Apply for the Fully-Funded Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) PhD Fellowship Programme

Category

Opportunity

Country

South Africa

Pillar

Health Ecosystems

We are pleased to announce the Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) PhD Fellowship Programme, offered by the University of Cape Town (UCT), under the Africa Health Collaborative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

This four-year doctoral fellowship is designed to build Africa’s next generation of health researchers and leaders, supporting talented doctoral candidates whose work is grounded in community needs and responsive to the realities of health systems in low-resource and underserved settings.

Fellowship Strategic Priority Themes

The Fellowship supports doctoral research aligned with HFSA’s strategic priority themes, including:

• Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC)
• Health Systems Strengthening
• Youth Empowerment in Health
• Public Health & Health Policy
• Health Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Health Economics
• Mental Health & Addiction Care
• Emergency & Family Medicine
• Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Community Engagement & Health Promotion

Fellows propose original research in one or more of these areas.

Leadership and knowledge translation: Beyond the doctoral research itself, Fellows are expected to translate their findings into policy-relevant outputs, including a final policy brief, and to contribute to sustainable health system transformation across Africa.

Benefits

This is a fully funded, four-year doctoral fellowship. Subject to approved budgets, selected Fellows will receive:

• Tuition support: Tuition and international student fees covered for the duration of the Fellowship.
• Living and accommodation support: Accommodation support and a living allowance.
• Health and wellbeing coverage: Student medical cover and immigration/visa-related cost support.
• Research resources: Once-off laptop and equipment support, plus funding for research costs including fieldwork and dissemination.
• Professional development: short courses, research methodology training, and leadership development training.
• Travel support: Conference and research travel support, plus economy-class travel for eligible Fellows residing outside Cape Town.
• Mentorship and network: Formal mentorship beyond the academic supervisor, and membership in the HFSA Fellows Network.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria to be considered for the HFSA PhD Fellowship:

• Be a South African citizen, or an alumnus/alumna of an Africa Health Collaborative partner institution
• Be registered, or eligible for registration, for a PhD programme at the University of Cape Town
• Commit to full-time or structured part-time doctoral study for the duration of the four-year Fellowship (part-time work not exceeding 20 hours/week is permitted alongside the Fellowship)
• Demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential, including prior academic achievement
• Propose a research topic aligned with one or more of HFSA’s strategic priority themes
• Provide academic references and evidence of supervisor support as part of the assessment process

Preference will be given to:
Women, youth (under age 35), persons living with disabilities, candidates from historically disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, and applicants who demonstrate financial need, leadership potential, and a commitment to implementation-focused or community-engaged research.

Why Study with HFSA at the University of Cape Town

• Strategic institutional partnership: HFSA is implemented through UCT’s Department of Family, Community and Emergency Care, as part of a broader partnership between UCT and the Mastercard Foundation through the Africa Health Collaborative.
• Community-grounded research focus: Every Fellowship is grounded in the realities of low-resource and underserved health systems, rather than abstract or purely academic inquiry.
• Beyond the dissertation: Fellows gain access to formal mentorship beyond their academic supervisor, leadership development opportunities, and a peer network through the HFSA Fellows Network.
• Policy impact: The programme prioritizes research capable of generating practical solutions and influencing policy and practice, not just academic output.

How to Apply

Applying for the HFSA PhD Fellowship is a two-part process:

Part One: University Academic Application

Apply directly to UCT for doctoral study and placement before submitting an HFSA Fellowship application, as HFSA does not manage or process academic applications. Applications are submitted and tracked via the official UCT postgraduate online application system. Applicants requiring accommodation should also follow UCT Student Housing procedures, and international applicants can seek support from UCT’s International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO).

Part Two: HFSA Fellowship Application

Once your UCT application has been submitted:

1. Complete the official HFSA PhD Fellowship Application Form, ensuring the research proposal aligns with HFSA’s priority themes and proof of UCT application is attached.
2. Prepare supporting documents as a single PDF, including:
   • Certified copy of ID or passport
   • Academic transcripts and qualifications
   • Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)
   • Research proposal (maximum 5 pages)
   • Proof of UCT application or registration
   • Supervisor confirmation or support letter (if available)
   • Two academic referee reports (submitted directly by referees)
   • Proof of funding (if applicable)
   • Proof of address (not older than 3 months)
3. Submit your completed application electronically to FACE.Research@uct.ac.za with the subject line “HFSA PhD Application.”

Program Dates

Fellowship duration: up to four years, subject to satisfactory academic progress, continued UCT registration, and availability of funds. Continuation of funding is reviewed annually and is not automatic.

Application Deadline: Saturday, 31 October 2026 at 23:59 SAST

Interviews (if shortlisted): November 2026

Queries
Email: FACE.Research@uct.ac.za

Download the Fellowship’s Application Guidelines and Terms of Reference

Important note: Applications must include all required supporting documents; late or incomplete applications will not be considered. The University of Cape Town reserves the right to cancel incomplete or late applications, amend the conditions of the Fellowship, or make no awards at all.

This programme is implemented by the University of Cape Town’s Department of Family, Community and Emergency Care under the Africa Health Collaborative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.