Application Deadline: 14 August 2026 (4:00 PM GMT / 16:00 SAST)
Looking to pursue a Master’s or PhD in South Africa with financial support? The Canon Collins Trust, in partnership with the Ros Moger and Terry Furlong (RMTF) Fund, has opened applications for the Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships 2027.
This prestigious scholarship supports talented individuals from Southern Africa who are committed to advancing social justice through higher education. Successful applicants can receive funding of between R20,000 and R100,000 annually, alongside leadership development opportunities and access to a growing network of changemakers.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: South Africa
- Study Level: Master’s and PhD
- Eligible Countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe
- Scholarship Value: R20,000 – R100,000 (depending on financial need and circumstances)
- Study Mode: Full-time, Part-time and Distance Learning
- Duration: Up to 2 years for Master’s, up to 3 years for PhD (continued funding depends on satisfactory academic progress)
- Application Deadline: 14 August 2026 (4:00 PM GMT / 16:00 SAST)
About the Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships
The Canon Collins Trust established this scholarship in partnership with the Ros Moger and Terry Furlong Fund (RMTF) to support future leaders who are passionate about creating a fairer and more equitable society across Southern Africa.
The programme aims to empower students whose postgraduate education will contribute to solving pressing social, educational, economic, environmental and human rights challenges within the region. Beyond financial assistance, scholars become members of the Canon Collins community and gain access to leadership events, networking opportunities and annual conferences.
Eligible Fields of Study
For the 2027 academic year, funding is available only for postgraduate programmes within the following disciplines:
- Justice (including Climate Justice, Law, Economics and Politics)
- Education Policy and Practice
- Humanities (including Literature, History, Anthropology and the Arts)
Applicants whose programmes fall outside these priority fields—including MBAs, Medicine, Sports Science and most Applied Sciences—are generally not eligible.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Funding ranging from R20,000 to R100,000
- Financial support for:
- Up to 2 years of Master’s study
- Up to 3 years of PhD study (subject to satisfactory progress)
- Opportunity to study full-time, part-time or through distance learning
- Invitations to Canon Collins leadership programmes, networking events and annual scholar conferences
- Membership in a strong community of scholars and social justice leaders across Southern Africa.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of, or hold recognised refugee status in:
- Angola
- Botswana
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Be ordinarily resident in one of the eligible countries.
- Be applying for, or already enrolled in, a Master’s or PhD programme at a recognised South African university.
- Hold (or expect to obtain during the application year):
- A strong Honours degree (minimum Second Class Upper or equivalent) for Master’s applicants.
- A good Master’s degree for PhD applicants.
- Demonstrate at least two years of sustained commitment to social justice, community development, advocacy, education, public service, research or related activities.
- Be undertaking research or studies that address significant social justice challenges affecting Southern Africa.
- PhD applicants must identify a supervisor willing to support their proposed research and submit a draft research proposal.
Required Documents
Stage One
Applicants must upload:
- Degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Valid identification (passport, driver’s licence or birth certificate)
Where applicable:
- Proof of refugee status
- Two recent payslips (for employed applicants)
Stage Two (Shortlisted Applicants Only)
Applicants invited to Stage Two will submit:
- Two reference letters
- Draft PhD research proposal (PhD applicants)
- Sample academic writing (Master’s applicants)
- Supervisor support letter (PhD applicants)
Application Process
The selection process consists of two stages:
Stage One
Submit the online application together with all required documents before the deadline.
Stage Two
Applicants who successfully pass Stage One will receive an invitation in September 2026 to complete a more detailed application.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during October–November 2026, while final scholarship decisions are expected by mid-December 2026.
Important Notice
The Canon Collins Trust has made it clear that all application materials must be the applicant’s original work.
The use of generative AI tools to draft or substantially edit scholarship application responses is prohibited and may result in disqualification. Applicants may, however, use standard spelling and grammar checking tools that do not generate content.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 14 August 2026 (4:00 PM GMT / 16:00 SAST).
Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete and submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid technical issues caused by heavy traffic near the deadline.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official Canon Collins Trust scholarship portal.
Application Portal: Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships 2027 Application Page
For additional scholarship information, visit the official Canon Collins Trust.
