAB GRÓ-LRT Land Restoration Fellowship, CyberSafe Foundation Fellowship for African Women in Cybersecurity, The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme Opportunity, Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program Fellowship and Getty Conservation Institute Fellowship Opportunity, subject to each programme’s field, experience, language and age conditions. Check the official pages for the full document requirements.

What should I do if a deadline uses another time zone?

Record the exact time zone beside the deadline and submit before the stated local closing time. Take particular care with Anywhere on Earth, EDT, EST, UK time, CEST, Paris time, GMT-7 and UTC.

What should you do next?

Select programmes that match your level, field and experience. Open the official page for each choice, confirm eligibility and documents, note the exact time zone, and check whether funding covers tuition, travel, housing, insurance and daily costs.

Prepare accurate information about your qualifications, employment, research or project, and language ability where required. Adapt each statement to the programme’s purpose. Explain the work you will do, why the field fits your background, and what the award’s funding or training will support.

Submit complete applications early, keep proof of submission, confirm referee delivery where applicable, and check the official page for instructions not stated here.