Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) DISPEST_2 PhD Scholarships

Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania offers 2 fully funded PhD scholarships under the DISPEST_2 project, supported by the Belgian Development Cooperation and the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) in Belgium. The project focuses on predicting fruit fly infestations in Southeast Africa, with 2 research positions: one on predicting fruit infestation by Ceratitis rosa and C. quilicii, and one on Ceratitis cosyra. Applicants may apply for one or both positions. The 3-year programme runs from around April 2026 to March 2029 and covers full tuition and registration fees, a monthly living stipend, research funding for fieldwork and data analysis, and expert mentorship from SUA and RMCA specialists. Scholars conduct field trapping campaigns, use geospatial tools to map pest distribution, analyse genomic data and build predictive models for infestation under climate-change scenarios. Entry requires an MSc in a relevant field with a minimum GPA of 3.8/5.0 at BSc and 4.0/5.0 at MSc, R programming skills, and a willingness to be based in Morogoro, Tanzania. Tanzanian applicants must be under 35; the deadline is expected around 30 March 2026 at 23:59 EAT. Because dates and figures are confirmed each cycle, verify current-cycle details with SUA and RMCA before applying.

What's covered

• Tuition and registration fees — Full coverage of PhD tuition and registration fees at Sokoine University of Agriculture for the 3-year programme.
• Monthly living stipend — A monthly stipend for living expenses, estimated at roughly ~USD 700 (est.) per month, while based in Morogoro, Tanzania.
• Research funding — Dedicated research funding for fieldwork, trapping campaigns, genomic and geospatial data analysis under the DISPEST_2 project.
• Expert mentorship — Supervision and mentorship from specialists at SUA and the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) in Belgium.
• International collaboration — Hands-on field research experience in Africa and access to international expertise in pest management and genomics, with travel and equipment costs supported by the project budget.

How to apply

Applying is a multi-step process: secure PhD admission at SUA, then email a scholarship application with supporting documents to the project coordinator and copied recipients.

1. Apply for PhD admission at SUA — Submit a PhD admission application through the SUA online admission portal, or provide proof of admission if already admitted.
2. Prepare your application package — Write an application letter, a concept note of up to 2,000 words on how your research aligns with the project, the SDGs and real-world impact, and a motivation letter.
3. Email the scholarship application — Email your application to the project coordinator Dr Ramadhani Majubwa, copying the SUA Directorate of Postgraduate Studies and Dr Massimiliano Virgilio (RMCA, Belgium).
4. Attach all required documents — Include proof of SUA admission, CV, concept note, motivation letter, and academic transcripts and certificates.