African Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowships in Climate and Development 2026

The African Climate Collaborative is inviting applications for 12 fully funded PhD fellowships for its four year doctoral training programme in Climate and Development at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. The programme is designed to develop a new generation of African scholars capable of addressing major climate and development challenges affecting the continent.

The doctoral programme combines structured academic training with independent research and doctoral skills development. Fellows will spend the first year undertaking structured pre doctoral coursework before progressing to three years of supervised thesis research. Each fellowship is connected to a specific research topic and supervisory team at the University of Cape Town.

The programme brings together research across climate science, development, environmental governance, infrastructure, energy, biodiversity, agriculture, fisheries, urban development, education and other areas connected to climate and development in Africa. Applicants are required to select one research topic that matches their academic background and interests.

About the Fellowship

The African Climate Collaborative PhD Fellowship provides an opportunity for qualified African graduates to undertake doctoral research addressing climate and development challenges at the University of Cape Town.

The programme consists of two main stages. During the first year, fellows undertake structured pre doctoral coursework designed to provide advanced academic and research preparation. Years two to four focus on independent thesis research under supervision, alongside continued doctoral skills training.

There are 12 fellowships available, with each fellowship connected to a defined research topic and supervisory team. Applicants must carefully review the available topics because the required academic background and research skills differ from one topic to another.

Research areas include climate adaptation, urban governance, water infrastructure, energy transitions, biodiversity, sustainable construction, climate modelling, fisheries, smallholder agriculture, education and innovation systems. The programme supports interdisciplinary approaches that connect climate challenges with social, economic, environmental and technological dimensions.

Fellowship Benefits

• Fully funded four year PhD fellowship

• One year of structured pre doctoral coursework

• Three years of supervised thesis research

• Doctoral skills training throughout the programme

• Research supervision from University of Cape Town academics

• Fellowship linked to a defined research topic and supervisory team

• Assistance with the University of Cape Town PhD admission application for successful fellowship applicants

• Opportunity to undertake research addressing major climate and development challenges in Africa

• Access to an interdisciplinary academic research environment

Research Areas

The fellowship includes a range of research topics across climate and development. Examples of the areas covered include:

• Climate adaptation and urban governance

• Flooding, health and urban inequality

• Climate resilient water infrastructure

• Energy transitions and electricity governance

• Sustainable concrete technology

• Climate informed energy systems

• Biodiversity monitoring and ecological change

• Electric cooking and climate compatible innovation

• Climate and development education

• Climate resilient fisheries

• Smallholder agricultural resilience

• Remote sensing and geospatial data science

• Climate modelling and quantitative analysis

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a citizen of an African country

• African applicants living outside Africa are also eligible

• Must be under 35 years of age as of February 1, 2027

• Must hold a completed Master's degree in a discipline relevant to climate and development in Africa

• Master's discipline must match the academic requirements of the selected research topic

• Must apply to only one of the 19 listed research topics

• Must be prepared to apply for and secure admission to a PhD at the University of Cape Town if selected

• Must demonstrate academic preparation relevant to the proposed research topic

• 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

• At least one referee must have supervised the applicant's Master's dissertation

• Academic or research writing sample, preferably from the Master's dissertation

• Bachelor's academic transcript

• Master's academic transcript

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

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

• Copy of national identification document or passport

How to Apply

1. Review the African Climate Collaborative PhD fellowship information and examine the available research topics.
2. Identify one research topic that matches your academic background, research interests and skills.
3. Carefully review the disciplinary background and research requirements for the selected topic.
4. Prepare a CV of no more than five pages, including the contact details of three referees.
5. Prepare a suitable academic or research writing sample, preferably from your Master's dissertation.
6. Obtain your Bachelor's and Master's academic transcripts.
7. Write a motivation letter explaining your interest in the programme and selected research topic and demonstrating how your training and experience prepare you for the project.
8. Prepare a copy of your national ID or passport.
9. Submit the complete application and clearly indicate the single research topic for which you are applying.