Postgraduate Canon Collins Trust

Canon Collins RMTF Scholarship

The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarship funds postgraduate study at South African universities in Justice, Education and Humanities - open to nationals of 10 southern African countries pursuing Master's or PhD research with a focus on social change.

Amount:
Between R20,000 and R100,000 per year (depending on circumstances)
Deadline:
2 September 2026
Duration:
Master's: up to 2 years. PhD: up to 3 years.
Renewable:
Yes

Eligible Fields of Study

Canon Collins Trust supports students in the following disciplines

Climate Justice
Law
Economics
Politics
Education Policy and Practice
Literature
History
Anthropology
Arts and Humanities

Eligibility Requirements

  • National of, or refugee status in, one of: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland (eSwatini), Zambia or Zimbabwe
  • Studying or applying for a Master's or PhD at a South African university
  • Full-time, part-time, or distance learning all eligible
  • Completed (or completing in 2026) a good first degree - minimum second class upper division or equivalent
  • Applying in one of the three eligible research areas: Justice, Education or Humanities
  • Application materials must be entirely the applicant's original work - AI-generated content disqualifies the application

What's Included

  • Annual scholarship between R20,000 and R100,000 (depending on circumstances)
  • Tuition contribution
  • Living costs contribution
  • Membership of the Canon Collins community of scholars
  • Mentorship and networking events
  • Recognition within the social change and human rights research community

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Canon Collins Trust bursary application

  1. 1

    Visit canoncollins.org and review the scholarship pages

  2. 2

    Confirm your research falls within Justice, Education or Humanities

  3. 3

    Complete the online application form

  4. 4

    Write your application entirely yourself - do NOT use AI tools to generate or edit any part

  5. 5

    Upload your academic transcripts, ID/passport, research proposal and references

  6. 6

    Submit before the closing date

  7. 7

    Wait for shortlisting and interview

Required Documents

  • 📄 Certified ID copy or passport
  • 📄 Academic transcripts for all previous qualifications
  • 📄 Degree certificate (or expected completion letter)
  • 📄 Research proposal (Master's/PhD)
  • 📄 Two academic references
  • 📄 Motivation letter (entirely your own work)
  • 📄 CV

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries' nationals can apply for Canon Collins?
Nationals of, or those with refugee status in, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini (Swaziland), Zambia or Zimbabwe.
Which fields does Canon Collins fund?
Only three areas: Justice (including Climate Justice, Law, Economics, Politics), Education policy and practice, and Humanities (Literature, History, Anthropology, Arts). MBAs, medical, sports and applied sciences are explicitly NOT eligible.
How much funding does Canon Collins provide?
Between R20,000 and R100,000 per year, depending on your circumstances. Master's students receive up to 2 years of funding; PhD students up to 3 years.
Can I use AI tools to write my Canon Collins application?
No. Canon Collins explicitly prohibits AI-generated or AI-edited content. Any application found to contain AI-generated text is immediately disqualified - write everything yourself.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 2 September 2026

Apply on Canon Collins Trust's official site

Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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