Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship Application for 2026/2027
Detailed guide on Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship Application 2026/2027. Are you a postgraduate student with a strong passion for the humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary research? The Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027 is now open for applications, offering prestigious financial support to academically outstanding students who wish to pursue Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral studies at Stellenbosch University. This scholarship is supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, an internationally renowned philanthropic foundation dedicated to advancing humanistic knowledge, higher education, and scholarly research worldwide.
The Mellon Foundation Scholarship at Stellenbosch University is designed to strengthen postgraduate training and research capacity in critical humanities and social science disciplines. Funding typically covers tuition fees and may include a generous living allowance, research-related expenses, and academic development support, depending on the level of study and programme. Scholars benefit from access to Stellenbosch University’s rich research environment, world-class supervision, and vibrant intellectual community that encourages critical thinking and global engagement.
This scholarship is particularly aimed at students who demonstrate excellent academic merit, research potential, and a clear commitment to contributing to knowledge production, teaching, and societal development within Africa and beyond. By investing in postgraduate scholars, the Mellon Foundation and Stellenbosch University seek to nurture future academics, researchers, and thought leaders who will shape public discourse and policy.
By applying for the Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027, students gain not only vital financial support but also the opportunity to be part of an internationally respected scholarly network that values intellectual depth, innovation, and social impact.
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Keep reading to find out more about the eligibility requirements, fields of study covered, application process, and closing date for the Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027.
About the Scholarship Providers
Stellenbosch University – Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is one of ten faculties at Stellenbosch University and offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across the arts, languages, and social sciences.
Fields of study within the Faculty include:
- Arts: Drama, Music, and Visual Arts
- Languages: African Languages, Afrikaans and Dutch, English, Linguistics, Ancient Studies, and Modern Foreign Languages
- Social Sciences: Geography and Environmental Studies, History, Information Science, Journalism, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Social Anthropology
The Faculty is internationally recognised for interdisciplinary research, critical scholarship, and postgraduate supervision excellence.
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation was established in 1969 following the merger of the Avalon Foundation and the Old Dominion Foundation. It is the largest private funder of the arts and humanities in the United States and operates as a non-profit organisation.
The Foundation supports four main programme areas:
- Higher Learning
- Arts and Culture
- Public Knowledge
- Humanities in Place
Through global partnerships, the Foundation promotes inclusive, innovative, and socially engaged humanities research.
About SU Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship Programme 2026/2027
The Graduate School of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, offers the “Turning the Tide” Masters Scholarship for the 2026 academic year.
Fields of Study Covered
The scholarship is available for Master’s (full thesis) degrees in any discipline within the Faculty, provided the research topic aligns with one of the following themes:
- African Cultural Studies
- Identity, Gender and/or Queer Studies
- The Anthropocene and Ecocriticism
Coursework Master’s programmes with a thesis component of less than 180 credits are not eligible.
Scholarship Value and Benefits
The scholarship is awarded to a total value of R170 000, paid over a period of 18 months to two years.
In addition, scholarship recipients and their supervisors may apply for supplementary funding to support:
- Writing retreats
- Local conference attendance (up to R8 269)
- Publication costs (up to R10 920)
This funding structure allows students to focus fully on research, academic writing, and scholarly dissemination.
Eligibility Requirements for Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027
Applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements:
- Must be a South African citizen or an international student
- Must be 30 years old or younger
- Must have achieved a first-class Honours distinction (minimum 75%)
- Must apply for admission to Stellenbosch University
- Must obtain a letter of support from the relevant department, confirming supervisory capacity
- Must intend to study full-time towards a Master’s (full thesis) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in 2026
- Must be able to commence studies in February 2026
- Must demonstrate excellent academic performance
Failure to meet any requirement will result in disqualification.
How to Apply for Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027
Applicants must download and complete the official Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship Application Form (.docx).
Required Supporting Documents
The following documents must be submitted together with the completed application form:
- Certified copy of South African ID (SA citizens) or passport (international students)
- Certified full academic transcript
- Certified Honours degree certificate or official confirmation that it will be issued before December 2026
- Motivational letter (maximum 600 words)
- Research pre-proposal outlining your research question and conceptual framework (maximum 500 words)
- Sample of academic writing (Honours research essay or relevant published work)
- Letter of recommendation from a potential supervisor within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Note: The application form must be saved and submitted in PDF format.
Submission Method
Applications must be submitted via email to: graduateschool@sun.ac.za
Email subject line: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship Application
Important Notes for Applicants
Before applying, please note the following:
- The application form must be completed in English only
- Prior contact with the relevant department is recommended, though not compulsory
- Applicants are responsible for confirming the availability of suitable supervisors
- Scholarships are not awarded for coursework-based Master’s programmes with limited thesis components
Closing Date for Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027
Application Deadline: 31 October
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Contact Details for Scholarship Enquiries
For further information, contact:
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – Stellenbosch University
Contact Person: Dr Candice Steele
Email: graduateschool@sun.ac.za