A Unique Opportunity for Cape Verdean Students: The Harry Crossley Scholarship at Stellenbosch University
The 2026 Harry Crossley Foundation scholarship opens the door to a life-changing experience for ambitious Cape Verdean students, with the chance to attend master's and doctoral programmes at the prestigious University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. This programme, designed to support the academic and professional development of talented individuals, represents a unique opportunity to access high quality education in a vibrant, multicultural research environment. The Harry Crossley Foundation, with a proven track record of investment in education, seeks to foster the potential of Cape Verde's future leaders.
Stellenbosch University, located in one of South Africa's most beautiful regions, offers a wide range of master's and doctoral programmes in various fields of knowledge. From natural sciences and engineering, to social sciences, humanities, law and business, students have the chance to choose an academic path aligned with their interests and career goals. The university, internationally recognised for its excellence in research, provides its students with access to cutting-edge resources, modern laboratories and a vast network of world-renowned researchers and academics.
The Harry Crossley Scholarship is not just limited to funding tuition fees. In many cases, the scholarship also covers accommodation, food and transport costs, thus easing financial worries and allowing students to concentrate fully on their studies. In addition, the Foundation often offers additional support such as mentoring and guidance to ease the transition to a new academic and cultural environment. This accompaniment is crucial to the success of students, especially those who find themselves outside their home country for the first time.
To apply for the Harry Crossley scholarship, Cape Verdean students must fulfil specific eligibility criteria. Typically required are an undergraduate degree with good grades, a strong proficiency in English (the language of instruction at Stellenbosch University), a convincing statement of purpose and letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors. It is important that candidates demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, leadership skills and a potential to contribute to the development of Cape Verde upon completion of their studies. The Foundation values diversity and encourages applications from students from all islands and from different fields of study, thus contributing to the formation of a dynamic and representative academic community.
Applications are usually processed through an online portal, where candidates must submit all the required documents by the deadline. It is essential to read the instructions carefully and fill in all the fields accurately. Timely preparation of the documents, including sworn translation (if necessary) and contacting the re-commendators to obtain letters of recommendation, is essential to ensure that the application is considered. A well-crafted application is crucial to impressing the evaluation panel and increasing the chances of success. The final selection is made on the basis of academic merit, leadership potential and the relevance of the research project or study plan to Cape Verde's development needs.
Don't miss out on this unique opportunity! The deadline for submitting applications is 30th September 2025.
For more information on eligibility criteria, available programmes and the application process, please visit the official website of the Harry Crossley Foundation and Stellenbosch University.
