UCT Centre For African Studies: Jack Simons Bursary Application for 2026/2027
Detailed guide on UCT Centre for African Studies: Jack Simons Bursary Application 2026/2027. Are you a South African or African student with a strong interest in African history, politics, society, and critical scholarship? The UCT Centre for African Studies Jack Simons Bursary 2026/2027 is now open for applications, offering financial support to postgraduate students pursuing studies in African Studies and related disciplines at the University of Cape Town (UCT). This prestigious bursary is administered by the Centre for African Studies (CAS), a leading academic hub dedicated to advancing critical, interdisciplinary research on Africa and the Global South.
Named in honour of Professor Jack Simons, a renowned scholar and anti-apartheid intellectual, the Jack Simons Bursary reflects UCT’s commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and transformative scholarship. The bursary is aimed at supporting students whose research engages deeply with African realities, histories, cultures, political economy, and contemporary challenges, while contributing meaningfully to knowledge production on the continent.
The Jack Simons Bursary may provide financial assistance towards tuition fees and/or living expenses, helping to ease the financial burden of postgraduate study. In addition to funding, beneficiaries become part of a vibrant intellectual community at the UCT Centre for African Studies, gaining access to seminars, workshops, mentorship, and interdisciplinary networks that enrich their academic and professional development.
By applying for the UCT Centre for African Studies Jack Simons Bursary 2026/2027, students not only receive crucial financial support but also position themselves within one of Africa’s most respected centres for critical scholarship and research.
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 supported, application process, and closing date for the UCT Centre for African Studies: Jack Simons Bursary 2026/2027.
About the Institution – UCT Centre for African Studies
The Centre for African Studies (CAS) at the University of Cape Town is housed within the Faculty of Humanities and is dedicated to interdisciplinary African-focused scholarship. The Centre examines African and global contexts through a wide range of disciplines, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and innovative research methods.
Students enrolled at CAS benefit from close interaction with leading scholars, resident academics, visiting researchers, and distinguished guest lecturers. Teaching and supervision are delivered primarily through small seminar-based learning, allowing for active engagement, rigorous debate, and direct mentorship.
Research within CAS spans diverse formats and media, including creative writing, conventional dissertations, visual and digital media, and design-based research, all focused on African issues and experiences.
About Jack Simons – Scholar and Anti-Apartheid Activist
The Jack Simons Bursary honours Jack Simons, a prominent academic, activist, and intellectual who played a significant role in South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.
Simons began his career in law in the 1920s before joining the civil service in Pretoria. He later obtained a PhD and became a lecturer at the University of Cape Town, while also serving as a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP). His anthropological research in Langa during the 1940s and his involvement in workers’ movements led to multiple arrests and state persecution.
After years of banning and exile in Zambia, Simons returned to South Africa in the 1990s and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law by UCT, recognising his academic and political contributions.
About the UCT Bursary Programme 2026/2027
Fields Covered and Funding Value
The Harry Oppenheimer Institute for African Studies (HOI) at UCT administers postgraduate funding to support students undertaking research in African Studies.
Funding Opportunities Available
Jack Simons Bursary
- For students studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree in African Studies
- Applicants must have permanent residence in Africa
- Selection is based on academic merit, equity, and transformation considerations
- Value: R10 000
Harry Oppenheimer Scholarship
- For students pursuing Master’s or Doctoral degrees in African Studies
- Open to students residing in Africa
- Awarded based on academic excellence, equity, and merit
- Value: R20 000
For Honours and Postgraduate Diploma students, the R20 000 scholarship is awarded based on:
- Academic merit
- UCT’s Equity Policy
- Demonstrated financial need
All applicants must be registered full-time at the University of Cape Town.
Eligibility Requirements for UCT Centre For African Studies: Jack Simons Bursary 2026/2027
Applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements to be considered:
- Must be a South African citizen with permanent residence
- Must be registered for full-time postgraduate studies
- Must be registered for a Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree in African Studies
- Must be conducting research in any field of African Studies
- Must be registered at the University of Cape Town
- In line with UCT’s Equity Policy, Black students are strongly encouraged to apply, as they remain underrepresented at postgraduate level
Failure to meet any of the above criteria will result in the application being disregarded.
How to Apply for UCT Centre For African Studies: Jack Simons Bursary 2026/2027
Applicants must first download and complete the official UCT Jack Simons Bursary Application Form (PDF).
Required Supporting Documents
The following documents must be submitted together with the completed application form:
- Certified copy of a South African ID document
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Details of previous research and publications (title, publisher, journal, and date)
- Details of any other bursaries, scholarships, or grants applied for
- Details of two academic referees (full name, address, and academic position)
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Submission Method
Applications must be submitted electronically via email to: vuyelwa.mnqanqeni@uct.ac.za
Email subject line: Jack Simons Bursary Application – Your Full Name
Closing Date for UCT Centre For African Studies: Jack Simons Bursary 2026/2027
Application Deadline: 12 April 2026
Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants are advised to submit well before the closing date.
Contact the UCT Centre for African Studies
For further information or bursary-related enquiries, contact:
Contact Person: Vuyelwa Mnqanqeni
Email: vuyelwa.mnqanqeni@uct.ac.za
