The ESIMSAD (Electrochemical Solar cells with Ionic Materials for Sustainable African Development) project invites applications from South African nationals currently registered for Master’s or PhD degrees at universities in South Africa.

This opportunity enables selected students to spend 6 to 12 months undertaking part of their postgraduate research or coursework at one of the ESIMSAD partner universities in Ethiopia or Nigeria:

  • Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia
  • Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU), Ethiopia
  • University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

For full programme details, visit the official website: Online Applications – ESIMSAD

Degree Level

Credit-seeking mobility opportunity for Master’s (MSc) and Doctoral (PhD) students.

Deadline

15 August 2025

Fields of Study

Applicants must be pursuing studies or research in one of the following fields:

  • Materials Science
  • Solar Energy Physics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Electrochemistry and Energy Technologies
  • Physical Chemistry

Who can apply?

You must:

  • Be a South African citizen
  • Be currently registered for an MSc or PhD degree at a university in South Africa
  • Be pursuing studies or research aligned with the listed fields
  • Intend to spend 6 to 12 months at one of the ESIMSAD partner universities in Ethiopia or Nigeria

 What the Scholarship Covers?

  • Roundtrip flight ticket and visa costs
  • Participation fees (e.g., tuition, registration, service fees)
  • Comprehensive travel insurance (health, accident, travel)
  • Monthly subsistence allowance
  • Settling-in allowance
  • Research costs for stays of 10+ months (based on proposal and actual research needs)
  • Additional support for female students for mobilities of two academic years or longer (extra allowance and second return ticket)

Application Process

To apply for the ESIMSAD credit-seeking scholarship as a South African MSc or PhD student:

  • Start by visiting the ESIMSAD Online Application Portal: https://esimsad.org/index.php/online-applications/
  • Carefully read all the application guidelines before proceeding.
    You must first consult the “Before You Apply” document available on the programme website. This guide outlines the eligibility criteria, application steps, required templates, and tips for a successful application.

Required Documents

MSc Credit-Seeking Applicants

  • Valid passport or South African ID
  • Proof of current Master’s registration at your home university
  • MSc academic transcript
  • Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript
  • CV (max 4 pages)
  • Two motivation letters (if applying to 2 host universities)
  • Two reference letters (including one from your supervisor)
  • Tentative study plan(s) – 1 per host university (template available on website)
  • Signed Intra-Africa Award Declaration
  • Pre-acceptance letter from host university (compulsory)
  • Other supporting documents (e.g., language certificates, proof of disadvantaged status, etc.)

PhD Credit-Seeking Applicants

  • Valid passport or South African ID
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s certificates with transcripts
  • CV (max 4 pages)
  • Motivation letter(s) – 1 per host university
  • Research proposal(s) – 1 per host university
  • Two reference letters (including one from MSc supervisor)
  • Pre-acceptance letter from host university (compulsory)
  • Signed Intra-Africa Award Declaration
  • Other supporting documents as applicable

Contact

Visit the programme website: http://pointsud.org/programme

Documents and Links

Programme website

Application portal

Previous Intra-Africa/ACP Award Declaration Form

Before You apply guide

Note

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Print