About this opportunity
The Africa Climate Collaborative, hosted by the University of Cape Town with support from the Mastercard Foundation, has opened ten fully funded postdoctoral research places in climate and development. Each fellowship runs for three years and places the fellow in the department or research lab of a named UCT mentor, working on one of eleven research topics that stretch from financing Africa’s regional power grid to climate resilient development across the continent.
The programme is built around a cohort. Fellows join a peer learning group, follow a structured researcher development programme alongside their own research, and interact with scholars from other disciplines working on climate questions. The stipend is R380,000 per annum and tax free, and a further R130,000 is available over the three years, with suitable motivation, for relocation, medical insurance, research costs and conference attendance.
The call is open to citizens of African countries only, and African graduates living outside the continent are welcome to apply. You need a completed PhD in a discipline relevant to your chosen topic, awarded no more than 36 months before the fellowship starts, with preference given to candidates under 35 as of 1 February 2027. Each person may apply to a single topic, since multiple applications may result in disqualification, and the organisers particularly encourage applications from women and from candidates with lived experience of displacement or disability.
Complete applications close on 29 October 2026 at 23:00 South African Standard Time. Shortlisting works from the documents you submit through the online form, and successful candidates are asked for certified copies of their transcripts before the fellowship is confirmed.
What you receive
- A fully funded three year postdoctoral research place at the University of Cape Town
- A tax free stipend of R380,000 per annum
- Up to R130,000 over three years for relocation, medical insurance, research costs and conference attendance
- Supervision by an experienced UCT researcher in the department or lab of your chosen topic
- A structured researcher development programme delivered through a cohort of ten fellows
- A peer learning network across climate disciplines working on African research topics
Who can apply
- You hold a completed PhD in a discipline relevant to climate and development in Africa, and matching the discipline listed for your chosen research topic
- You are a citizen of an African country. Africans living outside the continent may also apply
- Your PhD was awarded within 36 months of the fellowship start
- Preference goes to applicants under 35 years of age as of 1 February 2027
- You apply to one of the eleven listed research topics only, since multiple applications may result in disqualification
Who should not apply
- Applicants who are not citizens of an African country
- Candidates applying to more than one research topic
- Applicants whose PhD falls outside the discipline required for their chosen topic
Documents to prepare
- A curriculum vitae of maximum 5 pages including the names and contact details of 3 referees, one of whom must have supervised your PhD dissertation
- A writing sample of previous academic or research writing, ideally from your PhD dissertation
- Academic transcripts for your Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees. Certified copies are requested from successful candidates before confirmation
- A letter of motivation explaining your interest in the topic and the programme, and how your training and experience position you for it
- A copy of your national ID or passport
How to apply
- Review the eleven research topics on the Africa Climate Collaborative fellowship page and identify the one that matches your PhD discipline
- Prepare the five required documents, naming the referee who supervised your PhD among the three referees on your CV
- Submit a complete application through the programme application form before 29 October 2026 at 23:00 South African Standard Time, clearly indicating the single topic you are applying to
Selection process
- Applications are assessed against the requirements of the chosen research topic and its supervisory team
- Shortlisted candidates progress through the University of Cape Town recruitment process
- Successful candidates provide certified transcript copies before the fellowship is confirmed
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Climate Reanalysis, NERSC Bergen, Three Years
A full time three year postdoctoral research appointment in Climate Reanalysis at Bergen, Norway, with the vacancy closing 27 October 2026 and the position starting 1 March 2027. Salary is based on qualifications and the route carries no nationality restriction.
Questions applicants ask
How many fellowships are on offer?
Ten fully funded places across eleven research topics, each linked to a named UCT supervisor or supervisory team.
Can I apply to more than one topic?
No. Each candidate may apply to only one of the listed topics, and multiple applications may result in disqualification.
I did my PhD outside Africa. Can I still apply?
Yes, if you are a citizen of an African country. The call states that African applicants who reside outside the continent are welcome.
Is there an application fee?
No. Applications go through the University of Cape Town application form for the programme at no cost.
Important disclaimer
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