Are you a South African woman looking to pursue a PhD in biotechnology?
The ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme (SAWBP) PhD Fellowship 2027 offers a three-year PhD opportunity at the ICGEB Cape Town Component, in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The fellowship covers University of Cape Town tuition fees and provides a ZAR 16,500 monthly stipend. Fellows can also receive support for research mobility to ICGEB facilities in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India.
Applications are currently open for early 2027 commencement.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: PhD Fellowship
- Host Organization: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
- Partner: South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
- University: University of Cape Town
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Duration: 3 years
- Age: Not specified
- Mode: Full-time research
- Nationality: South African citizens and South African permanent residents
- Gender: Women only
- Minimum Degree Required: MSc
- Work Experience: Not specified
- Start Date: Early 2027
- Application Deadline: October 20, 2026
- Application Fee: No fee stated
- Stipend / Salary / Financial Support: ZAR 16,500 per month
- Tuition: Covered at the University of Cape Town
- Research Mobility: Support available for research visits to ICGEB facilities in Italy and India
- Research Areas: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology and Virology
What Is the ICGEB SAWBP PhD Fellowship?
The ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme supports South African women researchers pursuing advanced training in biotechnology.
The 2027 PhD fellowship is based at the ICGEB Cape Town Component, with doctoral studies at the University of Cape Town.
The programme is designed to provide researchers with access to advanced laboratory facilities, scientific mentorship and an international research environment.
What Does the Fellowship Cover?
PhD Tuition
The fellowship covers tuition fees at the University of Cape Town.
Monthly Stipend
Selected fellows receive:
ZAR 16,500 per month
Over a three-year period, this amounts to ZAR 594,000 if the stipend is paid for all 36 months.
The fellowship continues for three years subject to satisfactory performance.
International Research Mobility
The programme also provides additional mobility support for research activities at other ICGEB Components.
Potential destinations include:
- ICGEB Trieste, Italy
- ICGEB New Delhi, India
This gives fellows an opportunity to gain experience within ICGEB’s wider international research network.
Research Training and Mentoring
Fellows receive access to scientific training, mentoring, peer learning and complementary skills development within an international research environment.
What Can You Research?
Your proposed PhD project must be innovative and fall within one of the research areas supported by the ICGEB Cape Town Component.
These include:
1. Infectious Diseases
Research related to infectious disease biology and related biotechnology applications.
2. Non-Communicable Diseases
Research addressing diseases that are not primarily caused by infectious agents.
3. Bioinformatics
Research involving computational and data-driven approaches in biotechnology and life sciences.
4. Plant Systems Biology
Research focused on plant biology using systems-level approaches.
5. Virology
Research involving viruses, viral biology and related areas.
Your proposed project needs to fit within the research expertise of the ICGEB Cape Town laboratory you intend to join.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship has a strict nationality and gender requirement.
You must:
- Be a woman
- Be a South African citizen or South African permanent resident
- Have a valid South African ID number
- Hold an MSc degree, or be able to provide the required confirmation regarding your MSc thesis before the fellowship begins
- Propose an innovative research project within one of the eligible ICGEB research areas
- Obtain support from an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader
ICGEB states that preference will be given to Black and disabled applicants.
Is an MSc Required?
Yes.
Applicants must provide proof of an MSc degree or a letter confirming their intention to submit their MSc thesis from their supervisor.
However, the official call makes clear that proof of the MSc degree must be available before the fellowship begins if the applicant is selected.
Do You Need a Supervisor Before Applying?
Yes. This is an important part of the application.
Applicants must contact an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader before applying to discuss their proposed research project.
A written endorsement from the Group Leader who is willing to support the project is mandatory for the application.
This means you should not wait until the final day to start looking for a potential research supervisor.
Is the Fellowship Fully Funded?
Yes, in terms of the core PhD funding package.
The official call states that the fellowship provides:
- University of Cape Town tuition fees
- ZAR 16,500 monthly stipend
- Additional mobility support for research at ICGEB facilities in Italy and India
However, the call does not state that every personal expense, such as accommodation, meals or all living costs, is separately covered.
Application Documents
Applicants need to submit:
- Copy of South African ID
- CV
- Detailed research project proposal
- Endorsement letter from an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader
- Proof of MSc degree, or confirmation regarding submission of the MSc thesis
The Group Leader endorsement is a particularly important requirement because applicants must identify and contact the relevant laboratory in advance.
How to Apply
The application is submitted by email.
Before sending the application:
Step 1: Identify a suitable ICGEB Cape Town research group
Look through the available ICGEB Cape Town laboratories and identify a Group Leader whose research matches your proposed PhD topic.
Step 2: Contact the Group Leader
Discuss your proposed research project and request support for your application.
Step 3: Prepare your research proposal
Your project should be innovative and fit within one of the five eligible research areas.
Step 4: Collect your documents
Prepare your CV, South African ID, MSc documentation and Group Leader endorsement.
Step 5: Submit the application
Send the complete application to the email address specified by ICGEB in the official call.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
October 20, 2026
The University of Cape Town’s postgraduate funding noticeboard also lists the ICGEB-SAWBP PhD Fellowship Programme with the same October 20, 2026 closing date.
Application Fee
No application fee is stated in the official fellowship call.
Applicants should be cautious of anyone requesting payment in exchange for submitting or processing an ICGEB fellowship application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a PhD scholarship?
Yes. It is a three-year PhD fellowship supporting doctoral research in biotechnology at the ICGEB Cape Town Component.
Is tuition covered?
Yes. Tuition fees at the University of Cape Town are covered.
How much is the monthly stipend?
The fellowship provides ZAR 16,500 per month.
How long is the funding?
The fellowship is for three years, subject to satisfactory performance.
Can men apply?
No. The current SAWBP PhD call is specifically for female applicants.
Can South African permanent residents apply?
Yes. South African permanent residents with a valid South African ID number are eligible.
Is there an age limit?
The current official call does not specify an age limit.
Do I need an MSc?
Yes, or you must meet the call’s requirement concerning submission of your MSc thesis before the fellowship starts.
Do I need a research supervisor?
Yes. An endorsement from an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader is mandatory.
Can I conduct research in India?
The fellowship includes mobility support that may allow fellows to conduct research at the ICGEB New Delhi Component, subject to the programme arrangements.
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