Rhodes TOADS Doctoral Scholarship Offers R200,000 a Year
Rhodes TOADS Doctoral Scholarship funding
Rhodes University’s African Studies Centre lists a doctoral scholarship worth R200,000 annually for up to four years. The TOADS project examines the movement of African oral arts into digital media, with a focus on performance and world-making. Tuition and living expenses must be paid from the stated scholarship amount; it is not an additional R200,000 on top of separately paid fees.
Who should consider applying?
Applicants need a completed Master’s in oral literature, literature or a related field by enrolment, strong English and capacity for qualitative fieldwork in East Africa. The work includes research on female comedians, archival analysis, a thesis and participation in the research centre. Prior ethnographic and performance-studies experience is advantageous.
Application documents and deadline
Applications close on 30 November 2026, with full-time study expected from February 2027. Submit a motivation and research proposal within 1,000 words, academic CV, degrees and transcripts, two potential referees including a Master’s supervisor, and a thesis or writing sample. Send completed applications to l.spencer@ru.ac.za, the exact submission address in the official TOADS notice. Departmental academic approval is also required.
Develop a focused research proposal
The following is independent preparation guidance, not an additional selection rule. Begin with a clearly defined question about performance, interpretation or digital circulation. Explain what you would examine and why the material is suitable for that question. Avoid promising a survey of every platform, country and performance tradition. A realistic scope makes it easier to show how the project could produce a coherent doctoral argument.
Think carefully about research participants
Digital material being publicly visible does not remove every ethical consideration. Consider how you would approach consent, attribution, vulnerable participants and the possible consequences of reproducing material. Explain questions that need formal ethical review rather than claiming that permission is unnecessary. Where translation is involved, consider how you would preserve meaning and acknowledge the expertise of collaborators.
Show the connection between methods and evidence
A proposal should explain what each method will help you discover. Interviews, observation, archival research and close analysis have different strengths. Rather than listing them all, connect each planned method to a specific part of your question. Identify practical constraints, including access, language and time, and describe how you would refine the plan with academic supervision.
Budget with the award conditions in mind
Before accepting funding, ask the university to explain how fees and living support are paid and what additional research costs are covered. Do not treat the headline annual amount as a monthly salary or assume that every fieldwork expense is separate. Keep written confirmation of the award conditions and any progress requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is the R200,000 separate from tuition? No. Fees and living allowance come from this amount.
Is an unrelated undergraduate degree sufficient? The listing requires a relevant Master’s by enrolment.
Does the award replace admission? No. Academic approval remains necessary.
Read the TOADS scholarship and use its official submission link
Checked on 30 October 2026. Reign Gigs is an independent publisher, not Rhodes University or the funder.
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