KAS-SAIIA-Scholarship 2027

🟢 OPEN — KAS-SAIIA Scholarship applications for 2027 close on 1 September 2026.

Looking for the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship for 2027, its eligibility requirements or the online application? The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship is a postgraduate opportunity for prospective Master’s students who want to combine their studies with practical research and policy experience at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

The scholarship is funded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and administered through SAIIA. For 2027, applicants can apply for either the Johannesburg or Cape Town programme, depending on their intended Master’s programme and research interests.

Important: The current application deadline is 1 September 2026. This means applicants who have not yet submitted their applications need to act immediately.

Updated: 1 September 2026 – KAS-SAIIA Scholarship information checked against the current SAIIA 2027 scholarship announcement.

Is the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Open?

Yes. The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship is currently open for the 2027 academic year.

Applications for the 2027 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship opened on 29 July 2026 and the closing date is 1 September 2026.

The opportunity is available for both the Johannesburg and Cape Town programmes. However, applicants must choose one programme because dual applications will not be considered.

If you are interested in applying, do not wait for your university admission status to be finalised if it is still pending. The current SAIIA announcement states that applicants whose university application status remains unclear at the scholarship deadline should still proceed with the scholarship application and explain the situation in their cover letter.

What Fields of Study Does the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Cover?

The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship is aimed at prospective Master’s students in selected humanities and social sciences fields.

For the Johannesburg programme, the scholarship supports Master’s studies in:

• International Relations
• Development Studies
• Political Science
• Economics
• Law
• Journalism
• Related humanities and social sciences disciplines

The Johannesburg programme is linked to SAIIA’s research work in areas including economic resilience, African diplomacy and governance.

The Cape Town programme is specifically aimed at Master’s studies in Political Science at the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University or the University of the Western Cape.

The Cape Town office focuses on research areas including climate change, futures and foresight.

Applicants should therefore consider their intended Master’s qualification and research interests carefully before selecting Johannesburg or Cape Town.

What Are the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Requirements?

You should meet the minimum eligibility requirements before submitting an application. The current 2027 programme requires applicants to satisfy the following conditions:

• You must be 30 years old or younger.
• You must intend to study towards a Master’s degree in 2027 in one of the eligible fields.
• You must intend to study at one of the eligible universities.
• You must meet the Master’s degree admission requirements of your selected university.
• You must apply for either the Johannesburg or Cape Town programme, not both.
• You must not have already completed the first year of your Master’s programme.

The scholarship is therefore not intended for students who have already completed their first year of Master’s study.

Applicants should also make sure that their proposed Master’s qualification matches the programme they are applying for. The university admission requirements remain important because meeting the scholarship criteria does not replace the university’s own admission requirements.

Which Universities Are Eligible for the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship?

The scholarship is linked to four South African universities:

• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• University of Cape Town (UCT)
• Stellenbosch University (SU)
• University of the Western Cape (UWC)

Wits is associated with the Johannesburg programme, while UCT, Stellenbosch University and UWC are associated with the Cape Town programme.

What Does the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Cover?

The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship provides financial support as well as practical professional development during the programme.

• Full tuition fees
• Monthly stipend towards living costs and accommodation
• Practical work experience through the SAIIA internship
• Mentorship from experienced researchers and professionals
• Development of research and methodological skills
• Development of writing, presentation and organisational skills
• Opportunities to contribute to or co-author SAIIA publications
• Exposure to SAIIA’s research and policy environment

The scholarship therefore offers more than university funding. Successful candidates become part of an internship and professional-development programme that combines Master’s-level study with practical experience.

The exact monthly rand value of the stipend is not specified in the current SAIIA 2027 announcement. For this reason, applicants should not rely on an unofficial fixed monthly allowance figure published elsewhere.

Is the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Fully Funded?

The programme provides a full bursary for tuition fees together with a monthly stipend for living costs and accommodation. The current official announcement does not publish a single fixed rand value for the entire scholarship.

What Is the Johannesburg or Cape Town KAS-SAIIA Programme?

One of the most important decisions applicants must make is whether to apply for the Johannesburg or Cape Town programme.

Johannesburg programme: This programme is associated with Master’s study at Wits and focuses on areas connected to SAIIA’s Johannesburg research environment, including economic resilience, African diplomacy and governance.

Cape Town programme: This programme is associated with Master’s study in Political Science at UCT, Stellenbosch University or UWC. The Cape Town office focuses on areas including climate change, futures and foresight research.

Applicants should study SAIIA’s research offerings before making their choice. Your intended Master’s programme and research interests should make sense in relation to the office you select.

Important: You may apply to only one programme. Applying for both Johannesburg and Cape Town will not be considered.

What Documents Are Required for the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship?

Applicants should prepare their supporting information and documents before beginning the online application. The current application information requires applicants to provide material demonstrating their academic background, writing ability, motivation and research interests.

• Support or endorsement letter from a current lecturer for enrolment into a Master’s programme
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) including at least one additional written reference
• Full academic record to date
• Two samples of your own writing
• Motivational letter explaining why you are applying and why you should be selected
• Research area of interest or potential Master’s dissertation topic

The motivational letter should be no longer than one page or 750 words, while the research area or potential dissertation topic should be limited to 100 words.

If your university application is still pending when the scholarship application deadline arrives, you may still submit the scholarship application. Explain the status of your university application in your cover letter as instructed by SAIIA.

How Do I Apply for the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship?

The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship 2027 application is submitted online.

Before starting the application, decide whether you are applying for the Johannesburg or Cape Town programme and confirm that your intended Master’s qualification and university correspond with that programme.

