Call for Applications: Postgraduate Research Scholarships – Mineral Law in Africa, 2026

15 Sep 2025 | By Hanri Mostert
15 Sep 2025 | By Hanri Mostert

Call for Applications: Postgraduate Research Scholarship – Mineral Law in Africa

 

The SARChI Research Chair: Mineral Law in Africa (MLiA) at the University of Cape Town invites applications for a one-year full-time PhD Research Scholarship (renewable for a further two years, subject to performance and funding outcomes). Furthermore the Chair is also offering a one-year full-time LLM Research Scholarship, renewable for a further one year, subject to performanc and funding outcomes).

 

PhD-Scholarship Package

  • Value: Up to R220 000 per annum (comprising an NRF grantholder-linked scholarship plus top-up funding from MLiA).
  • Duration: One year, renewable for a further two years subject to satisfactory progress and funding availability.
  • Start Date: December 2025 (with temporary part-time assistantship pending NRF outcome).

LLM-Scholarship Package

  • Value: Up to R170 000 per annum (comprising an NRF grantholder-linked scholarship plus top-up funding from MLiA).
  • Duration: One year, renewable for a further one year subject to satisfactory progress and funding availability.
  • Start Date: December 2025 (with temporary part-time assistantship pending NRF outcome).

Conditions of Awards

  • Full-time residence in Cape Town required.
  • Based at the Faculty of Law, working from the offices of the SARChI: MLiA.
  • Office hours: 09h00 – 16h00 daily.
  • No concurrent paid or voluntary work outside of the SARChI: MLiA.
  • Active participation in the Chair’s research and teaching deliverables, events, and publications.
  • Presentation of research at the annual MLiA Colloquium (candidates must budget approx. R10 000 for travel).
  • Submission of a satisfactory PhD research proposal within the Faculty’s required timeframe.

 

Benefits

  • Mentorship by Prof. Hanri Mostert and the MLiA team.
  • Integration into a vibrant research community with opportunities to contribute to high-impact scholarship.
  • Access to MLiA’s facilities and participation in its activities.

 

Eligibility

  • Acceptance into the PhD or Masters (research) programme of the Faculty of Law, UCT.
  • Application to the NRF for a SARChI grantholder-linked scholarship (using the Chair’s project ID).
  • Strong academic record and a research topic aligned with mineral, energy, or property law in Africa.

 

Application Process

Applicants must:

 

  1. Apply to the UCT Faculty of Law for admission to the PhD or Masters (Research) programme.
  2. Apply to the SARChI: MLiA for a conditional award of scholarship subject to the outcome of (3) below, submitting their interest directly to the Chair with a brief research outline, CV and a three-page writing sample from a previously submitted research task or publication.
  3. Once approved for (1) and (2) above, apply to the NRF for a SARChI grantholder-linked scholarship with the support fo the SARChI: MLiA

 

Closing date: 30 September 2025

For queries, please contact:

Ms Ruegshana Ederies

Email: Ruegshana.Ederies@uct.ac.za (edited)