GEM Elite scholarships

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About the GEM scholarships

The GEM Elite doctoral scholarships are full-time doctoral scholarships, valued at R200 000 per year for three years.

The recruitment of full-time PhDs for 2027 will take place during June/July of 2026. Update application information will be posted on 15 June 2026.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for a scholarship:

  • A candidate must meet the minimum criteria for admission to a PhD programme at Stellenbosch University. This requires a master's degree in the relevant discipline.
  • The bursaries are open to South African citizens and foreign nationals. Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged South African citizens.
  • Candidates must have achieved a minimum mark of 70% to be eligible for the GEM Elite Scholarships.
  • Only applications in one of the Faculty's Researc​h Themes (will be posted on 15 June) will be considered.
     

There are limited scholarships available.  Submission of an application, even if you meet all of the criteria, does not guarantee funding.

The final alloc​ation of scholarships is made at the discretion of the Graduate School governing board and is subject to funding availability; and where the Faculty is able to appoint a suitable supervisor.

 Call for applications open on 15 June 2026.

For additional funding opportunities, consult Stellenbosch University's Postgraduate Funding Office