The Harry Crossley Foundation offers scholarships for academically outstanding Master’s and PhD students at specific South African universities, primarily Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town. The application deadline for the 2026 academic year is September 30, 2025.
Eligibility criteria
To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Employment status: At the University of Cape Town, applicants for the Research Fellowship cannot be employed for more than 20 hours per week during 2025.
Citizenship: South African citizens and permanent residents are given preference, but international students may also apply.
Academic excellence: Candidates must have a minimum aggregate of 70% in their most recently completed degree.
Fields of study: Most fields of study are eligible, but Theology and Political Science are generally excluded.
Study level: The scholarships are for postgraduate research at the Master’s and Doctoral levels. Students pursuing structured Master’s degrees with a thesis component of less than 50% are typically not eligible.
Research project: A research project outline is a required component of the application.
Scholarship value and duration
For the 2026 academic year, the scholarship values are:
- Master’s: R150,000 per year for up to two years.
- Doctoral: R160,000 per year for up to three years.
Scholarships are renewable for an additional year based on satisfactory academic progress.
How to apply
Application procedures can vary slightly depending on the specific partner institution.
University of Cape Town (UCT): A UCT fellowship application involves submitting a single PDF containing an application form, a one-page letter of application, academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae (one page), and two academic reference letters. Applicants must also provide proof of admission or application for their intended department.
Stellenbosch University: Submit your application before the September 30, 2025, deadline by visiting the university’s research and innovation funding office or contacting them via email.
Further details
Specific application links and full details are available on the respective partner universities’ websites, often through their Postgraduate Funding Offices.
In addition to financial support, the scholarship may include opportunities for personal development.
The Harry Crossley Foundation and its sister fund, the Doris Crossley Foundation, primarily fund education and research projects at various institutions in the Cape Town area.
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