ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme (SAWBP) PhD Fellowship 2027

The ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme (SAWBP) PhD Fellowship 2027 is offered by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. The fellowship will be hosted at the ICGEB Cape Town Component, where selected researchers can pursue a three-year PhD in biotechnology. The current call is for studies commencing in early 2027, with applications closing on 20 October 2026. It is designed for eligible South African women interested in innovative research across areas such as infectious diseases, bioinformatics, virology, plant systems biology, and non-communicable diseases.

Scholarship Overview

• Host country: South Africa

• Study level: PhD

• Opportunity type: Fellowship

• Funding: Funded

• Deadline: 20 October 2026

• Status: Open

• Eligible applicants: South African women

Benefits

• Tuition fees: Covered — University of Cape Town tuition fees.

• Monthly stipend: ZAR 16,500 per month.

• Travel / airfare: Not specifically stated in the official 2027 call.

• Health insurance: Not specified in the official call.

• Accommodation: Not specified in the official call.

• Visa allowance: Not specified in the official call.

• Books / settling-in allowance: Not specified in the official call.

• Research mobility: Additional mobility support is provided for research at ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy, and New Delhi, India. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Academic level: PhD / doctoral research in Biotechnology.

• Gender: Female applicants only.

• Nationality: South African citizens.

• Residency: South African Permanent Residents with a valid South African ID number.

• Academic requirement: MSc degree, or a letter confirming the intention to submit the MSc thesis from the supervisor. Proof of the MSc degree is required before starting the fellowship.

• Research requirement: Proposed research must be innovative and fit one of the ICGEB Cape Town research areas.

• Preference: Black and disabled applicants are given preference. (icgeb.org)

Available Fields / Research Areas

The current 2027 call confirms these five research areas:

• Infectious Diseases

• Non-Communicable Diseases

• Bioinformatics

• Plant Systems Biology

• Virology

How to Apply

This is a direct application to ICGEB, not an embassy or nominating-agency application. Applicants must first contact an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader and obtain a mandatory endorsement.

1. Choose a suitable research area and identify an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader whose research matches your proposed PhD project.

2. Contact the Group Leader in advance to discuss your proposed research project.

3. Obtain a written endorsement from the Group Leader confirming support for your project.

4. Prepare the required documents: South African ID, CV, detailed research proposal, Group Leader endorsement, and proof of MSc degree or a supervisor’s letter confirming the intention to submit the MSc thesis.

5. Submit the application by email to ICGEB using the contact details provided in the official call.

6. Apply by 20 October 2026. 

Application route: Directly to ICGEB Cape Town by email, with the required Group Leader endorsement. 

Required Documents

• Copy of South African ID

• CV

• Detailed project proposal

• Letter of endorsement from an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader

• Proof of MSc degree or a supervisor’s letter confirming the intention to submit the MSc thesis

The official call does not specify a particular CV or proposal file format. (icgeb.org)

Important Dates

• Programme commencement: Early 2027

• Application deadline: 20 October 2026

• Nomination deadline: Not applicable

• Interview period: Not specified

• Results announcement: Not specified