The University of Cape Town (UCT) has announced a major doctoral training opportunity through the Africa Climate Collaborative, offering up to 12 fully funded four-year PhD fellowships in Climate and Development. The Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) is designed to support emerging African researchers and future leaders working on climate change and development challenges.
The programme will begin in 2027 and combines structured pre-doctoral coursework with three years of doctoral research. Each fellowship is valued at R390,000 per year, covering a stipend and fees as well as additional support for relocation, medical insurance, research and other eligible costs.
About the Africa Climate Collaborative
The Africa Climate Collaborative is a partnership involving the universities of Cape Town, Cambridge, Ghana and Makerere, together with the Mastercard Foundation. Its broader objective is to develop a strong pipeline of African researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs and thought leaders capable of contributing to green and climate-resilient development across the continent.
At UCT, the initiative is hosted by the African Climate & Development Initiative (ACDI). The new Doctoral Training Programme in Climate and Development will follow a structured model in which students spend their first year undertaking pre-doctoral coursework while developing and defending their PhD proposals.
Why You Should Apply
Benefit
Description
Fully Funded
R390,000 per year for 4 years
Structured Training
Pre-doctoral coursework + research
Career Development
Science communication, writing, grant skills
Interdisciplinary
Social sciences, natural sciences, economics, law, health, engineering
Collaborative
Partnership with Cambridge, Ghana, Makerere
Policy Impact
Research addressing real-world challenges
Fellowship Learning Approach
Component
Description
Pre-doctoral Coursework
Credit-bearing courses in Year 1
Doctoral Research
3 years of independent research
Professional Skills
Science communication, writing, publishing
Mentorship
Supervision from experienced researchers
Collaborative Research
Partnership with non-academic organisations
Skills Developed
Skill
Description
Research Methods
Advanced research training
Science Communication
Conveying evidence to non-academic audiences
Knowledge Brokering
Translating research for policy
Scientific Writing
Journal publishing and thesis writing
Grant Proposal Writing
Securing research funding
Career Development
Post-PhD employment preparation
PhD Programme Structure
Year
Focus
Description
Year 1
Pre-doctoral Training
Credit-bearing courses, proposal development and defence
Yes, with Cambridge, Ghana, Makerere, Mastercard Foundation.
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The UCT Doctoral Training Programme offers a structured pathway for developing advanced research expertise around some of Africa's most pressing climate and development challenges. By combining a four-year funded PhD with coursework, research training, interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific communication and career development, the programme seeks to prepare researchers capable of generating evidence that can influence policy, practice and sustainable development.
The programme is also part of a broader UCT initiative supported by a US$35 million Mastercard Foundation grant, which includes funding for six cohorts of 12 PhD students, each receiving a full scholarship for four years of study.
Best Opportunity For
Category
Suitable
African Researchers
Yes
Climate Change Enthusiasts
Yes
Development Scholars
Yes
Interdisciplinary Researchers
Yes
Early-Career Academics
Yes
PhD Aspirants
Yes
Policy-Minded Researchers
Yes
Competition Level
Category
Level
Overall Competition
High
Selection Difficulty
Competitive
Application Complexity
Medium
CareerFlora Recommendation
Area
Details
Fellowship Value
Excellent
Career Growth
Very High
Application Difficulty
Medium
Apply Early
Strongly Recommended
Final Call-to-Action
Apply for UCT Climate and Development PhD Fellowships 2026 before the deadline.
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