Canon Collins Trust Scholarships 2026 – Fully Funded for Southern African Students

Canon Collins Trust has been running scholarship programmes for southern African candidates since 1981, supporting more than 4,000 scholars from 14 southern African countries. Today, the Trust runs undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship programmes for study in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, and Malawi.

Each year, more than 100 leaders are enabled to study at postgraduate level. If you are looking for similar opportunities in Africa, explore fully funded scholarships in South Africa for international students.

About the Scholarships

Canon Collins Trust believes that tertiary education is both empowering for individuals and transformative for societies. Scholars must demonstrate their commitment to social justice and share the Trust’s values of agency, learning, collaboration, solidarity, and fairness. Canon Collins scholars are at the forefront of research, activism, and leadership in southern Africa.

The Trust enables talented individuals to pursue postgraduate and doctoral studies to help shape southern African knowledge economies through dedicated research, while combatting critical shortfalls in national development strategies.

For students seeking other funded programs across Africa, check latest scholarships in Africa for all nationalities.

The Context

Access to educational opportunities beyond the age of 18 remains severely unequal in southern Africa. Within the South African academic community, only 14% of professors are black, with black women representing only 2%.

The demand for tertiary education, however, is high. Returns on investing in a university education are significant, and there is a real desire among southern Africans to extend their studies for reasons of both professional development and advancing change in society through enhanced expertise.

Eligibility Criteria

Scholarships are open to candidates from southern African countries. Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice and align with the Trust’s values. Through a bespoke online selection process run by the scholarships department and trained assessors using a common scoring matrix, candidates are evaluated on their academic merit, leadership potential, and dedication to making a difference in their communities.

Scholarship Benefits

Selected scholars receive financial support for tuition fees, living expenses, and research costs. The exact benefits vary by scholarship programme and host institution. Scholarships are available for undergraduate and postgraduate (master’s and PhD) studies at partner universities in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, and Malawi.

How to Apply

Application details and specific deadlines are published on the Canon Collins Trust website. Applicants must complete an online application form and submit supporting documents, including academic transcripts, references, and a personal statement outlining their commitment to social justice and their proposed area of study.

For additional financial aid options across Africa, explore financial aids for students in Africa.

Final Thoughts

Canon Collins Trust scholarships provide life‑changing opportunities for southern African students who are committed to social justice and leadership.

With a mission to expand its presence and welcome more aspiring researchers and activists into its ever‑growing network of change agents, the Trust invites applications from exceptional individuals. Check the official website for specific deadlines and application requirements.

For a complete list of open scholarships in Africa, visit list of all open scholarships in Africa.

Apply Now for Canon Collins Trust Scholarships