The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre and Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Cape Town, are offering two fully funded PhD scholarships for candidates interested in global health, HIV, and public health research. This opportunity is ideal for research-ready candidates who wish to pursue a structured, publication-oriented PhD with strong mentorship, clear academic milestones, and a focus on analytical skill development and research independence. The program is embedded within active, multidisciplinary global health research programmes, providing a rigorous academic environment and opportunities for impactful research.

Funding and Duration: The scholarship offers an annual stipend of €25,000 (R315,000) for up to four years, fully covers tuition fees, and provides a research budget of €31,000. The funding is intended to support tuition and living costs, with the fourth year contingent on satisfactory progress, including manuscript development and thesis write-up.

Eligibility: Applicants must meet University of Cape Town requirements for PhD registration in the Department of Medicine. A completed Master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., MBCHB, public health, psychology, sociology, epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioural science, or related fields) is required. Candidates must have South African citizenship or permanent residency, demonstrated experience in qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods data analysis, and a clear motivation to pursue an academic or research-focused career. Previous peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts in preparation, and experience in applied health research (e.g., HIV, PrEP, mental health, men’s health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, or related areas) are advantageous. Evidence of strong academic writing and conceptual thinking in a writing sample submission is required.

Expectations: Successful candidates are expected to maintain progress toward PhD milestones, contribute to a publication trajectory during the PhD, participate in academic activities (seminars, research meetings), and engage actively with supervision, mentorship, and structured oversight.

Application Process: Applicants must submit a one-page CV, a research concept (one page), a proposed PhD plan (one page), a writing sample, a copy of South African ID, and a certified copy of their Master's certificate via the online REDCap application link. The closing date for applications is 22 February 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Research Environment: The program integrates candidates into established, multidisciplinary research teams with active data collection and publication pipelines. The PhD structure emphasizes regular academic oversight, structured writing support, engagement with interdisciplinary teams, and development of independent analytical and scholarly capacity. This prepares graduates for postdoctoral or research-intensive career pathways.

For more information and to apply, visit the official application link or contact the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation.