This page provides answers to common questions about the call for topic proposals for fully funded PhD fellowships. If you have a question that is not addressed below, please contact brandon.perumaul@uct.ac.za and we will update this section with further information where relevant.

View the full topic call here (NOTE: this is an internal UCT call)

Wednesday, 19 August 2026

Closed

Develop a cadre of transdisciplinary trained African and employable youth for climate resilience and sustainability by equipping young people with transdisciplinary education and leadership skills to address climate challenges, undertake effective climate actions, and drive sustainable development in their communities and sectors.

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During the predoctoral year, the student will register for the PhD in Climate and Development, with the current approved course code EGS7XXX. Initially, the director of the Doctoral Training Programme will be the main supervisor while the thesis supervisor will be a co-supervisor. During 2027, PhD equivalent PhD course codes will be established (via ACA approvals) for all departments in which a student has a lead-supervisor. In 2028, after the predoctoral year, the student will register for the PhD course code in their primary supervisor’s department.

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Each case is treated individually.  If the student fails to defend their PhD proposal successfully, the defence committee can decide to allow a resubmission and re-examination prior to registration the following year.  If the re-examination is negative, they will not be allowed to continue.  If the student fails one or more of their coursework exams, a supplementary final exam can, with support from the oversight committee, be retaken, but only if they are a borderline pass/fail, and where an improved final exam mark would shift the overall mark to a pass.  A student who is not allowed to progress, will be offered the opportunity transfer to a coursework MSc and undertake a minor dissertation in their second year.

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Needs-driven research is an approach focused on solving specific, practical problems and filling real-world gaps rather than just pursuing academic curiosity. It directly targets defined challenges faced by society, industry, or patients. It aims to fill societally relevant evidence, knowledge or practice gaps, where the gap has been identified by or with societal actors.

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