The HPI Fellowships at the University of Cape Town are open for 2026 applications, with a deadline of 15 Aug 2026. This annual programme supports qualifying PhD and postdoctoral researchers from the African continent who are working in digital health. The fellowship is offered through the School of Information Technology and the School of Public Health at UCT.
Importantly, the funding is substantial. PhD students will receive tuition and registration fees and a bursary of ZAR 262,200/year or ZAR 21,850/month; postdoctoral fellows will receive ZAR 300,000–380,000, commensurate with their experience; up to ZAR 28,500 once-off equipment allowance; up to ZAR 38,000 per annum for conference travel.
 Application Deadline:
- 15 August 2026 (for 2026 intake)
- 15 August annually (for 2027 intake, starting February 2027)
Tell Me About the Fellowship:
The HPI–UCT Digital Health Partnership annually awards PhD and Postdoctoral fellowships to qualified students from the African continent.
The program supports advanced research in digital health, hosted at the School of Information Technology (SIT) and the School of Public Health (SPH) at the University of Cape Town.
Which Fields are Eligible?
Research areas include:
- Health Information Exchanges
- Electronic Medical Records
- AI in Health (including ethics and safety)
- Community-driven Digital Health
- Computational Science
- Health Systems & Processes
- Climate Change & Health
- Data Governance & NLP Applications
Type:
- PhD & Postdoctoral Fellowship | Africa | Fully Funded (Tuition + Stipend + Research Support)
Who can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be citizens of African countries.
- PhD applicants: Hold a Master’s degree with a strong dissertation.
- Postdoctoral applicants: Hold a Doctoral degree.
- For SIT registration: degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
- For SPH registration: degree in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Systems, Health Economics, or related field, or a clinical discipline with research expertise.
- Be proficient in English (TOEFL ≥ 570 paper-based / IELTS ≥ 7.0 overall). Exempt if medium of education was English.
- Be prepared to study full-time in Cape Town, South Africa and secure a study visa.
How are Candidates Selected?
- Based on academic qualifications, research proposal alignment with supervisors, and prior publications.
- Teaching interest and community engagement are advantageous.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
- All African countries.
Where will the Fellowship be Taken?
- University of Cape Town, South Africa.
How Many Awards?
- Multiple PhD and Postdoctoral fellowships annually.
What is the Benefit of the Fellowship?
- PhD students:
- Tuition and registration fees.
- Bursary: ZAR 262,200/year (ZAR 21,850/month).
- Postdoctoral fellows:
- Stipend: ZAR 300,000–380,000/year (commensurate with experience).
- Additional support:
- Up to ZAR 28,500 equipment allowance (once-off).
- Up to ZAR 38,000 per annum for conference travel.
- Funding duration: up to 3 years, subject to progress.
How Long Will the Fellowship Last?
- Up to 3 years (depending on degree requirements and progress).
Required Documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (2–3 pages).
- Academic transcripts.
- TOEFL/IELTS results (if applicable).
- Research proposal (2–3 pages) with identified UCT supervisors.
- Single PDF file containing all documents.
How to Apply:
Deadline: 15 August 2026.
Identify potential supervisors at UCT (Computer Science, Information Systems, or Public Health).
Prepare required documents.
Submit a single PDF file via the UCT application portal: https://limesurvey.uct.ac.za/index.php/258499
👉 Visit the Application Webpage for Details
