The RAPCAN Legacy Doctoral Scholarship Grant is a 2027 doctoral funding opportunity for full-time South African doctoral students researching child protection in South Africa. Applicants must meet UCT’s means test and demonstrate postgraduate academic excellence. The deadline is 10 November 2026.
Closing date: 10 November 2026
At a glance
- Sponsor/host: Resources and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (RAPCAN)
- Opportunity type: Doctoral scholarship grant
- Who it’s for: Full-time South African doctoral students who meet UCT’s financial means test, have demonstrated academic excellence at postgraduate level, and are researching child protection in South Africa.
- Study level: Doctoral
- Location: University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Academic year: 2027
- Closing date: 10 November 2026
- Last verified: 2026-10-03
High-value notes (read this first)
The call requires both the UCT online funding application and a separate email to pgfunding@uct.ac.za.
The separate email must include an abstract or concept of topic and a letter of support from your supervisor, and use the subject line RAPCAN 2027.
The award is not restricted to a particular academic discipline, but the research must contribute knowledge about child protection in South Africa.
Financial need is assessed according to UCT’s means test; postgraduate academic excellence is also required.
About the sponsor
Resources and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (RAPCAN) was a South African child-rights and protection organisation. UCT’s official historical account says RAPCAN’s Board of Directors created the scholarship to preserve the organisation’s legacy. UCT provides the current call and application route.
What it covers
The 2027 call does not specify the award amount, expenses covered or funding duration.
Eligible fields
- Child protection in South Africa
- Prevention of child abuse and neglect is particularly encouraged
- The award is not restricted to a particular academic discipline
Eligibility
- Be financially deserving according to UCT’s means test.
- Have demonstrated academic excellence at postgraduate level.
- Be a full-time South African doctoral student.
- Research must contribute knowledge relating to child protection in South Africa. Prevention of child abuse and neglect is particularly encouraged.
- The scholarship is not restricted to a particular academic discipline.
Documents to prepare
- Abstract or concept of topic
- Letter of support from supervisor
Closing date
10 November 2026
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not treat this as a scholarship restricted to one academic discipline; the call says it is not restricted to a particular discipline.
- Do not submit only the online funding application. The call also requires an email with your abstract or concept of topic and your supervisor’s letter of support.
- Use the email subject line RAPCAN 2027.
- Ensure your research concerns child protection in South Africa; prevention of child abuse and neglect is particularly encouraged.
How this opportunity was verified
Verified on 3 October 2026 against the official UCT 2027 scholarship call and UCT postgraduate funding noticeboard. UCT’s official historical article confirms that RAPCAN’s Board created the scholarship.
How to apply
- Complete the UCT Online Funding Application through the student portal.
- Email your abstract or concept of topic and a letter of support from your supervisor to pgfunding@uct.ac.za.
- Use RAPCAN 2027 as the email subject line.
- Submit both parts by 10 November 2026.