The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), has officially opened applications for the 2027 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Programme. This prestigious opportunity offers outstanding young graduates the chance to pursue a fully funded master’s degree while gaining practical policy research experience through an internship at one of Africa’s leading public policy think tanks.

Applications opened on 29 July 2026 and will close on 1 September 2026. The programme is available in Johannesburg and Cape Town, providing successful applicants with financial support for postgraduate studies alongside hands-on professional experience in international affairs, governance, public policy, and sustainable development.

The scholarship is designed to prepare the next generation of African policy leaders by combining academic excellence with practical research and policy engagement.

About the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Programme

The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Programme has been developing future leaders since 1999 through a long-standing partnership between the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the South African Institute of International Affairs.

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a German political foundation named after the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. Operating internationally, the foundation promotes democracy, political dialogue, civic education, and leadership development across the world.

Working alongside SAIIA, KAS supports talented postgraduate students by providing an integrated programme that combines academic study with professional policy research experience.

The internship runs annually from 1 February to 30 November, allowing scholars to complete coursework for their master’s degree while working closely with experienced researchers and policy experts.

Study Locations

Applicants may choose to apply for either the Johannesburg or Cape Town programme.

However, applicants are reminded that only one application is permitted, and dual applications will not be considered.

Each location offers distinct research opportunities aligned with SAIIA’s specialist programmes.

Johannesburg Office

The Johannesburg office focuses on several strategic research areas, including:

African diplomacy and governance.
Economic resilience.
International relations.
Foreign policy.
Governance and regional cooperation.

Students applying for Johannesburg should seek admission to the University of the Witwatersrand in a relevant master’s programme.

Cape Town Office

The Cape Town office specializes in research covering:

Climate change.
Futures and foresight studies.
Sustainable development.
Environmental governance.
Global policy challenges.

Applicants interested in the Cape Town programme must apply and obtain admission to a master’s programme within the Political Science departments at one of the following universities:

University of Cape Town.
Stellenbosch University.
University of the Western Cape.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to carefully review SAIIA’s research programmes before deciding which location best aligns with their academic interests and career goals.

Eligible Fields of Study

The scholarship supports coursework-based master’s degrees in a wide range of humanities and social science disciplines, including:

International Relations.
Development Studies.
Political Science.
Economics.
Law.
Journalism.
Related humanities and social science programmes.

The combination of academic learning and practical policy experience equips scholars with valuable analytical, research, and professional skills.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful candidates will receive comprehensive financial and professional support throughout the programme.

Benefits include:

Full tuition fee coverage.
Monthly living stipend.
Accommodation support.
Professional internship at SAIIA.
One-on-one mentoring from experienced policy researchers.
Opportunities to publish research.
Professional skills development.
Exposure to international policy networks.
Practical experience within one of Africa’s leading think tanks.

The programme is highly output-focused and prepares scholars for influential careers across government, academia, international organizations, civil society, diplomacy, and the private sector.

Professional Development Opportunities

Throughout the internship, scholars receive structured mentorship designed to strengthen their research capacity and policy expertise.

Participants are encouraged to:

Co-author articles for SAIIA publications.
Produce high-quality policy research.
Develop academic writing skills.
Strengthen research methodologies.
Improve public speaking and presentation abilities.
Build organizational and project management skills.
Expand professional networks across Africa and internationally.

Many former KAS-SAIIA scholars have progressed to senior positions within government institutions, international organizations, research institutes, diplomatic services, and the private sector.

Eligibility Requirements

Prospective applicants must satisfy several eligibility requirements before applying.

Applicants must:

Meet the admission requirements for a master’s degree at the relevant university.
Be 30 years old or younger.
Apply to either the Johannesburg or Cape Town programme only.
Secure admission, or be in the process of applying, to an eligible master’s programme.
Demonstrate strong academic performance and an interest in public policy, governance, or international affairs.

Applicants whose university admission decisions are still pending at the application deadline may still apply. They should clearly explain the status of their university application in their cover letter.

Ineligible Applicants

The following applicants are not eligible for the programme:

Students who have already completed the first year of a master’s degree.
Applicants submitting applications for both Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Individuals who do not meet master’s admission requirements at the participating universities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should complete the official online application form before the deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their university applications early and carefully review SAIIA’s research focus areas before selecting their preferred programme location.

Application Timeline

Key dates for the 2027 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Programme include:

Applications Open: 29 July 2026
Application Deadline: 1 September 2026
Internship Period: 1 February – 30 November 2027

The KAS-SAIIA Scholarship Programme offers an exceptional opportunity for aspiring policy professionals to combine postgraduate education with practical research experience while contributing to policy discussions that shape Africa’s future.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

Applications Open for 2027 KAS-SAIIA Scholarships in South Africa | Fully Funded Master’s and Internship Programme ·SAIIA Scholarships in South Africa | Fully Funded Master’s and Internship Programme