ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 for South African women Researchers.

Application Deadline: 15 April 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – Postdoctoral Fellowship. The ICGEB-SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Research Foundation will support South African women researchers holding a PhD degree, in Biotechnology or a related discipline, having outstanding ability, and who will perform hypothesis-driven research.

The SAWBP programme promotes the interaction and mobility of South African women Biotechnology researchers and the ICGEB community, including mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India. Proposed research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, Biopesticides and Virology.

The Fellowships comprise a very attractive package:

Immersion in a top class international scientific environment

Two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship at ICGEB Cape Town

Applying the latest techniques and methodologies to the applicant’s chosen research topic

Opportunities for mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and complementary skills

Eligibility

Female applicants only.

Only South African citizens and South African Permanent Residents with a valid South African ID number may apply.

Preference will be given to Black and disabled applicants.

Financial support

Duration: 2 years

Fellowship package:

Non-taxable stipend: ZAR 320 000 per annum

Research costs: ZAR 50 000 per annum

Additional mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India, will be provided.

Application process

Applicants interested in the ICGEB-SAWBP programme should apply under the NRF Postdoctoral Grants (indicating ‘ICGEB’ as the institution of choice).

In addition, further criteria and eligibility requirements are noted in the NRF Postdoctoral Fellowships Framework ( accessible on the NRF website)

How to Apply

A letter of endorsement from the ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader must be submitted with the application. Please note that the written statement from the ICGEB Group Leader you have contacted and who is willing to support your project is mandatory to apply.

The Principal Investigator/Group Leader at the chosen ICGEB Cape Town laboratory should be contacted in advance to discuss the proposed research project. ICGEB Cape Town group lists.

Proposed research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Biopesticides, Plant Systems Biology, and Virology.

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CANON COLLINS RMTF SCHOLARSHIPS 2025 FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY IN SOUTH AFRICA (FULLY FUNDED)

Application Deadline: 22 July, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2025 Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships. Canon Collins Trust in partnership with Ros Moger and Terry Furlong group invite applications for the postgraduate study in South Africa 2025.

Canon Collins Trust in partnership with RMTF seek to support exceptional individuals who are committed to social justice in southern Africa and for whom a postgraduate qualification is an essential tool in working to create an open and just society.

In 2025, we will be making awards only to those studying in three areas:

1. Justice, which includes Climate Justice, Law, Economics and Politics

2. Education policy and practice

3. Humanities, which includes Literature, History, Anthropology and the Arts

Please only apply if your programme of study falls into one of these disciplines.

Eligibility Requirements

In addition, to be considered for a scholarship under this programme you must:

be a national of, or have refugee status in, one of the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia

be normally resident in one of the above countries

be in possession of a good first degree (minimum second class, upper division or equivalent) or about to graduate in the year of application

be studying or applying to study at a South African university

Benefits

Canon Collins RMTF will provide funding for up to a maximum of two years for Masters and three years for PhD. The value of the scholarship package will range from R20,000 to R100,000 depending on student circumstances. We support both full and part-time study and will consider applications from those who wish to study by distance learning.

Canon Collins RMTF also organise an annual conference for current scholars, and hold several smaller events throughout the year. Scholarship holders are expected to participate in these activities and to become part of and contribute to our network.

How to apply

Applications are now open. Best of luck! Please follow us on social media @canoncollinstrust and subscribe to the Scholarship Alert for helpful guides to hack your application.

Please get your application in as soon as possible as late applications will not be considered.

Your deadline is 22 July 4pm SAST.

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