Science and Technology
South Africa
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Grantees proposing to teach must teach undergraduate or graduate courses designated by host institutions or do a combination of teaching and research in their area of specialization. If teaching, the grantee must contribute to curriculum development, supervise research, advise theses and provide tutorials, as needed.
Affiliation is possible at any of the 26 universities or technical universities in the new higher education structure. The names of host institutions are listed by geographic area of the main campus for Limpopo, Eastern Cape, North West, Gauteng, Free State, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Western Cape. Applications can be submitted to any campus for these institutions, including campuses in a city or province other than the main campus location.
Limpopo:
Eastern Cape:
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- University of Fort Hare
- Rhodes University
- Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science
North West:
Mpumalanga:
Northern-Cape:
Gauteng:
- University of South Africa
- Tshwane University of Technology
- University of Pretoria
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Johannesburg
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
- Vaal University of Technology
Free State:
Kwa-Zulu Natal:
- Durban University of Technology
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Zululand
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
Western Cape:
Grants can begin in late-July/August 2025 or January/February 2026, in accordance with the academic calendar of the host institution. Grants of six months or longer are possible, but 10 months is preferred.
All disciplines listed above are encouraged to apply, however the following fields will have priority consideration: agriculture, computer science, engineering, environmental sciences, geology, global/public health, information sciences/systems, physics and astronomy.
The host university may provide housing for teaching awardees. This is discussed on an individual basis.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
A letter of invitation from the host institution is required.
All instruction will be delivered in English; proficiency in another language is not required.
For academics or professionals where proposals include teaching, at least five years of postdoctoral college, university, or community college teaching experience is required. Research proposals can include early career applicants with a scholarly record of publications.
U.S. Embassy, South Africa website: https://za.usembassy.gov/
Round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent designated by IIE, for scholar and up to two accompanying dependents. An allowance of $2,850 will be provided to cover the costs associated with relocation and excess baggage.
$1,000 books and educational materials allowance; if possible, educational materials should be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure (for Teaching and Teaching/Research awards). $3,000 research allowance for Research Awards only.
Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependent. These amounts range from $200/month to $500/month.
In addition, round-trip, economy class travel is provided for up to two dependents.
Dependent education allowance of up to $12,500 per child or $25,000 per family for accompanying dependents in grades K-12 is reimbursed for a full academic year, upon submission of receipts, and depending on funding availability. Amount may be adjusted for shorter grant periods. Reimbursement is based on actual cost of tuition and fees only.
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.
A single person estimated monthly costs are $566.20 (±R10,399.94) without rent. A family of four estimated monthly costs are $1,954.50 (±R35,900.18) without rent. Cost of living in South Africa is, on average, 53.2% lower than in United States. Rent in South Africa is, on average, 75.3% lower than in United States.
When university housing is provided to Fulbright Scholars, grantees will receive a supplemental housing allowance in lieu of a full housing allowance for refurbishments, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses that arise. The full housing allowance will not be provided to grantees if they elect to decline on-campus or university housing.
Please refer to the figures above for an estimate of total monthly Fulbright award benefits. Benefits may include a monthly base stipend, living and housing allowances, and additional one-time allowances. Benefits may vary based on a scholar's current academic rank (or professional equivalent), the city of placement, the type of award (teaching, teaching/research, or research), and the number of and duration of stay of accompanying dependents. Research-only or Professional Project grantees receive a standard stipend that is not adjusted for academic rank. In most cases, dependent benefits will not be provided to Flex grantees, or to grantees pursuing grants less than four months (or a semester) in length.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State reserves the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
South Africa
Country Overview
South Africa, the southernmost country on the African continent, is renowned for its varied topography, great natural beauty, and cultural diversity, all of which have made the country a favored destination for travelers. Today, South Africa enjoys a relatively stable mixed economy that draws on its fertile agricultural lands, abundant mineral resources, tourist attractions, and highly evolved intellectual capital.
