Africa has a digital health problem and it is not the kind you think. The continent has some of the world’s most innovative thinkers working on health systems, but far too few have access to the research infrastructure, funding, and mentorship needed to turn those ideas into lasting solutions. The HPI–UCT Digital Health Partnership Fellowship exists to close that gap. Now open for applications, the HPI-UCT Fellowship is one of the few fully funded research fellowships on the continent that combines serious financial support, institutional prestige, and a direct mandate to produce research that matters for Africa. If you are an African researcher working at the intersection of technology and health, whether at PhD or postdoctoral level, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for.
The Fellowship at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Fellowship Name | HPI–UCT Digital Health Partnership Fellowship |
| Host Institution | University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa |
| Funding Partner | Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI), Germany |
| Level | PhD and Postdoctoral |
| Eligible Applicants | Nationals from the African continent |
| Funding Type | Fully funded |
| Application Deadline | 15 August 2026 (rolling) |
| Start Date | February 2027 |
| Contact | hpi-admin@uct.ac.za |
What Is the HPI-UCT Digital Health Partnership?
The HPI-UCT Digital Health Partnership is a long-running collaboration between the University of Cape Town and the Hasso Plattner Institute, a leading German computer science institution founded by SAP co-founder Hasso Plattner. The partnership was established to build research capacity on the African continent specifically in digital health – a field that has grown rapidly in importance as African health systems increasingly rely on digital tools to reach more people with fewer resources.
The fellowship is hosted through two schools at UCT: the School of Information Technology (SIT) and the School of Public Health (SPH). This dual hosting reflects the genuinely interdisciplinary nature of the programme. Research here is not just about building health apps or writing code – it sits at the crossroads of computer science, public health policy, data science, and artificial intelligence. For researchers interested in how technology can reshape healthcare delivery across Africa, this is one of the most purposefully designed programmes in the world.
Since the HPI Research School at UCT began in 2009, 35 fellows have successfully completed their doctorates through the programme. The 2026 cohort will join that legacy.
If you are still at the master’s stage and building towards a doctoral application, this post on 30 Fully funded master’s scholarships for international students in 2026 is a useful place to look for bridge funding in the meantime.
What You Will Receive
The HPI-UCT Fellowship is fully funded, and the financial package is one of the most competitive available to African researchers on the continent. Importantly, recipients are not required to provide any teaching or service in exchange for the funding, which means fellows can dedicate their full energy to research.
| Benefit | PhD Candidates | Postdoctoral Fellows |
| Annual Bursary / Stipend | ZAR 262,200/year (ZAR 21,850/month) | ZAR 300,000 – 380,000/year |
| Tuition and Registration Fees | Fully covered | Not applicable |
| Equipment Allowance | Up to ZAR 28,500 (once-off) | Up to ZAR 28,500 (once-off) |
| Conference Travel | Up to ZAR 38,000/year | Up to ZAR 38,000/year |
| Maximum Duration | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 years |
| Service Requirement | None | None |
For PhD students, the monthly bursary of ZAR 21,850 places fellows well above the cost of living in Cape Town, removing the financial precarity that derails so many promising African researchers. For postdoctoral researchers, the ZAR 300,000 – 380,000 annual stipend range is competitive by global standards, not just by African ones.
Research Areas the Fellowship Covers
Research proposals must fall within the core areas supported by current UCT supervisors. The programme focuses on digital health in its broadest sense, covering the following themes:
| Research Area | Description |
| Health Information Exchanges | Interoperability, standards, and data sharing across health systems |
| AI and Machine Learning for Health | Algorithmic tools applied to clinical and public health challenges |
| Data Science and Public Health | Population-level analysis, surveillance, and health system modelling |
| Mobile Health (mHealth) | Technology-driven healthcare delivery in low-resource settings |
| Electronic Health Records | Design, implementation, and evaluation of health data systems |
| ICT for Development (ICT4D) | Broader digital inclusion with relevance to health systems |
| Community-Centred Computing | Participatory design and technology for marginalised communities |
| Telehealth | Remote care systems and digital health infrastructure |
| Health Normative Standards | Common data models, coding systems, and policy frameworks |
| Digital Development | Information access, communication technologies, and digital transformation |
If your research sits meaningfully within any of these areas, you are working in the right space. Researchers coming from a data science or AI background will also find this post on16 masters scholarships in data science and AI useful for the broader funding landscape in this field.
