CBSI Fully Funded
MSc & PhD Scholarships
The first set of these scholarships are funded by UK International Development, under the project CRAFT-Sustainable Development, part of the UK government’s Congo Basin Forest Action Programme. They are open to nationals of Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon and Republic of the Congo who are also resident in one of these countries.
We will award 12 scholarships for Masters-level training, and 21 research-focused PhD project scholarships. Each scholarship is designed to train students to collect and analyse data within the framework of the CBSI Science and Capacity Plan. The scholarships span many disciplines including climate, water, soil, vegetation, biodiversity, and social sciences. Depending on your choice of project, you can study a Master’s or PhD at a partner institution in your country of residence, elsewhere in central Africa (Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Republic of the Congo) or in the UK.
The scholarships will help meet the need for high-quality scientific data and expertise to enable Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to develop innovative policies to slow deforestation, protect forest, and benefit local communities.
The scholarships begin in September 2025 and include a stipend to cover living costs, all university tuition fees, and research costs such as equipment and field expenses. Those receiving CBSI Scholarships can expect high quality training and to work with others in an interdisciplinary and inclusive research culture.
CBSI Scholarships Available
Apply for a scholarship
If you would like to apply for one of the scholarships for MSc training, or a PhD scholarship, first read our application guide to find out how to prepare your application. Next, apply for the scholarship through our online system. Make sure that you upload all required supporting documents to the online system before the application deadline. We will not be able to assess your application without these documents. Scholarship application deadline 28 February 2025.
Common questions
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to find resources from our Information Session of 30 January on CBSI Scholarships, along with answers to your questions about applications and scholarship details.
Why apply to be part of the first cohort of CBSI postgraduate researchers?
1
High quality training
The CBSI Masters and PhD projects train students to collect and analyse data within the framework of the CBSI Science and Capacity Plan, both transforming our understanding of the world’s second largest extent of tropical forest and training a new generation of science leaders. You will be part of a cohort of twenty-one PhD students and 12 MSc students. Your project will be based within one of the six CBSI observatories, which are: Climate and Meteorology; Hydrology and Freshwater; Vegetation, Soil and Biogeochemistry; Biodiversity; Land Cover and Land Use Change; Socio-ecology. Typically, you will be based at a University, but you may also be jointly hosted by a research institute that does not award degrees and a University or other degree awarding body. You will have a supervisory team for the duration of your study. You will benefit from additional support from CBSI, including training across the cohort of students and from the CBSI Director of Science.
2
Interdisciplinary collaboration
At CBSI we are committed to generating high-quality scientific data and knowledge, and translating that to policy action to improve the protection and management of the Congo Basin’s forests. This requires cross-disciplinary collaboration. CBSI annual meetings are one place where this happens, where you will be inspired by your peers from across central Africa and learn from senior scientists at the forefront of research in their field. You will build integrated interdisciplinary knowledge of how the Congo Basin is changing, be trained by eminent practitioners on how to bridge the research to action gap, and understand how to engage policy makers with your research findings.
3
An inclusive research culture
By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all walks of life and supporting them to become experts in their fields, CRAFT-Sustainable Development and CBSI will enable a new generation of scientists to advocate for evidence-based management policies and promote an inclusive research culture that is led by scientists from the region. CBSI welcomes applications from underrepresented groups in central African science, in particular women and traditional hunter gatherer groups. Our scholars receive a stipend to cover their living costs, that is sufficient to do their research without financial hindrances.
Partners
Funded by
Disclaimer: These scholarships have been funded by UK International Development from the UK government under the Congo Basin Forest Action Programme; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.
Note: Please note that CBSI does not charge candidates to apply for any of its scholarships through its online application portal.