Constitutional multiparty democracy, with three spheres – local, provincial and national government.
South Africa occupies the most southern tip of Africa with its long coastline stretching more than 3,000 km from the desert border with Namibia on the Atlantic coast southwards around the tip of Africa and then north to the border of subtropical Mozambique on the Indian Ocean. The country has more than 290 conservation parks. It is home to almost 300 mammal species, about 860 bird species and 8 000 plant species. The annual sardine run is the biggest migration on the planet.
A subtropical location, moderated by ocean on three sides of the country and the altitude of the interior plateau, account for the warm temperate conditions. South Africa is a relatively dry country, with an average annual rainfall of about 464 mm. While the Western Cape gets most of its rainfall in winter, the rest of the country is generally a summer-rainfall region.
Time Zone
GMT +2 hours.
Currency
Rand (ZAR) – 100 cents equal one rand.
South Africa has nine provinces, which vary considerably in size. The smallest is tiny and crowded Gauteng, a highly urbanized region, and the largest the vast, arid and empty Northern Cape, which takes up almost a third of South Africa’s total land area. Each province has its own Legislature, Premier and Executive Council.
1. Eastern Cape
2. Free State
3. Gauteng
4. KwaZulu-Natal
5. Limpopo
6. Mpumalanga
7. Northern Cape
8. North West
9. Western Cape
Capitals
South Africa has three cities that serve as capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial). Johannesburg, the largest urban area in the country and a center of commerce, lies at the heart of the populous Gauteng province. Durban, a port on the Indian Ocean, is a major industrial center. East London and Port Elizabeth, both of which lie along the country’s southern coast, are important commercial, industrial, and cultural centres.
According to South Africa’s 2022 census, the country has a population of more than 62 million people. 51,5% of the population is female and approximately 48,5% is male.
Government-determined “racial” and ethnic classification, embodied in the Population Registration Act in effect from 1950 to 1991, was crucial in determining the status of all South Africans under apartheid. The act divided South Africans at birth into four “racial” categories - Black, white, Colored (mixed race), and Asian - though these classifications were largely arbitrary, based on considerations such as family background and cultural acceptance as well as on appearance.
South Africa is a multicultural society that is characterized by its rich linguistic diversity. Language is an indispensable tool that can be used to deepen democracy and contribute to the social, cultural, intellectual, economic and political life of the South African society. The country is multilingual with 12 official languages, each of which is guaranteed equal status. Most South Africans are multilingual and able to speak at least two or more of the official languages:
English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Afrikaans, Siswati, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga and South African Sign Language.
Religious beliefs in South Africa include Christianity; Islam; Traditional African religion; Hinduism; Buddhism; Bahaism; Judaism; Atheism and Agnosticism.
Mining, transport, energy, manufacturing, tourism and agriculture.
The South African Department of Higher Education and Training, DHET oversees universities and other post-secondary education in South Africa. Higher education was segregated under Apartheid. However, since 1994 students have been free to enroll in any institution, and institutions have worked hard to increase the diversity of both the students and staff. The South African higher education system, while not without its problems and challenges, is recognized as the best on the continent, with several institutions comparable to the best globally in a variety of international rankings.
Opportunities abound for U.S. scholars to forge collaborations with South African counterparts across many disciplines. The goals of the Fulbright Scholar Program in South Africa are to support collaborative research in all disciplines, strengthen South African graduate education through teaching, and contribute to broader and longer-term U.S.-South Africa institutional linkages. DHET and other governing bodies have identified the lack of staff possessing a PhD as a priority and are addressing this within South Africa. We encourage applications that would support this initiative. Proposals will be considered from mid-career and senior academics for teaching and early-career, mid-career and senior academics for research.
