Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships 2027 | Fully Funded Postgraduate Study in South Africa
The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships 2027 are now open for applications, offering an outstanding opportunity for talented students from Southern Africa who want to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree at a South African university. Designed to support future leaders committed to social justice, equality, and sustainable development, the scholarship provides financial assistance, leadership opportunities, and access to an international academic network.
Higher education can be expensive, especially for postgraduate students pursuing advanced research. The Canon Collins Trust understands these challenges and has continued to invest in bright individuals whose work has the potential to create positive change across Southern Africa.
If you are passionate about education, justice, human rights, public policy, or the humanities, this scholarship could help you achieve your academic and professional goals while making a meaningful impact in your community.
About the Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships
The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships are awarded annually to exceptional students who demonstrate strong academic ability and a long-term commitment to social justice.
The scholarship supports postgraduate study at recognised South African universities and aims to develop future leaders who will contribute to solving major social, educational, political, environmental, and economic challenges facing Southern Africa.
Funding is available for both Master’s and PhD programmes, with continued support depending on satisfactory academic progress.
Unlike many scholarships that focus solely on academic performance, the Canon Collins Trust also values leadership, community engagement, and a genuine commitment to improving society.
Fields of Study Covered
For the 2027 academic year, scholarships will only be awarded to students studying within the following disciplines:
Justice
This broad category includes subjects such as:
- Climate Justice
- Law
- Economics
- Politics
- Human Rights
- Public Policy
Education Policy and Practice
Applicants pursuing research or postgraduate study aimed at improving educational systems and learning opportunities are encouraged to apply.
Humanities
Eligible humanities disciplines include:
- Literature
- History
- Anthropology
- Arts
- Cultural Studies
- Related social science fields
Applicants whose programmes clearly fall outside these areas—including MBAs, Medicine, Sports Science, or Applied Sciences—will not be considered.
Scholarship Benefits
The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships 2027 provide generous financial support to help scholars focus on their studies.
Successful applicants may receive:
- Funding for up to two years for a Master’s degree
- Funding for up to three years for a PhD (subject to continued academic progress)
- Scholarship awards ranging from R20,000 to R100,000, depending on individual financial circumstances
- Support for both full-time and part-time study
- Eligibility for approved distance learning programmes
- Access to leadership development opportunities
- Invitations to annual scholar conferences
- Participation in networking events and workshops
- Membership in the Canon Collins alumni and scholar network
Beyond financial assistance, scholars become part of a community of professionals dedicated to creating positive social change across the region.
Who Can Apply?
The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships 2027 are open to applicants who meet all eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of, or hold recognised refugee status in, one of the eligible countries.
- Be ordinarily resident in an eligible country.
- Be applying for or already enrolled in a Master’s or PhD programme at a recognised South African university.
- Meet the required academic qualifications.
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to social justice.
- Pursue research that addresses significant social challenges affecting Southern Africa.
Eligible Countries
Applications are accepted from nationals or recognised refugees residing in the following countries:
- Angola
- Botswana
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Applicants from these countries who meet all academic and eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
Academic Requirements
To qualify, applicants should possess strong academic records.
Master’s Applicants
Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a good Honours degree with a minimum equivalent of a Second Class Upper Division.
PhD Applicants
Applicants must hold (or expect to obtain) a strong Master’s degree.
PhD applicants must also identify a supervisor who has agreed in principle to supervise their proposed research and submit a draft research proposal.
Commitment to Social Justice
One of the most important selection criteria is demonstrated commitment to social justice.
Applicants should have at least two years of active involvement in activities that contribute to improving society.
Examples include:
- Community development projects
- Educational programmes
- Human rights advocacy
- Civil society organisations
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Teaching and mentoring
- Environmental initiatives
- Public service
- Social impact research
- Leadership programmes promoting equality and inclusion
The selection committee values applicants who have already demonstrated leadership through practical community involvement.
Application Process
The scholarship application consists of two stages.
Stage One
Applicants must complete a short online application before the deadline.
During this stage, applicants must upload:
- Degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Valid identification document (passport, driver’s licence, or birth certificate)
Some applicants may also need to submit:
- Proof of refugee status (if applicable)
- Two recent payslips (if employed)
Only complete applications meeting all eligibility requirements will proceed to Stage Two.
Stage Two
Successful Stage One applicants will receive an invitation via email to submit a more detailed application.
Additional documents include:
- Two reference letters
- Draft PhD research proposal (PhD applicants only)
- Sample academic writing (Master’s applicants only)
- Letter of support from the proposed PhD supervisor
Shortlisted applicants will later be invited for interviews before final scholarship decisions are made.
Important Application Timeline
Applicants should take note of the following schedule:
- Stage One Deadline: 14 August 2026
- Application Closing Time: 4:00 PM GMT
- Stage Two Invitations: September 2026
- Interviews: October–November 2026
- Final Results: December 2026
Submitting your application early is strongly recommended, as heavy website traffic close to the deadline may affect online submissions.
Important Notice About Artificial Intelligence
The Canon Collins Trust has introduced a strict policy regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence in scholarship applications.
Applicants must prepare their own application materials.
Using AI writing tools such as ChatGPT or similar platforms to generate or substantially rewrite application responses is not permitted and may result in disqualification.
Applicants may use standard spelling and grammar checking tools, provided these do not generate original content.
Why You Should Apply
The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships 2027 offer much more than financial support.
Successful scholars benefit from:
- Internationally recognised postgraduate education
- Leadership development opportunities
- Professional networking
- Long-term academic support
- Access to influential scholars and professionals
- Opportunities to contribute to social transformation in Southern Africa
If your career goals involve education, public policy, social justice, law, or community development, this scholarship can provide both financial support and valuable professional connections.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their online application through the official scholarship portal.
Official Application Portal:
https://www.gapgrants.com/bslgap/DseatFFX.jsp?BSLSessionStr=20538242
Final Thoughts
The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships 2027 provide an excellent opportunity for talented students committed to creating lasting social impact across Southern Africa. With funding of up to R100,000, support for Master’s and PhD studies, leadership development activities, and access to an inspiring network of scholars, this programme continues to empower future changemakers.
If you meet the eligibility requirements and are passionate about advancing knowledge while contributing to social justice, don’t miss this opportunity to apply before the deadline.
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