SANBI Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship South Africa 2025

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – SANBI

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) was first established in 2004 in accordance with the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act under the South African Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.

SANBI’s main aim is to conduct research and decimation of information pertaining to biodiversity as well as contribute to the country’s management of biodiversity resources. SANBI is also responsible for partaking in ecosystem rehabilitation and restoration. This ensures that the country’s National Botanical and Zoological gardens enhance the country’s biodiversity for educational and entertainment purposes.

ABOUT THE SANBI JOAN WRENCH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

SANBI is inviting students to apply for the Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship, for the 2025 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for Postgraduate: Honours, Masters and Doctoral (or equivalent NQF levels) studies, in projects relevant to SANBI’s mandate and research strategy, and identified as a priority. (Find the list of SANBI projects here. For other projects, please contact SANBI before submitting an application to check if your proposal is suitable.)

The Joan Wrench Scholarship, first established in 2018, aims to recognise successful academic achievement in the youth as well as provide them with the financial means to embark on practical training/ postgraduate studies within biodiversity fields. The scholarship is aimed at candidates who would like to make a difference and will be awarded in line with the national equity targets.
 

ABOUT THE SANBI JOAN WRENCH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE & SELECTION

The following are the scholarship values per programme. The funding will cover both living expenses and university fees, whilst the project running expenses will be covered separately.

• Honours programme: R120 000 for 1 year only.
• Masters programme: R150 000 per year for 2 years.
• Doctoral programme: R180 000 per year for 3 years.

All students must independently apply for university programmes, thereafter, the scholarship will be awarded once they have secured a placement in a post-graduate programme and have provisional acceptance from academic supervisors (please note, at least one of these supervisors must be from SANBI.) The majority of the research projects, as well as field sites, will be within the Western Cape and primarily, Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 28 days of the closing date – if you do not receive any feedback by this time, please consider your application unsuccessful.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SANBI JOAN WRENCH SCHOLARSHIP

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be under 35 years old at the time of application
• You must intend on studying full-time Honours, Masters or Doctoral (or equivalent NQF levels) studies in 2025 (existing studies will not be funded)
• You must be pursuing level of study for the first time (second Honours, Masters or Doctoral degree will not be funded)
• Masters students: you must hold an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma
• Your project of study must be relevant to SANBI’s mandate and research strategy, and identified as a priority
• Your focus of research projects, including field sites must be within the Cape Floristic Region
• You must be studying or intend on studying at any university in South Africa
• You must be accepted or provisionally accepted by an academic supervisor (contact the SANBI and university supervisors for endorsement prior to applying)
• You must be willing to stay in the Western Cape for at least three (3) months of the study period for field work and face to face consultation with SANBI supervisors (where relevant)
• You must be pro-active, enthusiastic, and interested in doing excellent research that can make a difference
• You must NOT be employed
• You must NOT be receiving any other full scholarships or bursaries (students who hold partial scholarships/bursaries, co-funding will be considered)

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SANBI JOAN WRENCH SCHOLARSHIP

Applicants must be submitted online at: SANBI Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship Application 2025

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• Completed application cover sheet (above)
• ID Document (certified copy)
• Letter of interest
• Full and updated Curriculum Vitae
• Academic records/ transcripts (certified copies)
• Highest qualification (certified copy)
• Provisional registration/ application from your university (on institutes letterhead)
• Project outline (1 page for Honours and 2 pages for Masters and Doctoral)
• 2 academic letters of reference
• Letter from a future university supervisor and SANBI supervisor showing their willingness to supervise

CLOSING DATE FOR THE SANBI JOAN WRENCH SCHOLARSHIP

4 October 2024 (at 16:00).
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact SANBI directly:
For academic queries:
Contact Person: Dr Ferozah Conrad
Email: f.conrad@sanbi.org.za

For application queries:
Contact Person: Rene’ du Toit
Email: r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za

Please do NOT contact SANBI if this bursary has already closed.