SANBI Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship South Africa 2026

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.

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 citizenYou must be under 35 years old at the time of applicationYou must intend on studying full-time Honours, Masters or Doctoral (or equivalent NQF levels) studies in 2026 (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 DiplomaYour project of study must be relevant to SANBI’s mandate and research strategy, and identified as a priorityYour focus of research projects, including field sites must be within the Cape Floristic RegionYou must be studying or intend on studying at any university in South AfricaYou 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 differenceYou must NOT be employedYou must NOT be receiving any other full scholarships or bursaries (students who hold partial scholarships/bursaries, co-funding will be considered)

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Applicants must be submitted online at:SANBI Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship Application 2026 Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the SANBI Scholarship. 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 interestFull and updatedCurriculum VitaeAcademic 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 referenceLetter from a future university supervisor and SANBI supervisor showing their willingness to supervise