Stellenbosch University Fully-funded GEM Scholarships 2025 For PhD Students: Apply Now!

About the Stellenbosch University Fully-funded GEM Scholarships 2025

The prestigious Graduate School of Economics and Management Sciences (GEM) at Stellenbosch University is now inviting applications for the 2025 scholarships. The school is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting applications for its highly sought-after full-time, funded doctoral programme. Prospective doctoral candidates have the opportunity to apply for two esteemed scholarship opportunities:

1. GEM Elite Doctoral Scholarships: These prestigious scholarships provide full-time doctoral support and are valued at R200,000 per year for a period of three years.

2. GEM Doctoral Scholarships: Full-time doctoral scholarships are available under this category and are valued at R150,000 per year for three years.

This is an exceptional opportunity for aspiring scholars to pursue their doctoral studies with financial support from GEM. For more information on the application process and eligibility criteria, please visit the official GEM website or contact the Graduate School directly.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a scholarship, candidates must fulfil the following requirements:

To be considered for a PhD program at Stellenbosch University, a candidate must fulfill certain minimal requirements. A master’s degree in the pertinent field is needed for this, or in extraordinary cases, a comparable degree.

Applicants must have completed their master’s programs with a grade of 65% or higher.
The program will begin in January, and candidates must be under forty years old.
Applications will only be taken into consideration if they address one of the faculty’s research themes.

Everyone who fits the requirements listed below will be taken into consideration.

How to Apply

To apply for the 2025 cohort of the Graduate School, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Review eligibility criteria:

Before applying, please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria.

2. Download and complete the application form:

Download the application form and complete all the required sections. You will need to write a motivational letter regarding your suitability for the scholarship (with a maximum length of one A4 page) and a research concept note (with no maximum length) on a research topic that you intend to study during your doctoral studies. Make sure to use the 2024 Research Themes to guide you in choosing a research topic. If your research topic falls outside the listed research themes, ensure that it aligns with the current active research themes in one of the faculty’s academic departments.

3. Compile supporting documents:

Along with the completed application form, you will need to submit the following supporting documents:

Academic records: Provide full particulars of ALL previous and current tertiary studies. Submit copies of certified diploma/degree certificates and official study records (transcripts). Please note that academic records from student portals will not be acceptable.

ID or passport: Submit a certified copy of your ID (South African) or passport (international) photo page.
Proof of competency in English: Provide evidence of obtaining qualifications from tertiary institutions where English is the language of instruction or proof of English language proficiency. This evidence must not be older than 24 months from the date of the application.

4. Submission of Your Application:

Completed and signed application forms, along with the supporting documents, should be submitted to the Graduate School Office via email (GEM@sun.ac.za). Please note that no late applications will be accepted.

5. Inform Your Referees:

Ensure that your three references are aware that their referee letters, stating your capability to complete doctoral studies, should be sent directly to the Graduate School via email (GEM@sun.ac.za).

Incomplete applications will not be considered, so please ensure that you follow all the steps mentioned carefully. Click the link below to apply.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY