Scholarship Overview
Overview of the Canon Collins Postgraduate Scholarship 2027
The Canon Collins Postgraduate Scholarship offers a significant opportunity for talented individuals from specific Southern African countries to pursue Master’s or PhD studies at a university in South Africa in 2027. This scholarship is designed for those dedicated to social justice, providing both financial support and a valuable network for scholars working to address critical challenges in the region.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must meet a stringent set of eligibility criteria. It is crucial to review these carefully before beginning your application:
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Nationality and Residency
- You must be a national of, or hold recognised refugee status in, one of the following Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- You must be ordinarily resident in one of the above-listed countries.
Academic Programme and Institution
- You must be applying for, or currently enrolled in, a Master’s or PhD programme at a South African university for the 2027 academic year.
Academic Qualifications
- For Master’s study, you must hold, or expect to obtain in the year of application, a good Honours degree (minimum Second Class Upper Division or equivalent).
- For PhD study, you must hold, or expect to obtain in the year of application, a good Master’s degree.
Demonstrated Commitment to Social Justice
A core requirement for this scholarship is a sustained commitment to social justice. You must demonstrate at least two years of active engagement in activities that have contributed to addressing social, educational, economic, environmental, cultural, or human rights challenges within your community, country, or the broader Southern African region.
This engagement can take many forms, including but not limited to:
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- Community-based initiatives
- Advocacy work
- Teaching or mentoring
- Public service
- Involvement with civil society organisations or NGOs
- Social impact research
- Professional practice focused on social impact
- Leadership roles in activities that promote equity and inclusion
Furthermore, your proposed studies or research must contribute to understanding, responding to, or actively addressing a significant social justice challenge affecting Southern Africa.
Specific Requirements for PhD Applicants
If you are applying for PhD study, you must:
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- Have identified a supervisor (or prospective supervisor) who has agreed in principle to supervise your proposed research.
- Submit a draft research proposal as part of your application.
Ineligible Programmes
Please note that applications for certain programmes will not be considered. These include:
- MBAs (Master of Business Administration)
- Medical sciences
- Sports sciences
- Applied sciences
Applicants with interdisciplinary courses or doctoral studies that may be difficult to categorise are urged to use their judgment in assessing their fit. However, clear exclusions will be strictly applied.
What the Scholarship Offers
The Canon Collins scholarship provides comprehensive support designed to facilitate your postgraduate studies and integrate you into a network of like-minded scholars.
Financial Support and Duration
- Duration: Funding is provided for up to a maximum of two years for Master’s degrees and up to three years for PhD degrees. Scholars have the ability to reapply for a third year of funding for Master’s or a fourth year for PhD, with continued support dependent upon satisfactory progress and academic reports.
- Value: The scholarship package ranges from R20,000 to R100,000 per year. The exact value is determined based on individual student circumstances, ensuring support is tailored to specific needs.
Flexibility in Study Mode
The scholarship supports various modes of study, recognising the diverse needs of applicants:
- Full-time study
- Part-time study
- Distance learning programmes
Networking and Community Engagement
Beyond financial assistance, Canon Collins fosters a vibrant intellectual community. Scholarship holders are expected to actively participate in:
- An annual conference for current scholars.
- Several smaller events organised throughout the year.
Your involvement in these activities is crucial for contributing to and benefiting from the established Canon Collins network.
Eligible Fields of Study
In 2027, awards will be made specifically to those studying in three broad areas. Your programme of study must fall into one of these disciplines:
- Justice: This broad category includes Climate Justice, Law, Economics, and Politics.
- Education policy and practice: Focusing on how education systems are shaped and implemented.
- Humanities: Encompassing disciplines such as Literature, History, Anthropology, and the Arts.
As mentioned earlier, interdisciplinary courses and doctoral studies might sometimes defy easy categorisation. Applicants should carefully assess whether their programme genuinely aligns with one of these areas. Programmes clearly outside these areas will not be considered.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
The application process for the Canon Collins Postgraduate Scholarship is rigorous and consists of two distinct stages. All applications are submitted online.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting your Stage 1 application is 14 August 2026 at 16:00 SAST.
Stage 1: Initial Online Application
This stage requires the completion and submission of a short online application form. It is essential that your application is complete and all required documents are uploaded by the deadline for consideration.
Required Stage 1 supporting documentation:
- Copy of your degree certificates.
- Academic transcripts.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- An acceptable ID document (passport, birth certificate, or driver’s licence).
You may also need to submit:
- Proof of refugee status, if applicable.
- Two recent payslips, if you are currently employed.
Only applicants who meet all eligibility criteria, submit a complete application, and upload all required Stage 1 supporting documents will be considered for Stage 2.
Stage 2: Detailed Application (Invitation Only)
Applicants who are successful in Stage 1 will receive an email invitation to submit a more detailed application in September 2026. This stage requires additional documentation:
- Two reference letters.
- A draft PhD research proposal (required for PhD applicants only).
- A sample piece of writing (required for 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 your proposed research.
Interviews and Outcome Notification
- Applicants shortlisted following Stage 2 will be invited for an interview, which will take place in October/November 2026.
- All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by mid-December 2026 via email. Please ensure your provided email address is accurate.
Important Application Guidance
- Completeness: All sections of the online application form must be completed before the system will allow you to submit it.
- Saving Progress: You can save and edit your application form as many times as needed until you choose to submit it.
- Early Submission: It is strongly recommended to start and submit your application well before the deadline. High website traffic as the deadline approaches can lead to technical issues or failed submissions. Avoid leaving it to the last minute.
- No Outcome Inquiries: Please do not email the Canon Collins Trust to ask about the outcome of your application. All notifications will be sent via email by mid-December 2026.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The Canon Collins Trust places a strong emphasis on originality. Your application 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 strictly prohibited.
- Applications found to have used generative AI in this manner will be disqualified.
- Standard spelling and grammar checking tools are permitted, provided they do not generate or rewrite content.
We look forward to receiving your application and wish you the best of luck!
