The PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) PhD Scholarship is a fully funded doctorate in applied science, run through a network of African Host Universities. Scholars research one of five priority themes (ICT, agriculture, energy, mining or climate change) and spend part of the degree at an international partner university. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing.
Before going any further, Pakistani readers need one fact up front: RSIF is restricted to citizens of sub-Saharan African countries. A Pakistani passport does not qualify, and there is no route around this rule. If you hold only Pakistani citizenship, read this guide to understand how the program works, then put your energy into scholarships that actually accept you. If you also hold citizenship of a sub-Saharan African country, the rest of this guide is written for you.
The RSIF PhD in one table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded: tuition, monthly stipend, research costs, travel, medical insurance |
| Level | PhD only |
| Fields | ICT (including AI and big data), food security and agri-business, minerals, mining and materials engineering, energy, climate change |
| Where you study | African Host Universities across several sub-Saharan countries, plus a placement at an international partner university |
| Who is eligible | Citizens of sub-Saharan African countries only |
| Deadline | September 30 (5:00 pm East Africa Time) for the current call; check the official portal each year, as dates move between calls |
| Provider | RSIF, hosted by ICIPE and supported by the World Bank and African governments |
| Official site | rsif-paset.org |
Why PASET built a scholarship that keeps PhDs in Africa
PASET (the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology) is led by African governments. It exists because the continent has a shortage of highly trained specialists in applied sciences, engineering and technology. RSIF is its main funding tool, paying for PhD scholars and postdoctoral researchers at designated African universities.
The design choices all point the same way. The degree is registered in Africa. The research has to serve national or regional development priorities. Graduates can apply for RSIF post-PhD research and innovation grants, which gives them a reason to keep working on the continent instead of emigrating. That is why the citizenship rule is so firm: the program is explicitly meant to reduce brain drain, so it funds Africans to build careers in Africa.
This also tells you who the scholarship suits. It fits a researcher who wants applied, practical work with a clear economic payoff. It is a poor fit for someone who wants open-ended theoretical research, or who sees the PhD mainly as a ticket to a career outside Africa.
The five priority themes and why your proposal must name one
RSIF only funds doctoral research that aligns with one of its five Priority Thematic Areas:
- ICT, including big data and artificial intelligence
- Food security and agri-business
- Minerals, mining and materials engineering
- Energy, including renewables
- Climate change
The common mistake here is treating the theme as a box to tick. Reviewers want to see a research question that leads to a practical outcome in one of these areas. A concept note on machine learning in general is weaker than one that applies it to, say, a specific agricultural or energy problem the region faces. Say plainly which theme you are applying under and why your project belongs there.
How the sandwich placement works
The most distinctive part of RSIF is its sandwich structure. Scholars spend most of a 3-4 year PhD at their African Host University, then complete a placement at an international partner university, usually 6-12 months and up to 24 months for some cohorts. The point is access to advanced labs, equipment and collaborators that may not yet exist at the home institution. After the placement, the scholar returns to Africa to finish and defend the doctorate.
The placement is a requirement, not an option. You must be willing to spend that time abroad, and the exact length depends on your cohort, so confirm it with RSIF and your Host University. Arrangements for the placement are coordinated later in the program, but it pays to start reading about partner universities in your field early.
What the funding pays for, start to finish
Coverage runs for the full duration of study, including the international placement. It includes:
- Full tuition and fees at the African Host University
- A monthly living stipend for the length of the PhD
- Research costs and materials
- Travel costs, including travel for the sandwich placement
- Medical insurance
The source does not publish stipend amounts. Because Host Universities sit in different countries, the cost of living, research environment and even the language of instruction depend heavily on where you are placed. Check these details for your specific Host University before you accept an offer.
The eligibility rules, read carefully
To apply you need to meet both the RSIF-wide criteria and the admission standards of the Host University you choose. The RSIF criteria are:
- Citizenship of a sub-Saharan African country
- A relevant master's degree in a field aligned with one of the five themes
- Age generally 35 or below (the word "generally" matters, so confirm the exact rule in the current call)
- No current enrollment in another PhD program, and the ability to commit full-time
- Willingness to complete the international sandwich placement
Note that a master's degree is a firm requirement. Applicants coming straight from a bachelor's degree are not eligible for the PhD scholarship.
What goes into the application file
- The completed online RSIF application form
- Master's degree certificate and transcripts
- A research concept note or proposal aligned with a PASET priority theme
- Your CV
- Letters of recommendation
- A valid passport or national ID that confirms your citizenship
The concept note carries the most weight, since it is where you prove the thematic fit. Give your referees enough time and enough information about your proposed research that their letters can speak to it. For general advice on assembling academic files, our scholarship documents checklist covers the basics that apply to most programs.
Applying through the portal, from call to enrollment
RSIF works in numbered calls, and each call can change the deadline and the list of available Host Universities. The process runs like this:
- Read the current call for applications and confirm your thematic area and the Host Universities open to you.
- Register on the RSIF online platform at rsif-paset.org/calls. Email and hardcopy applications are not accepted.
- Upload your concept note, transcripts, CV and recommendation letters before the deadline.
- Go through evaluation. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed in a process coordinated by RSIF and the Host University.
- If you are awarded, register with the Host University and start the PhD. Sandwich placement arrangements follow later.
When each stage happens
Calls usually open mid-year, though the timing varies by call number. For the current call, the deadline is September 30 at 5:00 pm East Africa Time. Shortlisting and interviews take place over several weeks after the deadline, and enrollment follows the Host University's academic calendar. The sandwich placement comes mid-program.
Treat any specific date as tied to one call only. Check the official calls page for the current call number and its deadline instead of assuming last year's date still holds.
Where strong applicants still go wrong
Most failed applications come down to a few avoidable problems. The first is not checking citizenship eligibility before investing time. The second is a vague proposal that never clearly connects to one of the five themes. The third is ignoring the Host University's own admission requirements, which apply on top of RSIF's.
One practical step many applicants skip is contacting the target Host University early to confirm that a supervisor is available in their research area. A strong proposal with no one to supervise it is a weak application. And watch the call number on the RSIF website, since the list of participating Host Universities can change from one call to the next.
For Pakistani students without African citizenship, the honest advice is to move on. Our scholarships guide for Pakistani students lists fully funded PhD options that are open to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the RSIF PhD scholarship?
No, not on a Pakistani passport alone. RSIF is restricted to citizens of sub-Saharan African countries. Someone who also holds citizenship of a sub-Saharan African country would need to apply on that citizenship.
Do I need a master's degree?
Yes. You must hold a relevant master's degree in a field aligned with one of the five priority themes, and meet the Host University's own admission rules.
How long is the sandwich placement?
It is typically 6-12 months at an international partner university, and up to 24 months for some cohorts. Confirm the length for your cohort with RSIF and your Host University.
Is there an age limit?
Applicants are generally expected to be 35 or below. Check the exact wording in the current call before applying.
Can I send my application by email?
No. RSIF accepts applications only through its online portal and rejects email and hardcopy submissions.
What happens after I finish the PhD?
RSIF graduates can apply for the program's post-PhD research and innovation grants to continue applied research in Africa.
For the current call, deadline and Host University list, go to the official RSIF website, and see the full RSIF scholarship page for a summary.