THE BURSARY APPLICATION PROCESS HAS NOW CLOSED. The deadline for applications was 31 July 2022. Thank you.

Download the Call for Applications information pack in PDF.

The Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) research programme is a 5-year multi-stakeholder programme being implemented by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), in partnership with the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) at the University of Cape Town (UCT). The LMI is funded through the National Skills Fund (NSF). The aim of this programme is to establish a credible institutional mechanism for skills planning. The LMI research programme comprises several research projects related to the identification of current and future skills needs and shortages, the identification of interventions required to address skills needs and shortages, and the exploration of ideological, philosophical and empirical approaches to understanding the relationship between education and the economy.

Broadly speaking, the overarching work of the researchers undertaking this project will, over a 5-year period, essentially involve identifying and measuring the extent of skills imbalances in the labour market. The research team conducts research, collects information, tracks vacancies, analyses findings and informs labour market information users of ‘bottlenecks’ in skills demand and supply in the labour market. The LMI is seeking to fund 2 Masters and 2 PhD students working in areas related to the above research themes of the LMI. Additional work opportunities in the areas above may also be made available for successful candidates.

General Conditions:

• Bursary applicants must be South African Citizens.
• Applicants may not previously have completed a degree to the level at which they are currently enrolled.
• The bursary is only available to students who register for full time MASTER’S or DOCTORAL DEGREES at one of the South African Higher Education Institution listed in the Call for Applications information pack.
• Applicants will need to be graduating by the end of the period of funding, and by no later than 31 December 2024. Note: The bursary is only available for the 2022/2023/2024 academic years, where applicable.
• Students receiving NSFAS/NRF or any other bursary/scholarship from another governmental organization are NOT eligible for a bursary. (Students are encouraged to consult their respective university’s postgraduate funding office if they are unsure of the rules surrounding their awards.)

Specific Conditions

• Candidates must be accepted for a full time Masters or PhD programme with the aim to undertake qualitative or quantitative research broadly in the area of the labour market and skills development. The degree should be based in economics, post-schooling education, sociology or a similar discipline.
• Completed dissertations may be fed into the system and published as LMI programme outputs : The student must therefore agree to have their work made openly available on platform/s including https://lmi-research.org.za/publications/.
• Preference will be given to applicants who are able to demonstrate: A track record of accomplishment in their research; Appropriate analytical and empirical skills; Ability for independent study, research design and implementation; and good communication and writing skills in English.

Desirable Conditions

For this bursary, we seek particularly to attract African, women, and disabled candidates. Preference will be given to these applicants.

Value and Tenure of Award

• The value of the scholarship is ZAR 80 000 per annum over two (Masters) or three (PhD) years.
• The years of funding available are 2022/2023/2024 where applicable.
• The bursary does not include any travel allowances, accommodation, or other additional benefits, but is tax free. (The application for tax exemption should be made by your respective university.)

Selection Process

• Only eligible and complete applications will be considered.
• We will communicate with short-listed applicants: If you have not heard from us within two months of the deadline, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
• Eligible and complete applications received before 31 July 2022 are guaranteed to be considered. Applications received thereafter may be considered only if the bursaries have not been awarded.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send an email to Ms Mira Blumberg Pahad at lmischolarship2022@vula.uct.ac.za with the subject line: “LMI Scholarship Application: {{insert MASTERS or PhD}} – {{NAME & SURNAME}}” by Sunday 31 July 2022. Attach to the email, a single PDF file including this completed cover sheet and all the application documents listed in the checklist, found on page 3 of the Call for Applications information pack.

Requests for further information about the LMI Bursary should please be sent to: lmischolarship2022@vula.uct.ac.za.

DISCLAIMER: The LMI research programme and the DPRU reserve the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications; and change the conditions of the bursary award or to make no awards at all.