The Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures (WESAF) Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year offers a fully-funded, 12-month Masters by Research (MScR) in Sustainable African Futures. Delivered predominantly online by the University of Edinburgh, this interdisciplinary program is funded by the Mastercard Foundation and is targeted at emerging researchers, academics, or recent graduates affiliated with one of 14 African partner universities. The scholarship covers full tuition, travel to South Africa for two sustainability schools, accommodation, a stipend, and a laptop. Applicants must be citizens or residents of an African country, 35 or under, and meet the entry requirements for a Master’s program at the University of Edinburgh.
Fully Funded University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg Sustainable African Futures MScR Scholarship 2026/27 for African Researchers Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) & University of Edinburgh (UoE) |
| Sponsor | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program |
| Academic Level | Masters by Research (MScR) |
| Eligible Countries | African Countries (Citizens or Residents/Refugees) |
| Target Group | Emerging Researchers, Academics, and Staff from 14 Partner African Universities |
| Study Format | Full-time, predominantly Online (12 months: Sept 2026 – Aug 2027) |
| Research Focus | Interdisciplinary research on sustainability and African futures |
| Reward | Full Scholarship (Fees, Stipend, Travel, Accommodation, Laptop) |
| IELTS/English | No IELTS Required (Support offered if slightly below required band) |
| Deadline | February 2, 2026 |
Program Overview: The Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures (WESAF) MScR
The Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures (WESAF) Masters by Research (MScR) programme is an innovative, fully funded, full-time initiative established to build critical research capacity across the African continent. This 12-month interdisciplinary program, delivered primarily online and administered by the University of Edinburgh, aims to train emerging researchers in generating and applying knowledge for sustainable development in Africa.
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The WESAF Scholarship, generously funded by the Mastercard Foundation, ensures that selected candidates—often staff, early career researchers, or recent graduates from 14 partner African universities—are fully supported financially. The programme includes two compulsory in-person sustainability schools hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa, which provide invaluable networking and focused academic engagement.
Scholarship Benefits
The WESAF Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support to ensure Fellows can complete the rigorous 12-month research program without financial burden.
Tier 1: Comprehensive Financial Coverage (Tuition, Travel, and Subsistence)
This tier covers all major costs associated with the programme, including both the online and in-person components.
- MSc by Research Fees: Full coverage of all University of Edinburgh tuition fees for the 12-month program.
- Sustainability School Costs: Full coverage for participation in the two in-person sustainability schools in Johannesburg, including:
- Return international flights.
- Accommodation and subsistence while in Johannesburg.
- Internal travel and visa application support for South Africa entry.
- Necessary vaccination costs.
Tier 2: Academic and Welfare Support
These benefits are tailored to facilitate the research process and provide logistical support to the Fellows.
- Workload Relief/Stipend: Workload relief funding for faculty members or a work experience stipend for early career researchers.
- Laptops and Connectivity Stipend: Financial assistance for securing necessary computing equipment and reliable internet access for the online program.
Tier 3: Strategic Program Focus
The scholarship provides supplementary resources designed to enhance the overall professional and academic development of the Fellows.
- Reading Material: All required reading materials will be accessible online through the University of Edinburgh library and provided by course lecturers at no cost.
- Professional Development: Access to professional development courses and workshops.
- Test Preparation/Supplies: Support for test preparation materials and school supplies.
Eligibility Requirements for Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures (WESAF)
Candidates must meet the following strict criteria for the 2026/27 Masters by Research program:
- Academic Qualification: Must have successfully completed a university degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 Honours degree, which qualifies for entry into a Master’s programme at the University of Edinburgh.
- English Language: Must demonstrate a level of English competency to succeed in studies. While no IELTS is explicitly required for application, support may be offered to reach the necessary admissions requirement.
- Institutional Tie (Must meet one of the following):
- Be a recent graduate (last university degree completed not more than 3.5 years ago) from one of the 14 African partner universities.
- Be demonstrably involved in research projects of one of the 14 partner universities.
- Be a staff member (lecturers, early career researchers, professional service staff) at one of the 14 partner universities.
- Age: Must be 35 years old or under in the year the program commences (i.e., born after 1990 for the 2026/27 academic year).
- Citizenship/Residency: Must be a resident and citizen or hold refugee status in an African country (including North Africa).
- Diversity Encouragement: Women, applicants from refugee and displaced backgrounds, candidates with disabilities, and candidates who have not completed a Master’s degree are especially encouraged to apply.
Required Application Documents
Candidates must prepare and submit the following documents as part of the online application process:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Comprehensive CV, including a list of any relevant publications (if applicable).
- Official Transcript: Your final official university transcript showing all courses and grades.
- Degree Certificate: Your final official university degree certificate.
- Completed Application Form: The full online application form via the designated portal.
How to Apply for Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures 2026 (Step by Step)
The application window for the 2026/27 MScR opens on December 10, 2025, and closes on February 2, 2026. Follow these steps to apply:
- Access the Scholarship Webpage: Click the green button below to navigate to the official scholarship page, which contains the application link.
- Access the Application Link: Click the specific link provided on that page to apply for the Programme via the University of Edinburgh’s application system.
- Create and Complete Application: Create and verify your account on the application platform. Then, thoroughly complete all sections of the application form.
- Upload Documents: Upload the required documents, including your CV, official transcripts, and degree certificates, to finalize your submission.
Application Deadline: February 2, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the WESAF Doctoral Programme and is this scholarship for a PhD?
The WESAF Doctoral Programme comprises both an MScR and a subsequent PhD component. This scholarship specifically funds the 12-month MSc by Research (MScR) in Sustainable African Futures only. Continuation to the PhD is competitive and based on performance in the MScR.
2. Who is the scholarship primarily targeting?
The scholarship primarily targets staff members, early career researchers, and recent graduates affiliated with one of the 14 African partner higher education institutions (HEIs).
3. Do I need to apply for the University of Edinburgh first?
No. If the WESAF Scholarship is the only scholarship you are interested in at the University of Edinburgh, you should apply for the scholarship first. You will only be invited to apply directly via the UoE Admissions system if you are successful.
4. What does the “fully funded” aspect cover?
The fully funded package covers the MScR tuition fees, a stipend, return flights for two in-person Sustainability Schools in Johannesburg, accommodation and subsistence during these schools, and a stipend for a laptop and internet connectivity.
5. Is a physical move required to take part in the program?
The MScR is delivered predominantly online. However, successful candidates must travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend two compulsory, in-person Sustainability Schools. Travel costs for this are fully covered.
6. What is the age limit for applicants?
Applicants must be 35 years old or under in the year the program commences, meaning those born in 1990 or prior are not eligible for the 2026/27 intake.
7. What if my English language score is slightly below the requirement?
The program ideally requires English language competency for success. However, support may be offered to offer holders who are slightly below the required IELTS band to help them meet the necessary admissions requirement.
8. What degree is required to be eligible?
You must have successfully completed a university degree that is equivalent to a UK 2:1 Honours degree, which is required for entry into a Master’s programme at the University of Edinburgh.
9. Which universities are among the 14 African partner institutions?
Examples of the partner institutions include the University of Ghana, Makerere University, University of Ibadan, Ain Shams University, University of Rwanda, and Eduardo Mondlane University.
10. When does the Masters by Research program start and end?
The full-time MScR program runs for 12 months, commencing in September 2026 and concluding in August 2027.
