Canon Collins (RMTF) Scholarships 2026 For Postgraduate Study In South Africa: Empowering Future Leaders

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The Canon Collins Trust, a celebrated charitable organization committed to social justice and higher education access across southern Africa, offers a transformative funding opportunity: the Canon Collins Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in South Africa. Tailored for ambitious Master’s and PhD students from the region, this programme nurtures future thinkers, activists, and leaders with the potential to drive profound societal change.

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Table of Contents

Overview & Purpose

These scholarships enable postgraduate study at South African universities, offering vital financial support to scholars whose work embodies the principles of justice, education policy, or humanities research. Co-funded by the RMTF (Ros Moger and Terry Furlong) scholarship fund, this initiative aims to strengthen the region’s intellectual capacity by investing in high-potential individuals dedicated to societal transformation.

Fields of Focus

In 2025, scholarship applications are limited to three broad but impactful areas:

Justice — encompassing climate justice, law, economics, and politics
Education policy and practice
Humanities — covering literature, history, anthropology, and the arts

Notably, climate justice is set as a priority area for 2026. Applications in related fields—even in science or applied science—are welcome if they clearly tie back to climate justice objectives.

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Scholarship Value & Duration

Funding Duration: Up to two years for Master’s and PhD candidates, with the possibility to reapply for a third year, contingent on satisfactory progress and academic performance.
Financial Support: Scholarship packages can range from R20,000 to R100,000, tailored according to individual circumstances. Both full-time and part-time study, including distance learning, may be supporte.

Applicant Eligibility

To be considered for these scholarships, applicants must:

Be a national or refugee resident of one of these southern African countries: Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, or Zambia.
Hold—or expect to obtain—a good first degree (minimum second-class, upper division or equivalent).
Be studying or applying to study at a South African university.

Application Requirements & Process

While the scholarship page doesn’t detail every step, it highlights a non-negotiable policy: use of artificial intelligence in any part of the application is strictly prohibited. Any material generated or edited by AI tools (like ChatGPT or Bard) will result in immediate disqualification.

Typically, applicants are expected to:

Complete an online application form found on the Canon Collins website.
Upload key supporting documentation, such as academic transcripts, CV, ID, references, and—for PhD applicants—a research proposal and supervisor’s statement.

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Important Dates & Deadlines

Deadline: Applications close at 3:00 pm GMT on September 2, 2025 .
It is advised to submit early due to high portal traffic near closing. Starting your application well ahead of the deadline can help avoid technical issues or delays.

Community & Engagement

Recipients are not just financial beneficiaries—they also become part of a vibrant scholarly community:

Attendance at an annual scholars’ conference is expected.
Ongoing engagement via smaller events and inclusion in the Canon Collins network enrich the academic and professional journey of each scholar.

Why It Matters

These scholarships are more than a funding opportunity—they are a lifeline for scholars with visions of social transformation. By focusing on justice, education, and the humanities, the Canon Collins Trust amplifies voices and projects aimed at addressing inequality, shaping better governance, and preserving cultural heritage.

The flexible funding structure, inclusive policy for part-time and distance learners, and emphasis on climate justice position the programme as both progressive and deeply relevant to current global challenges.

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Final Thoughts

The Canon Collins Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in South Africa represent a rare chance for southern African scholars to pursue advanced degrees in fields of societal significance, backed by financial support, peer networks, and structured community engagement. If you’re a motivated candidate whose academic pursuit aligns with justice, education, or the humanities, this programme offers not just funding—but a platform to enact meaningful change.

For those reading this with aspirations of applying: start early, ensure your work is wholly original, and align your proposal with the Trust’s values of scholarly excellence and social justice.