Blog Image

Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Turning the Tide Masters Scholarship: Empowering Future Scholars

Table of Content

  1. Overview of Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Turning the Tide Masters Scholarship
  2. Benefits of Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Turning the Tide Masters Scholarship
  3. Eligibility Criteria
  4. Application process and Deadline

In the world of higher education, the pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence can often be hindered by financial barriers. Recognizing the need to support deserving students, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Turning the Tide Masters Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to individuals pursuing their Master’s degrees. With a commitment to fostering education and advancing fields of study related to humanities, arts, and social sciences, this scholarship opens doors for future scholars who aim to make an impact in their respective disciplines. 

The Graduate School of the Arts and Social Science Faculty, Stellenbosch University, partnered with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, is inviting students to apply for the “Turning the Ti​​de” Masters Scholarship for the 2025 academic year.

Scholarships will be awarded for Masters (full thesis) studies, in all disciplines that form part of the Faculty but restricted to research topics within one of the following themes:

  • African Cultural Studies
  • Identity, Gender and/or Queer Studies
  • The Anthropocene and Ecocriticism

Benefits

  • The scholarship will be awarded to the value of R170 000, over 18 months to two years.
  • Scholars together with their supervisors, may also apply for funding for the following:
    • Writing retreat
    • local conference attendance (of R8 269)
    • publication costs (of R10 920).

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

  • You may be a South African citizen or an international student
  • You must not be older than 30 years of age
  • You must have achieved a first-class distinction (minimum 75%) in the final year of your Honours degree
  • You must apply for entrance to study at Stellenbosch University (you must also contact the department that you intend studying in and obtain a letter of support indicating that there is supervisory capacity for your research project)
  • You must intend on studying towards a full-time Masters (full thesis), at the Graduate School of the Arts and Social Science Faculty at Stellenbosch University, in 2025
  • You must be able to start your studies in February 2025
  • You must have achieved excellent academic results

Application Process

  • Research the Programme: Before applying, students should research the eligible Master’s programmes supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Turning the Tide Scholarship. Ensure that your field of study aligns with the scholarship’s focus areas.

  • Prepare Your Application: Applicants will need to submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement that highlights their passion for their field of study and their long-term goals.

  • Submit Your Application: The scholarship application is typically submitted online through the official Andrew W. Mellon Foundation or affiliated institutions. Be sure to follow all guidelines and meet the submission deadlines.

  • Selection Process: The selection committee will review all applications and assess candidates based on academic merit, leadership potential, and commitment to social change. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview or further evaluation.

Required documents

  • ID document, if an South African citizen (certified copy)
  • Passport, if an international student (certified copy)
  • Full academic transcript (certified copy)
  • Honours degree or foreign equivalent (certified copy) (or official proof from your institution that the degree will be delivered before December 2024, if the certificate is not available)
  • Motivational letter to support your application (maximum 600 words) (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)
  • Pre-proposal or research idea explaining your proposed research question and conceptualization on one of the three project themes (more details can be found on the application form) (maximum 500 words)
  • Sample of your writing: Honours research essay for MA applicants and any published academic articles related to your application
  • Letter of recommendation from potential supervisor at the Stellenbosch University Faculty of Arts & Social  Sciences

Deadline

  • Closing date for the scholarship:  31 October 2024.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply

© 2024 Uniplus Global Education. All rights reserved.