Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in South Africa 2027

The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships offer a valuable opportunity for postgraduate students to pursue their studies in South Africa. These scholarships aim to support individuals committed to social justice and who are working to address significant challenges in Southern Africa. The program provides funding for Master’s and PhD degrees, with the potential for continued support based on academic progress.

Scholarship Details

The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships offer financial support for up to two years for Master’s students and up to three years for PhD candidates. The scholarship amount can range from R20,000 to R100,000, depending on the student’s individual circumstances. The program is open to both full-time and part-time study, and it also considers applications from students who wish to study through distance learning. Beyond financial aid, scholarship holders are expected to actively participate in an annual conference for current scholars and other smaller events throughout the year. This engagement helps build a network and encourages contributions to the scholarship community.

Areas of Study

For the 2027 academic year, the scholarships will specifically fund postgraduate studies in three key areas:

• Justice: This broad category includes fields such as Climate Justice, Law, Economics, and Politics. Applicants whose research or study focuses on these areas and contributes to social justice are encouraged to apply.
• Education policy and practice: Students looking to advance their knowledge and contribute to improvements in educational policies and practical applications within the education sector are eligible.
• Humanities: This includes disciplines like Literature, History, Anthropology, and the Arts. The focus is on how these fields can be used to explore, understand, and address social justice issues.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships, applicants must meet several criteria. Firstly, they must be a national of, or hold recognized refugee status in, one of the following Southern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. They must also be ordinarily resident in one of these countries.

Furthermore, applicants must be currently enrolled in, or applying for, a Master’s or PhD program at a South African university. Academic qualifications are also important. For Master’s study, applicants need a good Honours degree, typically a Second Class Upper Division or equivalent. For PhD study, a good Master’s degree is required.

A significant aspect of the eligibility criteria is a demonstrated commitment to social justice. Applicants must show at least two years of active engagement in activities that have contributed to addressing social, educational, economic, environmental, cultural, or human rights challenges within their community, country, or region. This engagement can take many forms, such as community initiatives, advocacy, teaching, public service, or work with civil society organizations.

Finally, the proposed course of study or research must contribute to understanding, responding to, or addressing a significant social justice challenge affecting Southern Africa. For PhD applicants, it is also necessary to have identified a supervisor who has agreed in principle to supervise the research, and a draft research proposal must be submitted with the application.

Application Process

Interested candidates must complete and submit a short online application form. The deadline for applications is August 14, 2026, at 4:00 PM SAST. It is important to ensure all required documents and information are included before the submission deadline.

Conclusion

The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships represent a significant opportunity for postgraduate students in Southern Africa who are dedicated to advancing social justice. By supporting studies in critical areas like Justice, Education, and the Humanities, the program aims to foster leaders and researchers who can make a real difference in their communities and regions. Meeting the eligibility requirements, particularly the commitment to social justice and the focus on relevant study areas, is key to a successful application.