PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) PhD Scholarship

RSIF funding is tied to five Priority Thematic Areas: ICT (including big data and artificial intelligence), food security and agri-business, minerals, mining and materials engineering, energy (including renewables), and climate change. Applicants must propose or align their doctoral research with one of these themes, ensuring that RSIF-funded work feeds directly into practical, economically relevant outcomes for the continent rather than purely theoretical research.

A distinguishing feature of the program is its 'sandwich' structure: PhD scholars spend the bulk of their 3-4 year program at an African Host University but also complete a 6-12 month placement (for some cohorts up to 24 months) at an international partner university, gaining exposure to advanced labs, equipment, and collaborators that may not yet be available on the continent, before returning to complete and defend their doctorate in Africa.

Because RSIF is explicitly designed to strengthen African universities and reduce brain drain, eligibility is restricted to citizens of sub-Saharan African countries. Applicants must already hold a relevant master's degree and meet the specific admission standards of their chosen African Host University, in addition to the RSIF-wide criteria (age generally 35 or under, no concurrent doctoral enrollment elsewhere, and willingness to commit full-time to the program).

Funding covers tuition and fees, a living stipend, research costs, travel, and medical insurance for the full duration of study, including the international sandwich placement. Successful graduates also gain access to RSIF's post-PhD research and innovation grants, giving them a pathway to continue applied research in Africa after completing their doctorate rather than emigrating for opportunities elsewhere.