The Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) is inviting applications for 12 fully funded PhD fellowships in Climate and Development. This prestigious four-year doctoral training programme is designed to develop the next generation of African researchers tackling critical climate, biodiversity, energy, water, governance, and sustainable development challenges across the continent. The fellowship is exclusively open to African citizens, including those currently living outside Africa. Applications close on 15 October 2026 at 23:00 SAST. About the PhD fellowship programme The ACC PhD Fellowship combines structured academic training with independent research, providing scholars with interdisciplinary skills and expert supervision. Each fellowship is linked to a specific research project and supervisory team. The programme follows a four-year structure: Year 1: Structured pre-doctoral coursework in Climate and Development. Years 2–4: Independent PhD research alongside doctoral skills development. 12 fully funded fellowships available across priority climate and development themes. Successful candidates will join a vibrant community of researchers working on solutions to Africa’s most pressing environmental and development issues. Eligibility criteria Applicants must meet all of the following requirements before applying: Be a citizen of an African country. Hold a completed Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the selected research topic. Be under 35 years of age on 1 February 2027. Apply for only one research topic from the available list. Meet the disciplinary requirements specified for the chosen project. Obtain admission to a PhD programme at the University of Cape Town if selected. The programme particularly encourages applications from women and applicants with lived experience of displacement or disability. Research areas available The fellowship covers 19 specialised research topics, from which applicants may select one project. Areas include: Climate adaptation and urban resilience Water governance and infrastructure Energy transitions and electricity governance Climate-compatible education Biodiversity conservation and remote sensing Fisheries and blue bioeconomies Smallholder climate resilience Sustainable concrete and urbanisation Hydrology and nature-based solutions Business climate adaptation Chinese power finance and African development Each project is supervised by leading academics with expertise in climate science, engineering, economics, governance, ecology, education, and environmental policy. Fellowship benefits Selected fellows will receive comprehensive support throughout the doctoral programme, including: Full funding for a 4-year PhD programme Structured doctoral coursework during the first year Expert academic supervision Advanced research and doctoral skills training Participation in an interdisciplinary climate research community Opportunities to contribute to high-impact African climate and development research The programme is designed to strengthen African research leadership while addressing policy-relevant climate challenges. Required application documents Applicants must submit a complete application containing: DocumentRequirementCurriculum VitaeMaximum 5 pages with 3 refereesWriting SamplePreferably from the Master’s dissertationAcademic TranscriptsBachelor’s and Master’s transcriptsLetter of MotivationInterest in the programme and chosen topicIdentificationNational ID or passport Incomplete applications may not be considered. How to strengthen your application Competitive applicants should demonstrate a clear alignment between their Master’s training and their selected research topic. A strong motivation letter should explain how previous academic experience, research interests, and long-term career goals contribute to climate and development solutions in Africa. Applicants should also ensure their writing sample showcases strong analytical and research capabilities, while their CV highlights publications, fieldwork, technical skills, or policy engagement where relevant. Application deadline Fellowships available: 12 Programme duration: 4 years Eligibility: African citizens only Application deadline: 15 October 2026, 23:00 SAST Applicants may submit only one application to a single research topic. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.