Международный центр генной инженерии приглашает южноафриканских женщин на трехлетнюю стипендию для исследований в биотехнологии

Deadline: 20-Oct-2026 The ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme (SAWBP) PhD Fellowship is inviting applications from South African women who want to undertake innovative doctoral research in biotechnology at the ICGEB Cape Town Component. The fellowship was established to support the development of South African women researchers in biotechnology while promoting scientific interaction, mobility, mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, and participation in an international research environment. The programme is a partnership between the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. About the SAWBP PhD Fellowship The South African Women in Biotechnology Programme is designed to strengthen the participation and development of South African women researchers in biotechnology. The fellowship provides doctoral researchers with the opportunity to conduct innovative research while becoming part of the wider ICGEB scientific community. The programme promotes: Development of South African women researchers. Innovative biotechnology research. Scientific interaction and mobility. Mentoring opportunities. Peer-to-peer learning. Exposure to an international scientific research environment. Application of advanced techniques and methodologies. PhD Research Areas Fellowships support innovative doctoral research projects within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas. The eligible research areas are: Infectious Diseases Non-Communicable Diseases Bioinformatics Plant Systems Biology Virology Applicants should develop research proposals that clearly fit within one of these scientific areas. Innovative Biotechnology Research The fellowship is intended to support innovative doctoral research. Applicants are encouraged to consider the application of the latest techniques and methodologies in their proposed research. The programme also provides an environment where fellows can benefit from scientific interaction and collaboration within the ICGEB community. This combination of doctoral research, advanced methodologies, mentoring, and international exposure can help fellows develop their scientific expertise and research careers. Fellowship Duration The fellowship provides support for a period of three years. Continuation of the fellowship is contingent on satisfactory performance. This provides fellows with sustained support while they undertake their doctoral research at the ICGEB Cape Town Component. Financial Support The SAWBP PhD Fellowship provides financial and academic support during the fellowship period. The support includes: University of Cape Town tuition fees. ZAR 16,500 monthly stipend. Support for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory performance. Additional mobility support for research at other ICGEB Components. The mobility component provides fellows with opportunities to conduct research at ICGEB Components in: International Research Mobility A distinctive feature of the fellowship is the opportunity for fellows to undertake research at other ICGEB Components. Additional mobility support can enable fellows to conduct research at ICGEB facilities in Trieste, Italy, and New Delhi, India. This provides an opportunity for doctoral researchers to gain exposure to different scientific environments and interact with researchers within the broader ICGEB community. Mentoring and Peer-to-Peer Learning The programme encourages fellows to benefit from mentoring and peer-to-peer learning. These opportunities can support: Scientific development. Research skills. Knowledge exchange. Collaboration. Professional development. Interaction with researchers in the ICGEB community. The programme’s international scientific environment further supports interaction and exposure beyond the fellow’s primary research setting. Who Can Apply? Eligibility is specifically restricted to female applicants who meet the nationality or residency requirements. Applicants must: Be women. Be South African citizens or permanent residents. Have a valid South African ID number. Meet the academic and application requirements. Propose innovative doctoral research within one of the eligible ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas. Preference is given to Black and disabled applicants. Academic Requirement Applicants must provide proof of an MSc degree or a letter confirming their intention to submit their MSc thesis. This requirement demonstrates that applicants have the relevant postgraduate academic preparation for doctoral research. Applicants who have not yet submitted their MSc thesis can provide the required confirmation of their intention to submit it. ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader Endorsement Applicants must submit a letter of endorsement from an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader. This endorsement is an important part of the application package and connects the proposed doctoral research with the ICGEB Cape Town research environment. Applicants should therefore identify an appropriate ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader and obtain the required endorsement before submitting their application. Application Documents Applicants are required to submit several documents as part of their fellowship application. The application package includes: Letter of endorsement from an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader. Curriculum vitae (CV). Detailed project proposal. Proof of MSc degree, or a letter confirming intention to submit the MSc thesis. Applicants should ensure that all required documents are complete and clearly present their academic background, research experience, and proposed doctoral project. How to Prepare a Strong Fellowship Application Applicants should develop a clear and well-structured application demonstrating their suitability for innovative biotechnology research. Important preparation steps include: Choose an eligible research area: Ensure your proposed project fits within Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, or Virology. Develop a detailed project