The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a Regional Economic Community made up of 16 Member States, namely: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Since it was formed, the SADC has shown unwavering commitment to the advancement of the regional integration agenda, specifically socio-economic development, peace, stability, and security in the region.
The SADC Annual Scholarship was formed in honour of SADC Founders and with the aim of increasing the level of citizens’ awareness of the history of Southern Africa’s liberation, cooperation, and regional integration, as well as recognizing the importance of their contributions to the SADC.
ABOUT THE SADC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) is inviting students to apply for the SADC Annual Scholarship programme for 2024.
The scholarship is awarded each year to students from SADC Member States, for full-time studies towards Masters, Doctoral, Postdoctoral Studies, or Research programmes, in Social Sciences which address the following: historical dimensions of development and peace in the SADC region since colonialism; regional economic and political integration and democracy.
The research scholarship is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who have completed a Master’s degree) and intend to pursue doctoral or post-doctoral research.
MORE ABOUT THE SADC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE, DURATION & SELECTION
5 scholarships will be awarded: 2 scholarships for Doctoral studies and 3 scholarships for Master’s level research.
The scholarships will provide cover for the following expenses, to the value of USD20 000 each (approximately R300 000): tuition fees, economy class return air ticket, housing allowance, health insurance and a monthly living allowance of USD1 000.00 (approximately R15 000) for essential expenses.
The scholarship will run for 12 to 24 months for Masters studies, and 36 to 48 months for PhD studies, depending on the institution.
All applications will be initially screened and judged by the Ministries of Education in all SADC Member States, and thereafter each SADC Member State will submit their top 2 applications to the SADC Secretariat, for adjudication at regional level and selection of the top 5 overall winners.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SADC SCHOLARSHIP
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be a citizen of a SADC Member State (this includes citizens of these countries: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe)
- You must intend on pursuing full-time studies towards a Masters, Doctoral, Postdoctoral Studies or Research programmes at a university in the SADC region
- Masters programme applicants: you must have completed an Undergraduate degree, in a relevant field, at a recognised university
- Masters programme applicants: Male applicants must be 30 years old or younger, and Female applicants must be 35 years old or younger
- Doctoral programme applicants: you must have completed a Masters Degree, in a relevant subject that will allow you to enter into a Doctoral and/or Postdoctoral programme at a university in the SADC region
- Doctoral programme applicants: Male applicants must be 35 years old or younger, and Female applicants must be 40 years old or younger
- You must provide the IELTS (Band 6) certificate or TOEFL (minimum score: 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 80 internet based) for courses in English for applicants from non-native English speaking countries
- You must intend on returning to your country of citizenship after completing your studies
- You must NOT be a SADC Secretariat Staff member or an immediate family member
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SADC SCHOLARSHIP
Download and complete the SADC Scholarship Application Form 2024 (.pdf)
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- Passport or National ID card (certified copy)
- Recent colour photograph (passport-size)
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (with names and contact details of 3 references)
- Academic certificates and transcripts (certified copies)
- Admission letter from a recognised University in the SADC region (copy only)
- 2 letters of reference with contact details
- Essay stating why you have chosen your specific field of study and its importance to the memories of the SADC Founders (maximum 500 words)
Applications must be submitted through the SADC National Contact Points at Member States level. South African students must apply via email to Ms Linda Vuyolwethu Shongwe: [email protected]
Applications must also be submitted to the DALRRD, via email to Mr M Sello Tlhatlha at: [email protected] AND Ms Jacky Smit at: [email protected]
(Insert the words “SADC Scholarship Application 2024” in the email subject line).
Note: students from SADC Member States other than South Africa, can find their relevant SADC National Contact Point here.
CLOSING DATE FOR THE SADC SCHOLARSHIP
30 April.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER
For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) directly:
Contact person 1: Mr Sello Tlhatlha
Tel: 012 919 7159
Email: [email protected]
Contact person 2: Ms Jacky Smit
Tel: 012 319 7019
Email: [email protected]