South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) Bursary Application for 2026/2027
Detailed guide on South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) Bursary Application 2026/2027. Are you a South African student with a passion for human rights, social justice, constitutional law, and academic research? The SAJHR Bursary Programme 2026/2027 is now open for applications, offering financial support to dedicated students who wish to pursue studies in law, human rights, political science, and related social science fields. The South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) is a leading academic journal committed to advancing critical scholarship on human rights, democracy, and constitutionalism in South Africa and beyond, and through this bursary, it invests in nurturing the next generation of legal scholars and human rights advocates.
The SAJHR Bursary provides financial assistance that may cover tuition fees, prescribed study materials, and other essential academic expenses, helping to ease the financial burden on deserving students. In addition to funding, beneficiaries gain valuable exposure to academic research, legal writing, and human rights discourse, positioning them for future careers in law, academia, public policy, and advocacy. This bursary is ideal for high-achieving students who demonstrate a strong interest in human rights, social transformation, and scholarly excellence.
By applying for the SAJHR Bursary 2026/2027, students not only gain crucial financial support but also become part of a community that shapes human rights thinking and legal development in South Africa.
In addition, satrends.co.za offers a wide range of other bursary categories to suit your preference. Click on the links below to access other kinds of bursaries.
Universities in South Africa Bursaries Available for 2026
Government Departments Bursaries Available for 2026
Field of Studies Specified Bursaries Available for 2026
Keep reading to find out more about the eligibility requirements, fields of study covered, application process, and closing date for the South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) Bursary Programme 2026/2027.
About South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR)
The South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) is offering an exciting opportunity for postgraduate law students through its SAJHR Postgraduate Top-Up Bursary Programme for the 2026 academic year. This bursary is designed to support deserving students who are pursuing advanced studies in human rights, constitutional law, and justice-related fields at public universities in South Africa. If you are an LLM student facing financial challenges and committed to making a meaningful impact in the legal and human rights sector, this bursary could provide the essential support you need to complete your studies.
Founded in 1985 by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) and housed at the School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, the SAJHR is one of South Africa’s most respected public law journals. It is internationally recognised for publishing high-quality legal scholarship and for its dedication to advancing research in human rights law, constitutional law, and justice-related legal studies. The journal plays a critical role in shaping legal discourse both locally and globally, making it a prestigious institution to be associated with.
About the SAJHR Bursary Programme 2026/2027
The SAJHR bursary is a postgraduate top-up bursary, meaning it provides partial funding to assist with study-related expenses rather than covering full tuition costs. It is specifically aimed at students who are:
- Studying towards an LLM degree
- Conducting research in constitutional law, human rights law, or justice-related legal fields
- Registered at any public university in South Africa
This bursary recognises the importance of supporting academically strong students who are nearing the completion of their postgraduate studies but may lack sufficient financial resources.
Bursary Coverage and Value
The SAJHR bursary offers funding of up to R30 000, paid as a once-off top-up grant. The funding is intended to assist with costs such as:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Research expenses
- Other academic-related costs
Because it is a top-up bursary, applicants are encouraged to have other funding sources in place. This bursary simply helps reduce the financial burden and enables students to focus on completing their studies successfully.
Successful applicants will be notified by 30 May 2026. If you do not receive feedback by this date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Eligibility Requirements for SAJHR Bursary Application 2026/2027
To qualify for the SAJHR Postgraduate Top-Up Bursary, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- You must be a Black South African citizen or an African with permanent South African residency
- You must demonstrate financial need
- You must have recently completed an LLB degree at any South African university
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for your LLB studies
- You must be registered for an LLM degree (1st or 2nd/final year) at a public university in South Africa
- Your LLM must involve coursework and a research report/mini-dissertation or a full dissertation
- Your research must focus on human rights, constitutional law, and/or justice-related law
Preference will be given to:
- Students who graduated from:
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- University of Venda
- University of Fort Hare
- University of Zululand
- University of Limpopo
- Walter Sisulu University
- University of the Western Cape
- Students with strong academic records who are close to completing their LLM degree
How to Apply for SAJHR Bursary 2026/2027
There is no application form for this bursary. Applications must be submitted via email.
Send your application to: kok.joey@gmail.com
Use the subject line: “SAJHR top-up bursary”
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit clear copies of the following documents. Missing documents may result in disqualification:
- Certified copy of your South African ID (if a citizen)
- Certified copy of your passport and permanent residency permit (if applicable)
- Full academic transcript on the institution’s letterhead
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Contact details of two contactable references
- Motivational letter explaining:
- Why you deserve the bursary
- Your academic goals
- Your financial need
- Proof of financial need (e.g. student account statement)
Your motivational letter is especially important, as it allows the selection panel to understand your background, challenges, and commitment to advancing justice and human rights through law.
Closing Date for SAJHR Bursary Application 2026/2027
Application Deadline: 11 April
Late applications will not be accepted, so it is strongly advised to submit your application well before the closing date.
Contact Details of South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) Bursary
For any enquiries regarding the SAJHR Bursary Programme, please contact:
Contact Person: Dr Joey Kok (Managing Editor)
Email: kok.joey@gmail.com