The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is offering Biological Invasions Student Bursary for postgraduate students (Honours, Masters, and Doctoral levels) to conduct research related to biological invasions. These bursaries aim to support students in one of SANBI’s key focus areas.
Focus Areas for Research Projects
Projects should be relevant to one of the following SANBI focus areas:
- Status Report and Monitoring: Monitoring the status of biological invasions in South Africa.
- Incursion Detection and Response Planning: Developing systems to detect new invasions and planning responses.
- Eradication Planning and Coordination: Planning and coordinating efforts to remove invasive species.
- Risk Analysis: Assessing the risks of invasive species and their impacts on ecosystems.
- Taxonomy: Identifying and classifying invasive species.
For more detailed information, applicants can refer to the following resources:
For additional project options, it is advised to contact SANBI before submitting an application to ensure that your proposal is suitable for their research agenda.
Bursary Values
The Biological Invasions Student Bursary amounts vary depending on the level of study and cover both academic fees and additional funding:
- Honours: R60,000 plus academic fees.
- Masters: R115,000 plus academic fees.
- Doctoral: R161,000 plus academic fees.
Note: All bursaries are paid directly to the student, and academic fees are paid directly to the host institution after receipt of an invoice.
Internship Option for MSc and PhD Students
If a Master’s or PhD student is unable to complete their studies within the prescribed timeframe, they may be considered for a one-year project development internship.
In such cases:
- Candidates will be invited for an internship interview.
- Successful interns will need to re-apply for the bursary the following year.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Biological Invasions Student Bursary, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Nationality: Bursaries are available only to South African citizens.
- University Registration: Candidates must be registered at a South African university.
- Equity Targets: Preference will be given to students based at historically disadvantaged institutions, in line with national equity targets.
- Research Alignment: The project must align with SANBI’s focus areas.
Note: Project running expenses will be covered separately and vary based on the project’s needs and available funds.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following documents in a single PDF file:
- Application Cover Sheet: This form can be downloaded from the SANBI bursary page.
- Project Outline:
- One-page project outline for Honours applications.
- Two-page project outline for Masters and Doctoral applications.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV including academic achievements and relevant research experience.
- Letters of Reference: Two letters from academic supervisors endorsing the application.
- Statement of Support:
- From a prospective academic supervisor.
- From a SANBI staff member who will act as a contact or co-supervisor.
- Academic Records: Certified copies of the applicant’s full academic records.
- Degree Certificate: Certified copy of the applicant’s highest degree.
- ID Document: Certified copy of the applicant’s South African ID.
All documents must be sent to the following email addresses:
- Primary Email: students@sanbi.org.za
- Secondary Email: sanbi.dbi.bursaries@gmail.com
Tip: Free CV Templates that Pass the Applicant Tracking System
Key Contacts for Queries
- Academic Queries:
- Contact Prof John Wilson at jrwilson@sun.ac.za.
- Application Process Queries:
- Contact Ms René du Toit at r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za.
Important Notes
- Application Deadline: SANBI reserves the right not to fill the bursaries if suitable candidates are not found.
- Response Time: If applicants do not receive a response within 28 working days after the closing date, they should consider their application unsuccessful.
This Biological Invasions Student Bursary opportunity provides financial support to students who are passionate about contributing to the management and understanding of biological invasions in South Africa. It not only offers financial relief but also enables students to engage in meaningful research that supports SANBI’s mandate to protect South Africa’s biodiversity.