The WITS Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) is inviting applications for three-year doctoral fellowships to be awarded to remarkable students from Political Science, History, Anthropology, Economics, Sociology, Law or any other related or appropriate discipline. The fellowships are supported by Standard Bank under the second phase of the African Trust Infrastructures project.
Candidates are expected to conduct research on the origins and institutional effects of the digital population registration and finance systems that are currently under development on the continent. Examples may include Ethiopia’s new Fayda platform, the GhanaCard, Rwanda’s Digital ID, Kenya’s Huduma Card or other forms of money and credit. For more on the research theoretical questions, candidates are to review the materials at https://wiser.wits.ac.za/trust, and can also send questions about the research to Dr Laura Phillips at laura.phillips@wits.ac.za, with the subject phrase “Trust doctoral fellowship.”
The programme is full-time and is not compatible with other employment. Candidates are expected to work closely with research staff and participate fully, on-site, in the intellectual life of the WITS Institute.
Candidates will receive funding for three years. R250 000 will be received in the first year, which will cover university fees, research expenses, and provide a living allowance. Additional assistance with conference and research funding may also be available. Candidates are required to undertake up to 5 hours of work a week for WiSER.
To apply, please visit the Google form on this page. Candidates are required to make use of a Gmail account to upload their documents, but the WITS Institute will keep no record of it. Other required documents include: a complete set of course transcripts for each degree, a Curriculum Vitae, including the names and contact details of three academic referees, a writing sample of the candidate’s choice, and a one-page description of the candidate’s interest in this subject.
Closing date for applications is February 20, 2026.
