The University of the Free State is offering highly-desirable Prestige Bursaries for full-time doctoral study within the research Focus Areas of its Strategic Academic Clusters. Bursaries are offered per Cluster at R180 000 per annum for a maximum of three (3) years, to the most accomplished young and emerging researchers in the country.

General considerations for selection

1. Proposed research of successful applicants will address the overall theme of a Cluster, within one of the Focus Areas of that Cluster.
2. Successful applicants will demonstrate exceptional academic performance and intellectual potential.
3. The selected cohort will reflect the University’s equity and persity imperatives, including those for gender, racial/cultural and intellectual persity.
4. Successful applicants will demonstrate potential to contribute to the creation of knowledge in their future academic career, including person-embodied knowledge in the form of postgraduate research supervision.

Selection criteria and contact details per Cluster are available here

Selection process

The selection process will consist of:

1. Basic paper application screening
2. Shortlist selection by relevant Cluster management
3. Institutional panel interviews

Application details

Applicants must submit the following application package:

1. Completed application form and checklist
2. Motivation letter, articulating the applicant’s career ambitions and scholarly orientation/ motivation, as well as details of her/his major scholarly/ academic accomplishments to date
3. Full Curriculum Vitae (CV)
4. Abbreviated CV (2 pages max)
5. Short research proposal detailing the proposed doctoral research (NOTE: The format, clarity and content of your proposal will serve as an indicator of your ability to conceptualise and plan research, and must include a clear indication of how your proposed research will address the overall theme of the Cluster and Focus Area which you are applying for.) Shortlist candidates will be notified should they be required to submit a full research proposal prior to their interviews.
6. Full transcripts of academic record
7. Copy of Master’s dissertation
8. Copy of ID document (copy of passport in the case of non-South African applicants
9. Signed letters of recommendation from two academic references, including Master’s supervisor (on a letterhead, including full contact details of the reference)
10. Optional: Signed letter of recommendation from current employer (on a letterhead, including full contact details of the reference)

Click here to download the application form

• Electronic submissions (email or facsimile) must reach email vdwesthd@ufs.ac.za by 24 August.
• Original or notarised/ certified hardcopies of all documentation must reach the physical address by 28 August. See application form for the full details

Postal Address:
Attention of Mrs Eleanor van der Westhuizen / Ref: Cluster Prestige Bursary Application
Directorate Research Development – Steyn Annex 310
University of the Free State
PO Box 339
Bloemfontein 9300
South Africa

Physical delivery/ courier address:
Attention of Mrs Eleanor van der Westhuizen / Ref: Cluster Prestige Bursary Application
Room 310
Steyn Annex
University of the Free State Bloemfontein Campus
Bloemfontein
South Africa

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline dates will not be considered.

General enquiries

Contact:
Mrs Eleanor van der Westhuizen
T: +27 (0) 51 4017077
E: vdwesthd@ufs.ac.za