Rhodes University CSSR Bursaries 2026/2027 | How to Apply

RHODES UNIVERSITY CSSR BURSARIES ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION INSTRUCTION

Eligibility

The CSSR is a multi-disciplinary programme funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF). The following eligibility criteria apply for the 2026 funding cycle:

• Applicants must be South African citizens. Citizenship is a non-negotiable prerequisite for all applications.
• For the Postdoctoral Fellowship: Applicants must hold a Doctoral Degree in the Social Sciences awarded within the last five years, or have submitted their thesis and be awaiting final results with the degree to be conferred by the end of 2026. There is no age limit for Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants.
• For Master’s bursaries: Applicants must be registered as full-time Master’s by thesis students. A minimum academic average of 65% in the preceding degree is required, in line with the NRF benchmark for postgraduate funding.
• For PhD bursaries: Funding for continuing PhD students is available to assist towards completion of studies. Prospective PhD applicants are advised to also explore the NRF Doctoral Scholarship programme and other university-wide scholarship initiatives.
• All proposed research must align with the CSSR’s critical research agenda in sexualities and reproduction.

Funding values for the 2027 academic year:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship: R320,000 per annum stipend plus R50,000 for running expenses (total annual value: R370,000)
• Master’s bursary: Historical value of R70,000 per annum. The specific 2026 value should be confirmed through official CSSR communications.
• Support for continuing years is not guaranteed and will depend on satisfactory academic progress during the previous year.

Postdoctoral Fellowship — Additional Application Requirements:

• Applicants must download and complete the official “2027 Postdoc Application Form” directly from the Rhodes University website.
• A written assurance from the host institution (Rhodes University) confirming its commitment to supporting the fellow during their tenure is required.
• The application deadline for the 2027 Postdoctoral Fellowship was 14 August 2026. Applicants should monitor the official CSSR page for the 2027 cycle deadline.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents to cssradmin@ru.ac.za:

• Curriculum vitae
• Full academic transcript
• Certified copy of ID (certification must be done within three months prior to the date of submission)
• A sample of your writing
• A cover letter indicating your interest in studying through CSSR as well as the areas of research in which you are interested
• Academic references (one for Masters; two for PhD and post-doctoral fellow, one of whom must be the current supervisor)
• A draft research proposal (2–5 pages for Master’s applicants; 4–10 pages for Doctoral applicants), signed and dated by both the applicant and the proposed supervisor
• Testimonial form completed by the supervisor using the official template provided within the application portal

Important — NRF Endorsement Process: If you are accepted by the CSSR to apply for NRF bursary funding, you will be required to submit a separate application through the official NRF Connect System (nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za). The CSSR acts as an internal gatekeeper — only candidates endorsed by the CSSR’s internal merit-review panel will be nominated by Rhodes University for NRF funding consideration. The NRF call for applications typically opens in April each year. CSSR internal endorsement deadlines typically fall mid-year of the preceding cycle. Endorsement by the CSSR does not guarantee an NRF award, as the final decision rests with the NRF’s own competitive merit review process.

Additional Funding Opportunities: CSSR-affiliated students registered in the Department of Psychology are also eligible to apply for the Ada & Bertie Levenstein Bursary, which funds approximately 25 academically strong students who are also in financial need. The closing date for the Levenstein Bursary 2027 intake was 30 July 2026. Each bursary requires a completely separate application — there is no automatic consideration across programmes. For academic queries, contact Professor Lisa Saville Young in the Department of Psychology.

Important Notice: Rhodes University explicitly warns applicants against using unauthorized “bursary alert” platforms or third-party websites for application forms or guidance, as they may be outdated or fraudulent. Use only official portals at www.ru.ac.za and www.nrf.ac.za. For supplementary information, contact Dr. Ulandi du Plessis at u.duplessis@ru.ac.za.

Application Deadline and Dates

• The verified closing date for the 2026 Postdoctoral Fellowship application was 6 August 2025. The closing date for the NRF submission for the 2026 cycle is approximately 14 August 2026, with the NRF call opening circa April 2026.
• Applicants should monitor the official CSSR bursaries page at www.ru.ac.za for the official 2027 cycle announcement and deadlines.
• Late submissions will not be accepted.

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