Eligibility Requirements
PhD Applicants
| Requirement | Details |
| Degree | Master’s degree with a strong dissertation |
| Field (School of IT track) | Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field |
| Field (School of Public Health track) | Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Systems, Health Economics, or a related public health discipline |
| Nationality | Must be from the African continent |
| Study Mode | Full-time, in Cape Town |
| Visa | South African study visa required if selected |
Postdoctoral Applicants
| Requirement | Details |
| Degree | Doctoral degree in a relevant field |
| Publications | Prior peer-reviewed publications are a strong advantage |
| Teaching | Willingness to support teaching is noted positively, though not required |
| Nationality | Must be from the African continent |
| Study Mode | Full-time, in Cape Town |
Language Requirements
| Scenario | Requirement |
| Degree taught in English | Exempt – no language test needed |
| TOEFL (if required) | Minimum 570 paper-based or 230 computer-based |
| IELTS (if required) | Overall 7.0, with no individual band below 6.0 |
| Test validity | Must have been obtained within the last 3–5 years |
How to Apply:
The entire application is submitted as a single PDF file through the official HPI-UCT application portal. Here is the exact process:
Step 1: Identify your supervisor before anything else. UCT will only consider proposals that fall within the active research interests of their current supervisors. Visit the faculty pages of the UCT School of Information Technology and School of Public Health, review publications, and contact your preferred supervisor by email to confirm alignment before you write a single word of your proposal.
Step 2: Write your research proposal. The proposal should be two to three pages. It must clearly state your research question, outline your proposed methodology, and name the UCT supervisor(s) you have identified. If you have more than one area of interest, note this at the end of the proposal.
Step 3: Compile your documents into a single PDF. The PDF must contain, in order: your CV (2–3 pages), your academic transcripts, your TOEFL or IELTS results if applicable, and your research proposal with supervisors named.
Step 4: Submit via the official portal. Upload your single PDF at the HPI-UCT application portal. The deadline is 15 August 2026, but applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so earlier is better.
Step 5: Await shortlisting. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted after the review stage and asked to arrange three reference letters and attend a video conference interview a few weeks after the deadline.
Africa’s digital health ecosystem is growing faster than its research capacity. African countries carry roughly 25 percent of the global disease burden but produce a fraction of the world’s health research output. The HPI–UCT partnership is one of the few structured programmes specifically designed to build the researcher pipeline that can change that ratio over time.
The fellowship matters for several concrete reasons beyond the money. It is hosted at UCT, consistently ranked as Africa’s top university and one of the top 200 globally. It connects fellows to HPI’s international network in Germany, giving graduates a reach that extends well beyond the continent. And the research areas it supports – from AI to interoperability to mobile health – are precisely where Africa’s health systems face the most urgent innovation challenges over the next decade.
For researchers who want to go beyond the fellowship, our roundup of 40 fully funded PhD scholarships for international students in 2026 covers the broader landscape of doctoral funding that can complement or follow the HPI-UCT track.
Fellowship Quick Reference
| Field | Details |
| Official Name | HPI-UCT Digital Health Partnership Fellowship 2026 |
| Awarding Institutions | University of Cape Town and Hasso Plattner Institute (Germany) |
| Type | PhD and Postdoctoral research fellowship |
| Disciplines | Health information systems, AI for health, mHealth, ICT4D, interoperability, public health informatics |
| Eligible Candidates | African continent nationals |
| PhD Funding | ZAR 262,200/year + tuition + ZAR 28,500 equipment + ZAR 38,000/year travel |
| Postdoc Funding | ZAR 300,000–380,000/year + ZAR 28,500 equipment + ZAR 38,000/year travel |
| Duration | Up to 3 years |
| Deadline | 15 August 2026 (rolling) |
| Start Date | February 2027 |
| Host Schools | School of Information Technology (SIT) and School of Public Health (SPH), UCT |
| Location | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Programme Est. | 2009 |
| Doctoral Completions | 35 as of 2026 |
| Application Portal | Apply here |
| Contact | hpi-admin@uct.ac.za |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply from outside South Africa?
Yes. The fellowship is open to researchers from anywhere on the African continent. If selected, you will need to secure a South African study visa.
Do I need to be currently enrolled at UCT?
No. You apply as an external candidate. Enrolment at UCT follows selection.
Is there a country quota?
No country quota is specified. Selection is purely merit-based.
Can I hold another scholarship alongside this fellowship?
This is not addressed in the official guidelines. Contact hpi-admin@uct.ac.za directly to confirm before applying.
What is the difference between the SIT and SPH tracks?
The SIT track is for candidates with backgrounds in Computer Science or Information Systems, approaching digital health from a technical angle. The SPH track is for candidates with public health training – Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Systems, or Health Economics – bringing a population health lens to digital tools. Both tracks work on digital health but from different disciplinary starting points.
What happens after the fellowship?
Fellows join a growing network of HPI-UCT alumni who have gone on to academic positions, research institutes, and health technology organisations across Africa and internationally.
Summary
The HPI-UCT Digital Health Partnership Fellowship 2026 is one of the most valuable research funding opportunities currently available to African scholars. It combines full financial coverage, a home at Africa’s top university, and an international network through HPI Germany – all in service of research that directly addresses Africa’s most pressing health system challenges.
Applications are rolling and close on 15 August 2026. The start date is February 2027. Start by finding your supervisor, align your proposal to their work, and submit early.
Apply here: The HPI-UCT Fellowship Applications.
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