proposal: Clearly explain the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected contribution. Emphasise innovation: Show how the proposed research contributes innovative ideas, techniques, or methodologies. Connect your research with ICGEB: Explain how the project fits within the research environment of the ICGEB Cape Town Component. Obtain Group Leader endorsement: Secure the required letter of endorsement from an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader. Prepare a strong CV: Highlight relevant academic qualifications, research experience, scientific skills, and achievements. Provide MSc evidence: Include proof of the MSc degree or the required letter confirming your intention to submit the MSc thesis. Check eligibility: Confirm your South African citizenship or permanent residency status and valid South African ID number. Highlight research potential: Clearly demonstrate your ability and motivation to undertake innovative doctoral research. Why Apply for the SAWBP PhD Fellowship? The fellowship offers South African women an opportunity to pursue doctoral research in biotechnology while receiving financial, academic, mentoring, and mobility support. Key benefits include: Three years of fellowship support. University of Cape Town tuition fees. ZAR 16,500 monthly stipend. Additional mobility support. Research opportunities within the ICGEB community. Potential research mobility to Trieste, Italy. Potential research mobility to New Delhi, India. Mentoring opportunities. Peer-to-peer learning. Exposure to an international scientific research environment. Opportunity to work with advanced techniques and methodologies. Key Facts About the ICGEB SAWBP PhD Fellowship Programme: South African Women in Biotechnology Programme PhD Fellowship Organisation: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Partner: South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation Research location: ICGEB Cape Town Component Study level: PhD Field: Biotechnology Duration: Three years Monthly stipend: ZAR 16,500 Tuition: University of Cape Town tuition fees provided Mobility: Additional support available Mobility locations: Trieste, Italy, and New Delhi, India Eligibility: Female South African citizens or permanent residents Identification requirement: Valid South African ID number Preference: Black and disabled applicants Research areas: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, and Virology Performance condition: Fellowship continuation depends on satisfactory performance Required endorsement: ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader Required documents: CV, detailed project proposal, MSc proof or intended thesis submission letter Frequently Asked Questions What is the ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology PhD Fellowship? It is a doctoral fellowship programme supporting South African women undertaking innovative biotechnology research at the ICGEB Cape Town Component. Who runs the SAWBP PhD Fellowship? The programme is a partnership between the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. How much is the monthly stipend? Fellows receive a stipend of ZAR 16,500 per month. How long does the fellowship last? The fellowship provides support for three years, subject to satisfactory performance. Does the fellowship cover tuition fees? Yes. University of Cape Town tuition fees are provided. Can fellows conduct research outside South Africa? Yes. Additional mobility support is available for fellows to conduct research at other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy, and New Delhi, India. What research areas are eligible? Eligible research areas are Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, and Virology. Who is eligible to apply? The fellowship is open to female applicants who are South African citizens or permanent residents with a valid South African ID number. Is preference given to particular applicants? Yes. Preference is given to Black and disabled applicants. Do applicants need an MSc degree? Applicants must provide proof of an MSc degree or a letter confirming their intention to submit their MSc thesis. Is an endorsement required? Yes. Applicants must submit a letter of endorsement from an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader. What documents are required? Applicants must submit an endorsement letter from an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader, a CV, a detailed project proposal, and proof of MSc degree or a letter confirming their intention to submit their MSc thesis. Does the programme provide mentoring? Yes. The programme encourages mentoring and peer-to-peer learning as part of the research and professional development environment. Does the fellowship support international scientific exposure? Yes. Fellows can benefit from immersion in an international scientific research environment and may receive mobility support for research at ICGEB Components in Trieste and New Delhi. Conclusion The ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme PhD Fellowship provides South African women with an opportunity to pursue innovative doctoral research in biotechnology while receiving substantial financial and professional support. The fellowship provides University of Cape Town tuition fees and a monthly stipend of ZAR 16,500 for three years, subject to satisfactory performance. Additional mobility support can allow fellows to conduct research at ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy, and New Delhi, India. Research proposals must fall within one of five eligible areas: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, or Virology. Eligible applicants must be female South African citizens or permanent residents with a valid South African ID number. Applicants must also provide an ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader endorsement, CV, detailed project proposal, and MSc degree evidence or confirmation of their intention to submit their MSc thesis. For women seeking to build a research career in biotechnology, the fellowship combines doctoral research, financial support, mentoring, peer learning, and international scientific mobility. For more information, visit ICFEB.