Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed Closed 10 October 2025
- Provider
- South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Study level
- Postgraduate
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
SANBI advertises the scholarship in September for the following academic year.
VerifiedNo open round · the last round we could find closed on 10 October 2025 The 2027 call had not been published when we checked; expect it in September 2026 with a closing date in early to mid-October 2026 . Latest update ↓
The Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship Fund, run by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), pays for young South Africans to do honours, Master’s and doctoral research in plant science based at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. It is one of the best-funded botany scholarships in the country, and SANBI also runs a separate Joan Wrench internship programme for graduates.
About the SANBI Joan Wrench Scholarship
- Honours or postgraduate diploma in horticulture: R120 000 for one year.
- Master’s in botany, community ecology, biological invasions or socio-ecological research: R150 000 a year for two years.
- Doctorate in plant systematics, biological invasions or socio-ecological research: R180 000 a year for three years.
- The scholarship covers living expenses and university fees; project running costs are funded separately by SANBI.
- Research must be relevant to SANBI’s mandate and focus on the Cape Floristic Region.
Joan Wrench Scholarship eligibility requirements
- South African citizen under 35.
- Registering full-time at any South African university for honours, Master’s or doctoral study, for the first time at that level. Master’s applicants need an honours degree or postgraduate diploma.
- Provisional acceptance from a university supervisor and a SANBI co-supervisor.
- Not employed and not holding another full bursary or scholarship.
How to apply for the Joan Wrench Scholarship
- Read the call on the SANBI careers page at sanbi.org/careers and contact a SANBI scientist at Kirstenbosch about co-supervising your project.
- Complete the online application form linked in the call and upload the application cover sheet, a certified ID, a letter of interest, an updated CV, certified academic transcripts and highest qualification, the university’s provisional registration or application letter, a project outline (one page for honours, two pages for Master’s and doctoral), two academic reference letters and letters from your university and SANBI supervisors confirming their willingness to supervise.
- Submit before the closing date. Shortlisted candidates are notified within 28 days.
Joan Wrench Scholarship closing date
The last confirmed closing date was 10 October 2025. Expect early to mid-October 2026 for 2027.
Contact details
- Academic queries: Dr Ferozah Conrad, f.conrad@sanbi.org.za
- Application queries: René du Toit, r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za
- SANBI Kirstenbosch: 021 799 8800
Plant scientists should also apply to the SANBI biological invasions bursary and the DSI-NRF postgraduate scholarship.
FAQs
1. When does the Joan Wrench scholarship close for 2027? +
SANBI advertises the scholarship in September for the following year; the 2026 round closed on 10 October 2025. Expect the 2027 call in September 2026 with a closing date in early to mid-October 2026 on sanbi.org.
2. How much is it? +
In the 2026 call: R120 000 for one year of honours, R150 000 a year for two years of Master's and R180 000 a year for three years of doctoral study, covering living costs and university fees. Project running costs are funded separately.
3. Which fields? +
Plant science at Kirstenbosch: horticulture at honours or postgraduate diploma level, botany or community ecology at Master's, biological invasions and socio-ecological research at Master's or doctoral level, and plant systematics at doctoral level, with research based in the Cape Floristic Region.
4. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens under 35, studying full-time at any South African university for the first time at that level, not employed, not holding another full bursary, with a project relevant to SANBI's mandate and a supervisor at both the university and SANBI.
5. How do I apply? +
Through the online form linked in the call, uploading the cover sheet, a certified ID, a letter of interest, a CV, certified transcripts and highest qualification, the university's provisional acceptance, a one or two page project outline, two academic references and letters from your university and SANBI supervisors.
6. Who was Joan Wrench? +
A benefactor of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden whose bequest funds the scholarship and a related internship programme for young South African plant scientists and horticulturists.
Update note (checked September 2026): SANBI advertises the scholarship in September for the following academic year. The 2026 round closed on 10 October 2025. The 2027 call had not been published when we checked; expect it in September 2026 with a closing date in early to mid-October 2026. The details below are from the 2026 call.
This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.
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