African Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowships in Climate and Development 2026

Applications are open for the African Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowships in Climate and Development 2026, offering 12 fully funded opportunities for African scholars to undertake doctoral training at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

The fellowship is offered through the Africa Climate Collaborative, hosted by the African Climate and Development Initiative at the University of Cape Town. The programme brings together climate expertise, research, innovation and development initiatives to strengthen the next generation of African climate leaders and researchers.

The four year doctoral programme is designed for aspiring researchers who want to contribute to solutions for Africa’s most pressing climate and development challenges. It combines structured academic training with independent doctoral research and supervision, giving fellows the opportunity to generate evidence that can contribute to policy, practice and sustainable development.

About the Fellowship

The African Climate Collaborative is developing a doctoral training pathway that connects education, research, innovation and employment opportunities within Africa’s emerging green economy.

The PhD in Climate and Development is a four year programme. During the first year, fellows complete structured pre doctoral coursework designed to provide interdisciplinary knowledge and research preparation. Years two through four focus on independent thesis research under expert supervision, alongside doctoral skills development.

The research topics cover different aspects of climate and development in Africa. Depending on the selected topic, applicants may need academic backgrounds and skills in areas such as climate adaptation, environmental governance, development studies, geography, education, sustainability science, hydrology, water resources, environmental science, engineering, coastal science or related disciplines.

Fellowship Benefits

• Fully funded four year doctoral fellowship

• R315,000 allocated for stipend and fees

• Up to R75,000 for relocation, medical insurance, research and other approved costs

• Structured pre doctoral coursework during the first year

• Three years of independent doctoral research

• Expert academic supervision

• Doctoral skills training

• Opportunity to conduct research addressing climate and development challenges in Africa

• Opportunity to generate evidence that can inform policy and practice

• Access to an interdisciplinary climate and development research environment

• Support for successful fellowship applicants during the UCT PhD admission process

Programme Structure

Year 1

Fellows undertake structured pre doctoral coursework designed to develop the interdisciplinary knowledge, research capabilities and doctoral preparation required for climate and development research.

Years 2 to 4

Fellows undertake independent thesis research under supervision while continuing doctoral skills training. The research is expected to make a meaningful contribution to knowledge and address relevant climate and development challenges.

Research Areas

The fellowship offers 19 research topics, each connected to a specific supervisor or supervisory team. Topics span different dimensions of climate and development and may involve disciplines such as:

• Climate change adaptation and development

• Urban climate governance

• Environmental governance

• Human geography

• Development studies

• Urban studies and planning

• Sustainability science

• Climate and environmental education

• Hydrology and water resources

• Environmental science

• Geography and geographic information systems

• Earth and climate sciences

• Coastal and estuarine science

• Environmental and civil engineering

Applicants should review the official research topic descriptions carefully because each topic has its own preferred academic background, research skills and disciplinary requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be citizens of an African country.

• African citizens currently residing outside Africa may also apply.

• Applicants must hold a completed Master’s degree.

• The Master’s degree must be in a discipline relevant to climate and development in Africa.

• Applicants must meet the specific disciplinary requirements for their selected research topic.

• Applicants must be under 35 years of age as of 1 February 2027.

• Each applicant may apply to only one of the 19 available research topics.

• Applicants should have academic or research experience relevant to their selected topic.

• Successful fellowship applicants must subsequently apply for and be accepted into a PhD programme at the University of Cape Town.

• Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

• Applicants with lived experience of displacement or disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Required Application Materials

• Curriculum Vitae of no more than five pages

• Names and contact details of three referees included in the CV

• One referee must have supervised the applicant’s Master’s dissertation

• Previous academic or research writing sample, preferably from the Master’s dissertation

• Academic transcripts for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees

• Letter of motivation explaining interest in the selected research topic and programme

• Explanation of how previous training and experience prepare the applicant for the selected topic

• Copy of national identification document or passport

• Clear indication of the single research topic being applied for

Successful applicants will later be required to provide certified copies of academic documents before confirmation of the fellowship.

Selection Considerations

Applications are expected to demonstrate a strong academic background and a clear fit with the selected research topic. The applicant’s previous training, research experience, writing ability and suitability for the disciplinary requirements of the proposed topic will be important.

Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest in climate and development challenges relevant to Africa and ensure that their motivation is closely connected to the specific research topic they select.

Because each research topic has its own disciplinary requirements and supervisory team, applicants should carefully examine the topic descriptions before submitting an application.

How to Apply

1. Review the African Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowship information and the 19 available research topics.
2. Identify one research topic that matches your academic background, research interests and skills.
3. Confirm that you meet the citizenship, age and Master’s degree requirements.
4. Prepare a CV of no more than five pages, including three referees and their contact details.
5. Prepare a suitable academic or research writing sample.
6. Obtain Bachelor’s and Master’s academic transcripts.
7. Write a motivation letter explaining your interest in the selected topic and the Climate and Development doctoral programme.
8. Prepare a copy of your national ID or passport.
9. Clearly indicate only one research topic in your application.
10. Submit the complete application through the designated African Climate Collaborative application process before the deadline.