NRF Funding: Invitation to apply!

Possible Bursary Support for Full Time M.Ed and PhD Studies in Environment and Sustainability Education

As we increasingly grapple with pressing socio-ecological problems both locally and globally, environmental education has never been more important. The DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Global Change and Social Learning Systems is inviting prospective Masters and PhD candidates to apply for DSI/NRF Bursaries under the DSI/NRF research programme of the SARChI Chair and Environmental Learning Research Centre (the ELRC). 

Scholars are invited to apply to the M.Ed programme in Regenerative African Futures and Education for Sustainable Development (see the study page for more information on research themes and key areas of research) or the PhD programme in Global Change and Social Learning Systems (see the study page for more information on research themes and key areas of research). Both programmes are hosted in the Environmental Learning Research Centre which is based in the Faculty of Education at Rhodes University. 

The Environmental Learning Research Centre and Chair has research programmes focusing on: 

• Regenerative African Futures and Education for Sustainable Development
• Transforming Education for Sustainable Futures with Environment and Sustainability Education 
• Global Change and Social Learning Systems 
• African Youth Futures, Environmental Justice and Sustainability Education 
• Transgressive, transformative learning approaches
• Skills development for Just Transitions in the Water, Energy and Food systems. 

All programmes of the Environmental Learning Research Centre focus on integrating environmental and social justice into education and learning systems. These can be in formal or informal education and learning systems.  

Our research programmes also support development of digital and arts-based methods, as well as curriculum innovation, teacher education support and skills system development across the educational landscape including Early Childhood Education, Primary and Secondary Education, Higher Education as well as TVET and workplace, adult and community education settings. 

Please visit the NRF website to familiarise yourself with the NRF Application Procedures and requirements.  

To qualify for DSI/NRF Masters bursaries you need to be 30 years or younger, and for PhD bursaries you need to be 32 years or younger. In all cases you need to have 65% or above in your previous degree. 

Rhodes University Internal Closing Dates for First Time Masters and Doctoral Bursary applicants for 2025 study is 21 June 2024.

Important note:

If you are planning to apply for a DSI/NRF Bursary under the SARChI Chair, please follow the following guidelines: 

1. Submit a concept note of 500 words (Masters scholars) and 750 words (PhD scholars) to Distinguished Professor Lotz-Sisitka ON OR BEFORE 14 JUNE 2024.  E-mail:  h.lotz-sisitka@ru.ac.za. Please indicate in the email header ‘INTEREST IN BURSARY APPLICATION’ and copy Samantha Abdul on s.abdul@ru.ac.za 
2. Based on the quality and relevance of your concept note in relation to the above mentioned research programmes, you will be invited to an online seminar on Monday 17 JUNE 2024 from 11:00 – 13:00 where we will provide you with further guidance to complete the online NRF Application form by 21 JUNE 2024.  NB:  This is a vitally important step to be included in the SARChI Chair NRF cohort of prospective NRF scholars.
3. From here, you can then continue with completing the full NRF online application. You can, however, make a start on some of the more general sections before 17 June 2024. 

GUIDELINES FOR YOUR CONCEPT NOTE: 

• Please provide a title for your proposed project 
• Please provide a short abstract for your project 
• Please provide a project outline that describes the relevance of your research, as well as the methods you plan to use – see further details for M.Ed and PhD studies below. 

Project Outline for Masters Applications: Minimum of 3000 characters / Maximum of 4500 characters (roughly 500 to 1100 words).

Project Outline for PhD Applications:  NRF Application Details of research – Doctoral application:  Outline your concept proposal as follows: 

• Potential Impact: Minimum of 1000 characters / Maximum of 2000 characters (150 to 500 words) 
• Problem Statement: Minimum of 1000 characters / Maximum of 2000 characters (150 to 500 words)
• Aims and Objectives: Minimum of 3000 characters / Maximum of 4500 characters  (450 - 1100 words) 
• NB:  The concept note should be professionally prepared, and should draw on / reference good quality literature in the field that is relevant to your intended area of study. 

Should your concept note be relevant to the Chair’s research programmes, we will then invite you to submit your application to the NRF by 21 June 2024 under the Chair’s UID (special reference number) and we will also allocate you a supervisor and a supervisor's letter of support which is necessary for finalising the NRF application by 21 June 2024.  

Please note that applying to the NRF does not guarantee award of the bursary. There is a rigorous selection process that follows the submission of the application, and results of the review process normally come available towards the end of the year.