ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme PhD Fellowship 2027 (Funded)

Overview

The ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme (SAWBP) PhD Fellowship 2027 is run in partnership with the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. It supports South African women researchers who plan to study for a PhD in biotechnology at the ICGEB Cape Town Component, starting in early 2027. The programme promotes interaction and mobility between South African women biotechnology researchers and the ICGEB community, including mobility support for research at other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India.

Proposed doctoral projects must be innovative and fall within one of the Cape Town Component's macro areas of research: infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, bioinformatics, plant systems biology and virology.

What you get

The fellowship is a three-year PhD fellowship that covers tuition and a stipend. Fellows apply the latest techniques and methods to their chosen research topic, get opportunities for mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and complementary skills, and work in a top-class international scientific research environment.

Who can apply

Only female applicants may apply, and only South African citizens and permanent residents with a valid South African ID number. Preference is given to Black and disabled applicants.

Requirements

Applicants need an MSc degree, or a letter from their supervisor confirming that they intend to submit their MSc thesis. Proof of the MSc degree is required at the time of award, before the fellowship begins.

How to apply

Applicants send an email to the programme containing a copy of their South African ID, a CV, a detailed project proposal, a letter of endorsement from the ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader, and proof of the MSc degree or the supervisor's letter.

Key dates

The application deadline is October 20, 2026. The fellowship starts in early 2027.