There are three main institutions of higher education: universities, universities of technology and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Universities offer degree courses that take a minimum of three to four years to complete. Universities of Technology offer mainly diploma and certificate courses, but also offer degree courses that take about three years to complete. A University of Technology places emphasis on innovative problem-solving and career-directed courses, in addition to the basic responsibilities of a university. TVET colleges provide students with skills that would lay a foundation for higher education and facilitate the transition from school to work.
A Bachelor's degree is a three-year program and the curriculum tends to be a little more structured with less flexibility than at U.S. universities. Students graduating with high enough scores can apply to stay on for a fourth (honors) year. During this fourth year, students take honors classes and write a thesis.
The South African academic year is usually divided into either two terms or four terms. If two terms, they are from Jan/Feb to June and from July to early December. If four terms, they are from Jan/Feb to March/April; April/May to June; July to September; and Sept/Oct to Nov/Dec.
Dependent children of Fulbright Scholars have previously attended private South African schools. The South African school system follows the United Kingdom Standard form of schooling. The South African school year begins in mid-January and ends in early December. The schools have a four-term year. Term dates vary from year to year and depending on the school, but are approximately as follows:
Term 1 - mid-January to late March;
Term 2 - mid-April to late June;
Term 3 - mid-July to late September;
Term 4 - early October to early December.
Students transferring from a U.S. curriculum-based school need to be cognizant of the difference in school year start times. Schools are also available that are based on the American curriculum and follow the U.S. academic calendar. Contact the Office of Overseas Schools for more information.
Public and private healthcare is available throughout the country. The quality of private medical care in South Africa is similar to that in the United States, but the costs are considerably lower. This is true of dental services as well. Most, but not all, common medications available in the United States are available in South Africa.
In general, public transportation is limited in South Africa, with some bus and train services in larger cities. There are also minibus taxis that travel the main arteries of major cities, but they are usually filled to capacity and considered unsafe. Public transport in major cities include the Gautrain between Johannesburg and Pretoria, and the Bus Rapid Transport System in major cities.
Telecommunications
Internet and Wifi access are widely available. The five mobile (cellular) networks are Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom Mobile and Virgin Mobile.
Since South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994, the United States and South Africa have built a solid bilateral relationship. South Africa is a strategic partner of the United States, with strong collaboration in the areas of health, education, environment, and digital economy.
The United States first opened a consulate in Cape Town in 1799, and in 1929 established formal diplomatic relations with South Africa after the United Kingdom recognized South Africa’s autonomy within the British Empire. In 1948, the South African government instituted apartheid, a system of governance that formalized the political subjugation of the majority non-white population. U.S.-South Africa relations eventually became severely strained by South Africa’s racial policies; the U.S. Congress ultimately passed the 1986 Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, which imposed sanctions on the apartheid South African government.
The United States played an important role in support of South Africa’s 1994 democratic transition. In October 1994, U.S. President Bill Clinton received newly elected President Nelson Mandela on his first state visit to the United States with a State Dinner and public appearances. In 1995, the U.S.-South African Binational Commission was launched to support the rebuilding of South Africa, and President Clinton paid an official visit to South Africa in 1998. George W. Bush and Barack Obama both visited South Africa during their presidencies; President Obama delivered a eulogy at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in 2013. The United States and South Africa share vibrant educational and people-to-people ties, significant economic and political interests, as well as common development objectives throughout Africa. As a strong democracy and sub-Saharan Africa’s most advanced economy, South Africa plays a key economic and political role on the continent. The United States seeks opportunities for increased U.S.-South African cooperation on regional and international issues.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Applicants can propose sharing between institutions in the same geographic area; these applications must include a letter of invitation confirming the willingness of each of the relevant parties to share the scholar. If one letter, it must indicate that the potential host has communicated with the other institution(s) and all are in agreement to share the Scholar's time. Placing U.S. Fulbright scholars at a range of South African universities is a priority. Applications involving historically disadvantaged South African post-secondary educational institutions will be given priority. Please note that more applications are generally received from scholars proposing to work in the Western Cape than can be funded. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Fulbright Office at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa about university contacts in other regions.