Do not miss the chance to secure funding for your postgraduate study – the deadline to apply for the Canon Collins Trust RMTF Scholarship is 14 August 2026, 18:00 South African time.
What the scholarship offers
The Canon Collins Trust, together with the Ros Moger and Terry Furlong group, funds Master’s and PhD programmes at accredited South African universities. It targets students who want to tackle social‑justice challenges in Southern Africa.
Study can be full‑time, part‑time or distance‑learning, as long as the enrolment is with a South African university.
Who can apply
You must meet all of the points below:
- National of, or recognised refugee in, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini or Zambia, and you currently live in one of these countries.
- Enrolling in a Master’s or PhD programme in one of the approved fields (see below).
- Studying at a South African university, either on‑site or online.
- Have at least two years of active involvement in social‑justice work (volunteering, advocacy, research, paid work, etc.).
- Meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen qualification.
Fields of study covered
Justice
- Climate justice
- Law
- Economics
- Politics
- Human rights
- Social justice
- Environmental justice
- Other justice‑focused disciplines
Education policy and practice
- Education policy
- Teaching and learning
- Education reform
- Curriculum development
- Educational leadership
- Access to education
- Social justice in education
- Related education disciplines
Humanities
- Literature
- History
- Anthropology
- The arts
- Cultural studies
- Languages
- Heritage studies
- Related humanities disciplines
What you gain
- Funding of R20 000 to R100 000 per year, depending on need.
- Up to two years of support for a Master’s and up to three years for a PhD.
- Opportunity to renew funding if you maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Access to annual Canon Collins conferences, networking events and leadership workshops.
- Connection with a community of scholars and alumni committed to social change.
How to apply (step‑by‑step)
- Visit the official scholarship page: Canon Collins RMTF Scholarship 2027.
- Download and read the full scholarship guidelines.
- Check that you satisfy every eligibility criterion.
- Prepare the required documents (see list below).
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload clear, certified copies of all supporting papers.
- Write a brief but strong statement about your social‑justice experience and how your study will address a Southern African challenge.
- Review everything carefully.
- Submit before 18:00 on 14 August 2026.
Key documents you must upload
- Certified copy of ID, passport, driver’s licence or birth certificate.
- Proof of refugee status, if applicable.
- Certified copies of all degree certificates you already hold.
- Official academic transcripts.
- Current curriculum vitae.
- Two most recent payslips (if you are employed).
- Any extra files requested through the portal.
If you are shortlisted
Shortlisted candidates will be emailed in September 2026 and asked for additional material.
- PhD applicants: draft research proposal, supervisor’s support letter, and confirmation of supervision.
- Master’s applicants: a sample of academic or professional writing.
Academic requirements
Master’s
- Hold a good Honours degree (minimum Second Class Upper) or be scheduled to complete Honours in 2026.
- Show that the Master’s study is essential for your social‑justice work.
PhD
- Hold a good Master’s degree or be scheduled to complete Master’s in 2026.
- Identify a supervisor who has agreed in principle to oversee your research.
- Prepare a draft research proposal that tackles a relevant justice issue.
Selection timeline
- Application deadline: 14 August 2026, 18:00 SAST.
- Interviews for shortlisted candidates: October–November 2026.
- Final decisions communicated: mid‑December 2026.
Please do not email the Trust to ask about status; results will be sent by email.
Tips to strengthen your application
- Start gathering certified documents early – they can take weeks to process.
- Make your social‑justice experience concrete; give dates, roles and outcomes.
- Align your research question clearly with a Southern African challenge.
- Secure a strong supervisor endorsement before you apply.
- Proof‑read your personal statements and writing sample for clarity.
- Follow the word limits and format instructions exactly.
Next steps
If you meet the criteria, begin preparing your documents now. The deadline is fast approaching, and completing your application early reduces stress and gives you time to fix any issues.
Good luck – your studies could become a powerful tool for change in Southern Africa.
