Lisa Maskell Scholarship 2026

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University is renowned for its diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

These encompass fields such as Drama, Music, Visual Arts, African Languages, Afrikaans and Dutch, Ancient Studies, English, General Linguistics, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography and Environmental Studies, History, Information Science, Journalism, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, as well as Sociology and Social Anthropology.

The Gerda Henkel Foundation, founded in 1976 by Lisa Maskell in honor of her mother Gerda Henkel, is a private, non-profit organization.

It is dedicated to promoting scientific studies at universities and research institutions, specifically within the humanities. Since 2014, the Foundation has been supporting scholars from Africa and Southeast Asia to further their studies in the humanities.

Lisa Maskell Scholarship Programme

In collaboration with the Gerda Henkel Foundation, Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences invites students to apply for the Lisa Maskell / PANGeA Scholarship for the 2026 academic year. This scholarship is intended for full-time PhD research in Historical Humanities, covering areas such as:

• Archaeology
• Art History
• Historical Islamic Studies
• History
• History of Law
• History of Science
• Prehistory and Early History

Research in related fields such as cultural studies, political science, and social sciences, focusing on contemporary issues within a historical context, will also be considered. Topics relevant to current or future societal challenges like forced migration or democracy are encouraged.

Scholarships are not available for Honours studies or for Master’s programs with a thesis component of fewer than 180 credits.

Lisa Maskell Scholarship Scholarship Value

The scholarship provides a maximum value of R450,000 over three years, with an additional R62,000 for research support costs. For more details, visit www.zabursaries.co.za.

Lisa Maskell Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be from an African country
• Be no older than 35 years
• Have completed a full MA research thesis
• Plan to study full-time towards a PhD in one of the specified Historical Humanities research areas
• Be able to start studies in February 2026
• Apply to Stellenbosch University within the Arts and Social Science Faculty for 2026
• Obtain a recommendation letter from the relevant department at the Faculty
• Have an excellent academic record with a minimum of 70% in the final year of the most recent degree
• Preference is given to students from PANGeA partner institutions

How to Apply for the Lisa Maskell Scholarship

1. Download and complete the Stellenbosch University Lisa Maskell Scholarship Application Form 2026.
2. Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” when asked how you heard about the scholarship.
3. Submit the following documents via email to graduateschool@sun.ac.za with the subject line “Lisa Maskell Scholarship 2026”:
   • Certified copy of your ID (South African) or passport (international)
   • Certified academic transcript
   • Certified copy of MA degree certificate or proof of completion by March 2026
   • Motivational letter (max 600 words)
   • Pre-proposal or research idea (max 500 words)
   • MA thesis sample for PhD applicants
   • Any relevant published academic articles
   • Nomination letter from PANGeA institution (if applicable)
   • Records of publications/awards, professional experience, additional academic languages (if applicable)

Lisa Maskell Scholarship Application Deadline

The closing date for applications is 31 July 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Lisa Maskell Scholarship Contact Information

For queries about the scholarship program, please contact:

Dr Candice Steele Email: graduateschool@sun.ac.za

Apply now to take your academic journey in Historical Humanities to the next level with the Lisa Maskell Scholarship at Stellenbosch University!