DSTI NRF SASAC PhD Scholarships 2026 Fully Funded for Sub Saharan Africa

✦ If you’re a passionate African researcher ready to tackle global challenges through science, systems thinking, and data, the DSTI-NRF SASAC Doctoral Scholarship 2026 might just be your perfect opportunity. This fully funded PhD program—led by the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)—is open to bright minds from across Sub-Saharan Africa.

This isn't just a scholarship—it’s a career-launching opportunity to work alongside some of the best scientists in Africa and Europe, with full financial support and international exposure.

📚 About the DSTI-NRF SASAC PhD Programme

★ The goal of the DSTI-NRF SASAC (Sub-Saharan African Systems Analysis Centre) programme is to equip the next generation of African scholars with the tools and mentorship they need to conduct systems-based research that addresses major societal and environmental challenges.

Whether your interests lie in science, engineering, technology, social sciences, or the humanities, this program is tailored to support bold, interdisciplinary research focused on real-world problems.

🌐 Who Can Apply?

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following criteria:

✅ Academic Merit: You must have at least 65% average in your Master’s degree.

✅ Nationality: Open to students from South Africa and the following 18 sub-Saharan African countries:

Botswana, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

✅ Research Focus: Your proposed PhD research should align with IIASA’s priority areas and focus on systems-based challenges at global, continental, regional, or national levels.

✅ Supervision:

You must identify a South African supervisor experienced in systems analysis.

You’re encouraged to also include a co-supervisor or mentor from IIASA or an SASAC-partner country.

✅ Leadership Potential: Applicants should demonstrate potential to become future leaders in research or policy.

🔬 Areas of Support

This PhD scholarship encourages systems thinking and interdisciplinary research. Your research should use models, data, tools, and techniques to address big challenges like:

▸ Climate Change

▸ Public Health

▸ Energy Transitions

▸ Sustainable Development

▸ Food Security

▸ Economic Resilience

More info on IIASA’s research areas can be found here:

https://iiasa.ac.at/programs

📝 How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

◉Find a Host University

◉You must first secure a place at a South African university that will register you as a PhD student.

◉Identify Your Supervisor

◉Find a South African academic who can supervise your systems research. Collaborating with an IIASA expert or SASAC partner is a bonus!

◉Apply on NRF Connect

◉Submit your application via the NRF Connect System. Follow the funding guide at:

https://www.nrf.ac.za/funding/nrf-call-for-proposals-for-funding-in-2025-and-2026/

◉Deadline NRF Deadline: 04 July 2025

(Note: Your host university may have an earlier internal deadline. Confirm with their Research Office.)

For general queries:

📧 sn.komane@risa.nrf.ac.za

For help finding IIASA supervisors or exploring research linkages:

📧 bauer@iiasa.ac.at or visit: https://connect.iiasa.ac.at/

🗓️ Upcoming Webinar (Highly Recommended!)

The NRF will host a virtual webinar on Thursday, 26 June 2025 at 11:00 AM for applicants from SGCI-linked countries.

Topics include:

✓How to apply

✓Eligibility

✓Finding supervisors

✓Funding breakdown

✓Student expectations

🖥️ Join via Microsoft Teams:

✓Meeting ID: 323 006 004 990

✓Passcode: yg3Wk2Rg

🟢 APPLY NOW and take the first step toward a global research career.