ICGEB 2025 South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship

The ICGEB-SAWBP PhD Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with the  South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation will support South African women researchers intending to study towards a PhD degree, in Biotechnology at the Cape Town Component.

The SAWBP programme promotes the interaction and mobility of South African women Biotechnology researchers and the ICGEB community, including mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India. Proposed doctoral research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology and Virology.

• Table of Content
• About International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
• South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship
• Requirements for South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)

Established under UNIDO in 1983, the ICGEB is a unique, autonomous, Intergovernmental Organisation, with biotech labs in Italy, India, and South Africa.

South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship

The Fellowships comprise a very attractive package:

• Immersion in a top class international scientific research environment
• Three-year PhD Fellowship
• Tuition and stipend
• Applying the latest techniques and methodologies to the applicant’s chosen research topic
• Opportunities for mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and complementary skills

Financial support

Duration: 3 years
Tuition fees at University of Cape Town & stipend: ZAR 219 749.00 per year

Stipend: The stipend will be covered from the remaining balance after the student’s university tuition fees are paid for the entire year.

Additional mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India, will be provided.

Requirements for South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship Qualification

• Female applicants only.
• Only South African citizens and South African Permanent Residents with a valid South African ID number may apply.
• Preference will be given to Black and disabled applicants.

Documents Required for Application

Email [email protected] with the following:

• Copy of South African ID
• CV
• Detailed project proposal
• Letter of endorsement from ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader
• Proof of MSc degree or letter confirming intention to submit MSc thesis from supervisor (Note: at time of award, proof of MSc degree is required before commencing Fellowship).

Application Deadline

How to Apply

A letter of endorsement from the ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader must be submitted with the application. Please note that the written statement from the ICGEB Group Leader you have contacted and who is willing to support your project is mandatory to apply.

The Group Leader at the chosen ICGEB Cape Town laboratory should be contacted in advance to discuss the proposed research project.

ICGEB Cape Town group lists.

Proposed research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, and Virology.

For more details, visit ICGEB Fellowship webpage