1. Review the 2027 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship requirements.
2. Choose either the Johannesburg or Cape Town programme.
3. Review the relevant SAIIA research areas and select the programme that best matches your academic and career interests.
4. Apply for admission to the relevant Master’s programme at your selected university if you have not already done so.
5. Prepare your CV, academic record, writing samples, reference and other required documents.
6. Write your motivational letter and research-interest statement carefully.
7. Complete the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship online application.
8. Upload or provide all requested supporting information.
9. Review your application carefully before submitting it.
10. Submit the application before 1 September 2026.

Official application: KAS-SAIIA Scholarship 2027 – SAIIA

Do not submit applications for both Johannesburg and Cape Town. SAIIA states that dual applications will not be considered.

Can I Apply If My University Admission Is Still Pending?

Yes. If your application or admission status at the relevant university remains unclear by the scholarship deadline, SAIIA advises prospective scholars to proceed with the scholarship application and explain the situation in their cover letter.

When Is the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Closing Date?

The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship 2027 closing date is 1 September 2026.

The application period opened on 29 July 2026. Because the closing date is 1 September 2026, applicants who are still preparing their documents should submit their application as soon as possible.

Do not confuse the 2027 deadline with closing dates from previous KAS-SAIIA scholarship cycles. The current 2027 SAIIA announcement takes priority.

What Happens After You Apply?

Submitting an application does not automatically mean that you will receive the scholarship. Applications are assessed and successful candidates are selected for the programme.

Successful KAS-SAIIA scholars participate in an internship at SAIIA from 1 February to 30 November 2027 while pursuing their Master’s studies.

The programme is strongly focused on practical output and professional development. Scholars are assigned mentors and receive support in developing their research, methodological, writing, presentation and organisational skills.

Scholars are also encouraged to contribute to SAIIA’s publications, including opportunities to co-author articles.

Does the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Have an Obligation After Completion?

The current 2027 SAIIA announcement does not state that successful scholars must repay the scholarship after completing the programme or that they are required to work for KAS or SAIIA permanently after completion.

However, the scholarship is not simply a tuition payment. Successful candidates are expected to participate in the SAIIA internship and the associated research and professional-development activities during the programme period.

Applicants should read the current scholarship terms and any offer or agreement carefully before accepting an award, as specific programme conditions may apply.

Why Is the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Different From a Normal Postgraduate Bursary?

The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship combines Master’s-level study, financial support and practical research experience.

Instead of receiving funding solely to attend university, successful candidates work within SAIIA’s research environment during the programme. They are exposed to policy research, writing, presentation and professional networks while completing their Master’s studies.

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to students interested in careers involving international affairs, government, public policy, research, diplomacy, development, journalism, academia and related fields.

How Can I Contact the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Provider?

The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship is a partnership between the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

For queries relating to the scholarship and application process, applicants can contact SAIIA:

• Telephone: 011 339 2021
• Email: internships@saiia.org.za
• Organisation: South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)

Applicants should use the current SAIIA scholarship information when making enquiries and should avoid relying on contact details published on older scholarship pages.

Frequently Asked Questions About the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship

What is the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship?
The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship is a postgraduate scholarship programme funded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and run in partnership with the South African Institute of International Affairs. It combines Master’s study with an internship and professional development at SAIIA.

Is the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship open for 2027?
Yes. Applications for the 2027 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship are currently open, with a closing date of 1 September 2026.

What is the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship closing date?
The closing date for the 2027 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship is 1 September 2026.

Who can apply for the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship?
Applicants must be no older than 30 years, intend to study towards an eligible Master’s degree in 2027, meet the Master’s admission requirements of their chosen university, and have not already completed the first year of their Master’s programme.

What can I study with the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship?
The Johannesburg programme covers Master’s studies in International Relations, Development Studies, Political Science, Economics, Law, Journalism and related humanities and social sciences disciplines. The Cape Town programme is for Master’s studies in Political Science.

Which universities are included in the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship?
The programme is linked to the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and University of the Western Cape.

How much is the KAS-SAIIA monthly allowance?
Successful candidates receive a monthly stipend to cover living costs and accommodation. The current 2027 SAIIA announcement does not specify a fixed monthly rand amount.

Does the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship cover tuition fees?
Yes. Successful candidates receive a full bursary for their tuition fees, together with a monthly stipend for living costs and accommodation.

Can I apply for both the Johannesburg and Cape Town KAS-SAIIA programmes?
No. Applicants must choose either Johannesburg or Cape Town. SAIIA states that dual applications will not be considered.

Can I apply if my Master’s university admission is still pending?
Yes. If your university application status remains unclear at the scholarship deadline, you can still submit the scholarship application and explain the situation in your cover letter.

Can postgraduate students who have already completed their first year of Master’s study apply?
No. Students who have already completed the first year of their Master’s programme are not eligible for the internship.

What documents are required for the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship?
The application requires a support or endorsement letter from a current lecturer, a CV with an additional written reference, a full academic record, two writing samples, a motivational letter and a research area of interest or potential Master’s dissertation topic.

How long does the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship programme run?
The internship component runs from 1 February to 30 November 2027.

Is the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship fully funded?
It provides a full bursary for tuition fees and a monthly stipend for living costs and accommodation. The programme also provides practical research experience and mentorship.

Does the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship guarantee employment after completion?
No. The programme provides practical experience, mentorship and professional development, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed permanent employment offer.

Apply for the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship 2027

The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship 2027 is an opportunity for prospective Master’s students who want to combine postgraduate study with practical research and policy experience.

The programme provides full tuition funding, a monthly stipend for living costs and accommodation, mentorship and an internship at SAIIA. Applicants can apply through either the Johannesburg or Cape Town programme, depending on their intended Master’s study and research interests.

Official application information: KAS-SAIIA Scholarship 2027 – SAIIA

If you meet the requirements, prepare your supporting documents and submit your application before the closing date.

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