GreenMatter 2017 Postgraduate Fellowship Awards for Young South Africans.

A GreenMatter postgraduate award provides holistic support in the form of:
a) a cash contribution towards costs of living, study fees, and research costs; and
b) the opportunity to access mentoring support, career guidance and platforms to engage in learning networks.

Requirements:

Applicants must be:

• A national of South Africa;
• In possession of an undergraduate Degree, Honours Degree, or Master’s Degree;
• Seeking funding for a full-time postgraduate programme;
• Able to motivate how your field of study aligns to the GreenMatter priority skill areas identified.

Please apply only if you are eligible.
The 2018 Fellowship call is inviting applications for an award from the following:

Nedbank Eyethu Community Trust:
For students wanting to enroll at a South African University to commence Honours studies in 2018. This award is supported by the Nedbank Eyethu Community Trust and GreenMatter. The cash bursary amount is ZAR 50,000 per year. The Honours coursework and proposed research topic must address GreenMatter Priority Skills Areas (As listed in the table above).

Harry Crossley Foundation/Stellenbosch University/University of Cape Town:
For students wanting to enroll at Stellenbosch University or the University of Cape Town to commence Honours and PhD studies in the 2018 (2nd and 3rd year students are not eligible). This award is supported by the Harry Crossley Foundation, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town and GreenMatter. The cash bursary amount is:
Honours: ZAR 35,000 per year
PhD: ZAR 150,000 per year for up to 3 years.
The proposed research topic must address GreenMatter Priority Skills Areas (As listed in the table above).

The Mapula Foundation MSc and PhD Award:
For students wanting to enroll at any South African university to commence Master’s and PhD studies in 2018 (2nd year students are not eligible). This award is supported by The Mapula Foundation and GreenMatter.

Mapula PhD Awards:
The PhD candidate cash bursary amount is ZAR 120,000 per year for three years only. Only PhD studies in the following biosphere reserves will be considered for the Mapula awards:

• Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve
• Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve
• Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve
• Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve

The topic of the PhD studies in these biosphere reserves must conduct an assessment of how the management practices in the Biosphere Reserve contribute to region’s biodiversity conservation and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mapula Master’s Awards:
The Master’s cash bursary amount is ZAR 60,000 per year for two years only. The applicant’s proposed research topic must address one of the priority conservation concerns below:

Project One:
Vhembe Biosphere Reserve: It is globally recognised in many countries that roads are a real threat to the persistence of a variety of species. There is growing evidence and knowledge to support this in South Africa, although currently there is little knowledge of the extent of these impacts, and consequently few efforts for mitigating them.

Project Two:
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve: The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Carnivore Conservation Programme (CCP) has developed a new 10-year strategy with the vision of “Self-sustaining populations of carnivores living in harmony with people”. Within this strategy it is imperative to engage with communities that interact with carnivores and attempt to understand aspects of utilization, persecution and mitigating conflict.

Application Process:
The application form is of primary importance as it serves as the basis for assessment. The form should be completed and submitted online via the GreenMatter website. Please remember to fill in all sections of the form. If you experience any problems, questions can be emailed to [email protected] and will be responded to within 2 working days.The following supporting documents must be included and should be uploaded at the end of the form. Please make sure the documents are labelled accordingly.

• Proof of South African citizenship;
• Certified copy of degree certificate(s);
• Certified academic transcripts;
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) – List any and all work or volunteer experience;
• Thesis proposal;  
• Reference letters from two referees.

Timetable
The deadline for applications is SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications must be emailed to [email protected].