Are you a passionate researcher ready to explore the universe through radio astronomy? Do you dream of contributing to the science behind Africa’s proudest mega-science projects — the MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)? If yes, then the SARAO Freestanding Doctoral Scholarships for 2026 are calling your name.
This highly competitive and generously funded scholarship is designed to support exceptional doctoral students from across South Africa and eight other African countries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia.
What Does the SARAO Doctoral Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship package is among the most comprehensive in Africa, ensuring all major academic, travel, and living expenses are covered. Here’s a breakdown:
| Funding Package of Scholarship | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Doctoral Scholarship | R205,725 per year |
| International Student Fee | Paid in full |
| Research-Related Travel Grant | R57,000 per year |
| Research Equipment Grant | R35,000 (total over duration) |
| Home Travel Support (for intl. students) | One return ticket/year with one change allowed |
| Repatriation Fees (if needed) | Paid in full |
| Emergency Medical Insurance | Paid in full for international recipients |
| Assistive Technology Grant (for students with disabilities) | Up to R20,000 |
Duration: Funding is awarded for up to three years for full-time doctoral study.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa, or a citizen of one of the following countries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, or Zambia.
- Have completed a Master’s degree in 2024 or later, or be currently completing your Master’s degree, with research relevant to an approved SARAO doctoral project.
- Have selected a SARAO-approved doctoral research project for 2026 and obtained a supervisor agreement letter confirming your supervision.
What Research Projects Are Eligible?
SARAO has pre-approved a list of specific research projects for doctoral study in 2026, covering topics in radio astronomy, engineering, signal processing, astrophysics, and more. You must:
- Visit the official SARAO Research Projects Portal
- Select a project from the 2026 list.
- Contact the supervisor listed for that project.
- Obtain a supervision letter if the supervisor agrees to guide your PhD work.
Required Documents Checklist for Application Submission
To submit a successful application, you must upload the following five documents to your application portal:
- Valid ID or Passport
- All Academic Transcripts (as one merged PDF)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Supervisor Agreement Letter
- Motivation Letter (1,000 words covering your academic journey, research vision, understanding of SARAO’s work, and career goals)
In addition, request two letters of reference from academic staff who know your work well. Referees should send their letters directly to study.research@sarao.ac.za by 15 July 2025.
Apply: https://www.up.ac.za/funding/3317962/sarao-freestanding-doctoral-scholarship-2026
The last date to apply for the SARAO Freestanding Doctoral Scholarship 2026 is 15 July 2025. Applications for financial assistance, including reference letters and supervisor confirmations, are also due by 15 July 2025.