African Doctoral Academy (ADA) at Stellenbosch University Hybrid Winter School 2025 Scholarships for Emerging Doctoral Candidates – Apply Now!

ADA Hybrid Winter School 2025 Scholarships – Apply Now!
The African Doctoral Academy (ADA) at Stellenbosch University is excited to offer limited scholarships for emerging doctoral candidates to attend the ADA Hybrid Winter School in 2025. This prestigious opportunity is designed for early-phase PhD students and provides access to a range of specialized training courses aimed at advancing research, publishing, scientific communication, and career development. The Winter School will take place from 7 – 25 July 2025, and scholarship applications are now open.
Scholarship Overview
The ADA Scholarships offer fee waivers for a variety of courses at the Winter School. This scholarship will cover only the cost of course fees and will not include additional funding for travel, accommodation, or other associated costs. Online courses are fully funded in terms of course fees, though costs for data and internet will not be covered. For in-person courses, the scholarship will cover course fees as well as costs for travel and accommodation.
Successful applicants can enroll in one course at the Winter School, selecting a first and second choice of course. This scholarship opportunity is open to doctoral candidates who are within the first 18 months of their doctoral studies.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the ADA Hybrid Winter School Scholarship, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Be in the early phases of their doctoral studies, specifically within the first 18 months of enrollment by 7 July 2025.
- Be enrolled at their home institution by 7 July 2025.
- Be from any discipline of study.
Preference will be given to applicants who are African students, including those from South Africa, as well as female candidates and those studying at African institutions. Additionally, applicants who have benefited from ADA funding or other Stellenbosch University International funding within the past 18-24 months will be placed on a secondary list to ensure equitable distribution of available funds.
Application Process
To apply, candidates must complete an online application form and submit the required documents by 18 May 2025 (23:59 hours SAST). Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
The required documents include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – a detailed resume of the candidate’s academic and professional experience.
- Proof of Registration – formal confirmation of registration for the PhD program at the candidate’s home institution, clearly indicating the enrollment date.
- Supervisor’s Approval – a written letter from the applicant’s supervisor or the head of department, endorsing the application and confirming that the applicant is in the first 18 months of their doctoral program. This letter must be on official university letterhead and signed by the supervisor or department head.
During the evaluation process, additional credit will be awarded if the supervisor provides a motivated endorsement, explaining why the applicant is suitable for the Winter School program.
Course Options and Scholarship Details
The Winter School program covers a variety of training courses, including:
- Research skills development
- Publishing and scientific communication
- Career-oriented training for PhD students
For more details on the full Winter School program, including a list of courses and the schedule, candidates can visit the official program website. The program is designed to support doctoral candidates in their academic and professional journeys by equipping them with practical skills and knowledge.
Important Dates:
- Application Deadline: 18 May 2025 (23:59 SAST)
- Outcome Notification: 26 May 2025
- Winter School Dates: 7 – 25 July 2025
Additional Information
Candidates should be aware that the ADA reserves the right not to make any selections or to withdraw scholarship awards if the recipient is unable to fully commit to the program’s duration. Additionally, all scholarship recipients must attend the entire Winter School to receive certification.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications via the ADA application portal. The form must be completed online, and all supporting documents should be uploaded simultaneously. Applications can be submitted only once all documents are correctly uploaded.
To start your application, follow the link below:
Apply Now
For more information, including course options and program details, visit:
Winter School Program Information
Don’t miss out on this transformative opportunity to boost your research career. Apply today!
Note: Please ensure that you are eligible for the scholarship before submitting your application.



