The Transnational Centre for Just Transitions in Energy, Climate and Sustainability (TRAJECTS) awards eight fully funded Master scholarships for the period August 2026 – July 2028 at partner universities in South Africa and Colombia. The programme supports Master’s students whose academic work contributes to advancing just transitions in energy, climate and sustainability and who actively engage in the TRAJECTS transnational network.

TRAJECTS fosters South–South–North academic exchange and collaboration. Scholars are expected to develop their research projects within this framework and contribute to dialogue and training activities across the network.

Research projects should align with the overarching objectives of TRAJECTS, particularly in the following areas:

• Mitigating climate change by phasing-out fossil fuels, including policy, labour and governance dimensions.
• Sustainable integration of renewable energy systems, including energy access, circular economy approaches and green industrial development.
• Socio-ecological transitions in critical areas, especially in regions highly dependent on fossil fuels or extractive economies.

Scholarship distribution:

• 2 scholarships at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
• 4 scholarships at the University of Magdalena (UMS), Santa Marta, Colombia
• 2 scholarships at the Institute of Environmental Studies (IDEA), National University of Colombia, Bogotá campus

The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of 1,000 EUR (paid in local currency, subject to exchange rates) as well as access to TRAJECTS workshops, mobility support and language funding. Tuition fees must be covered by the scholarship holder using the stipend; applicants are encouraged to consult the official Master’s programme websites for up-to-date information.

Please note that TRAJECTS is not responsible for the admission process of the respective Master’s programmes. Applicants must independently fulfil all admission requirements of the selected university.

Applicants are  strongly encouraged to review the full Call for Applications before submitting their materials.

• Bachelor’s degree diploma or graduation certificate
• Official undergraduate transcripts
• Proof of admission or enrolment in one of the eligible Master’s programmes listed in this call
• CV (maximum 2 pages)
• Academic motivation letter (maximum 2 pages)
• Research proposal to be developed during the Master’s studies (maximum 3 pages)
• One academic letter of recommendation
• If applicable:
  • Self-declaration of vulnerability, marginalisation or minority status