UKUDLA Master's Scholarships — Cohort 3, Sustainable Food Systems and Data Science (DAAD-Funded)
The UKUDLA centre (the African German Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science) invites applications for full-time master’s scholarships at two partner universities in South Africa: the University of Mpumalanga and the University of the Western Cape. The scholarships are funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), with funds from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, and support research where data science meets sustainable food systems.
Who can apply: this call is for Cohort 3 African candidates. Applicants should hold, or be close to completing, a bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Mathematics, Agricultural Sciences or another relevant quantitative discipline, with an average of 68% or higher in the first degree. The call also requires a completed four-year degree equivalent to BSc Hons with above-average results, a last degree completed no more than six years ago, basic statistics, machine learning, programming (preferably Python and/or R) and data-engineering knowledge, and English proficiency (TOEFL 79/80 or IELTS Band 6, or English as the language of instruction at least since secondary school). A letter of support from a potential master’s supervisor and two academic references are required, and the call’s residency/nationality condition (national or permanent resident, or a valid study visa) must be met. Strongly encouraged research areas are data science applied to food systems challenges, the Water-Energy-Food nexus, farming systems and animal sciences, and agricultural economics and policy.
Funding and terms: the scholarship pays a monthly stipend of €650 for up to 24 months (to the end of 2029 at the latest), plus a €30 per month rent subsidy where campus or residence accommodation is not provided, and a medical-aid contribution of up to €20 per month on proof of payment. Tuition fees are covered up to €3,000 per year. Holders join the UKUDLA Graduate Centre programme of modules, short courses, summer schools and workshops, and continuation into the second year depends on satisfactory progress. The scholarship starts on 1 February 2027, and successful candidates are informed before 30 November 2026.
How to apply: complete the UKUDLA master’s scholarship application form linked from the official call, with a signed research project proposal on the call’s form, a motivation statement, identification, certified degree certificates and transcripts, two academic recommendation letters, a supervisor support letter, and evidence of English proficiency. A letter of admission from the host university may follow before the scholarship begins.
