SATS PhD Scholarship

The South African Theological Seminary (SATS) is proud to announce a full PhD scholarship for emerging African theologians interested in Pneumatology. This scholarship opens an exciting opportunity for emerging scholars to make an original contribution by addressing the work of the Holy Spirit.

Who can apply?

You may apply if you:

• Live on the African continent.
• Hold an accredited master’s degree in theology or related fields.

What should be the topic or focus of your doctoral research?

SATS does not prescribe or limit the topic of your doctoral research. However, applicants may consult the following list of SATS’ research priorities (not in order of importance):

• Scholarly development of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
• The Holy Spirit in intertextuality between the Old and New Testament
• The Holy Spirit in the Johannine literature
• The Holy Spirit in the Pauline corpus
• The Holy Spirit in the synoptic gospels
• The Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts
• The Holy Spirit in African Reformed theology
• The Role of the Holy Spirit in Ethics
• Pneumatology and African philosophical theology
• The development of the Holy Spirit in African Scholarship
• The role of the Holy Spirit in racial reconciliation
• The role of the Holy Spirit in current counselling praxis
• The Holy Spirit and political discourse
• The Holy Spirit and public theology
• The Holy Spirit and digital ecclesiology
• Pentecostalization

What is the process SATS will follow with this scholarship?

The process starts with a general advertisement of the scholarship. The due date for applications is 20^th October 2023. Thereafter, a panel of SATS academics will interview the best applicants and draw up a shortlist of the three most promising applications. They will submit a recommendation to SATS’s Management Team for approval. Next, SATS will engage with the chosen candidate to clarify the final details and conditions of the scholarship. The chosen candidate will be announced by 1^st December 2023. Finally, arrangements will be made for the candidate to formally commence their PhD studies.

What are the conditions of the scholarship?

Applicants who meet all the academic and registration requirements will be considered for a full PhD scholarship at SATS. The committee will select only one applicant for the scholarship. The scholarship is conditional upon continued performance throughout the doctoral journey.

How do I apply?

Write an essay and email it to Marilyn Schott, the SATS PhD registrar, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The essay must include the following:

• Your personal profile including a description of the ministry in which you are involved (100-200 words)
• Preliminary title (10-25 words)
• An abstract (200-300 words)
• A short explanation of the uniqueness of your proposed research (50-100 words)
• A short description of the potential significance of your proposed research (100-200 words)
• Tell us why you think you merit the scholarship (100-200 words)

*The essay must include a focus on Pneumatology from an African milieu. Any essays that do not fulfil these requirements will not be considered.

For further information

Please contact Marilyn Schott (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).