Application Deadline: 19 September 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship. The ICGEB-SAWBP PhD Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation will support South African women researchers intending to study towards a PhD degree, in Biotechnology at the Cape Town Component.
The SAWBP programme promotes the interaction and mobility of South African women Biotechnology researchers and the ICGEB community, including mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India.
Proposed doctoral research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology and Virology.
Eligibility
- Female applicants only.
- Only South African citizens and South African Permanent Residents with a valid South African ID number may apply.
- Preference will be given to Black and disabled applicants.
Benefits
The Fellowships comprise a very attractive package:
- Three-year PhD Fellowship
- Tuition and stipend
- Applying the latest techniques and methodologies to the applicant’s chosen research topic
- Opportunities for mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and complementary skills
- Immersion in a top class international scientific research environment
Duration: 3 years
Tuition fees at University of Cape Town & stipend: ZAR 219 749.00 per year
Stipend: The stipend will be covered from the remaining balance after the student’s university tuition fees are paid for the entire year.
Additional mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India, will be provided.
Application process
Email [email protected] with the following:
- Copy of South African ID
- CV
- Detailed project proposal
- Letter of endorsement from ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader
- Proof of MSc degree or letter confirming intention to submit MSc thesis from supervisor (Note: at time of award, proof of MSc degree is required before commencing Fellowship).
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