Funding your studies in Linguistics
It is never too early or too late to apply for funding! The single most important step is to ask a member of the department to be your funding mentor to help you consider your options. Do it today! This web page will help you find out where to find the relevant information.
The Department of English Language and Linguistics usually succeeds in obtaining funding for all its postgraduate students. The most common types of funding include Tutoring and Teaching Assistant scholarships.
Getting the right amount and kind of funding is one of the most important keys to successful postgraduate studies. Unfortunately, most students don't take the time to inform themselves on this important topic. This web page outlines the basics.
Departmental Funding
- SANDISA IMBEWU: Strategic Literacy Imperative Scholarships for Linguistics Research
- Teaching and Graduate Assistantships
- Align yourself with a departmental research project
Rhodes Humanties Faculty Funding
Other Rhodes University Funding
NRF Funding
Other Sundry funding sources
- Other organizations which fund language-related research
- International Funding via the Linguist List
Common misconceptions about funding
Applying for funding can seem a daunting task. However, there are some common misconceptions that make the process seem much more difficult than it already is.
- Misconception 1: students must apply for funding alone. In fact, it is much better to approach a potential supervisor and to develop a research project together.
- Misconception 2: students are limited to what is available. In fact, if you have an idea for a research project, then you should approach a supervisor and develop a funding plan together. So keep an eye on the NRF website and when you see a research call that you feel is interesting, approach the department to implement it.
- Misconception 3: there is very little funding for students. In fact, there has never been as much funding as there is now.
- Misconception 4: it is is a quick process. Unfortunately, obtaining funding can take a long time: six months to a year in some cases. This means you must start thinking of funding as early as possible (your third year is a good time to start thinking about your MA studies!). However, this does not mean it always takes this long.
- Misconception 5: rejection means you are no good. Not every research proposal is accepted first time around. If your application is rejected by one funding agency, then reapply again and again and again. This is where it is very important to work together with your supervisor and to encourage each other.
With these misconceptions out of the way, you are in a good position to start thinking about finding funding. More details are listed below.
Teaching assistantships and departmental scholarships
- Teaching assistantships are one of the most common forms of postgraduate funding used by the Department of Linguistics. TAs are chosen from among the best graduates of the department. TAs are expected to contribute towards the teaching and tutoring of undegraduate students. TAs draw a regular salary from the university.
- Another way of getting funding is to become a linguistics tutor. Tutors are paid hourly rates for tutoring, invigilation and marking. Contact the Head of Department directly for more information.
- Kendall Bursary and Scholarship (see Honours and MA Scholarship Booklets at the Research Office http://www.ru.ac.za/research/postgraduates/funding/postgraduatefunding)
- Other Bursaries and Scholarships relating to English, Language and Linguistics are available (see Honours and MA Scholarship Booklets at the Research Office http://www.ru.ac.za/research/postgraduates/funding/postgraduatefunding)
Funding by particular research projects in the department
- Some projects within the department have funding for postgraduate students in various forms. Contact the staff member in charge of a particular project and ask them if (a) they have scope for an additional researcher on the team and (b) if they would considering mentoring you through the application process.
- SANDISA IMBEWU: Strategic Literacy Imperative Scholarships for Linguistics Research (Contact Dr Mark de Vos)
Humanities Faculty Funding
- Andrew Mellon Post Doctoral Fellowship USD 640 000: Scholarship Information
- The Rhodes University prestigious scholarships for research in the PhD program on citizenship, nation and identity: Scholarship Information
- The Humanities Faculty has funds for special, research-empowering projects. This is usually up to about R10 000 (2008) per project.
- Additional funding may be available through the Dean's Office.
- More information may be available at the Humanities Faculty Postgrad page (http://oldwww.ru.ac.za/academic/faculties/humanities/postgrad/)
Rhodes University Funding
- Most information can be found on the Research Office website. Take the time to browse. http://www.ru.ac.za/research/funding
- Fellowships http://www.ru.ac.za/research/funding/fellowships
- Information about Rhodes Prestigious Scholarships and other funding: http://www.ru.ac.za/research/postgraduates/funding
- Information about various scholarships for Rhodes University postgraduates: http://www.ru.ac.za/research/postgraduates/funding/postgraduatefunding
- Staff members can apply for funds for students etc via the JRC system. Such funds are usually up to about R25 000 (2008).
- Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Associates: The university has an internal postdoctoral fellowship programme to support research. Funds for these fellowships come from both the university budget and the Mellon Foundation (specifically for the Humanities and Social Sciences).
- Some important deadlines may be available here (if not available on other pages) http://oldwww.ru.ac.za/research/funding/deadlines.htm
Search the Rhodes University website
- Many funding opportunities are linked to the Rhodes University website, for instance, via the Research Office. Take the time to click on the search function (usually at the top of the university home page) and do a search with the keywords: funding.
National Research Foundation
The NRF is the main source of funding for academic research in South Africa. There are a number of different programmes and it is best to get in touch directly with the Rhodes University Research office to discuss your options.
- NRF Freestanding Bursary for Full-time Honours (contact the Rhodes research office)
- NRF MA/PhD funding. Typically you would be applying for "SABI/NRF Free-Standing Scholarships for Full-Time Masters and Doctoral Studies". This funding is hard to get but definitely worth the effort. Deadlines are typically in January and July so you may have to start the process up to a year in advance. Check the site for details.
- KIC travel grants for fieldwork etc
- Thuthuka
- NRF call deadlines can be downloaded from the NRF website http://www.nrf.ac.za/studentsupport/docs/datesanddeadlines.pdf. Another way is to visit the search page and type "call schedule" in the search box and the first hit *should* be the most recent call schedule. http://www.nrf.ac.za/search/index.stm
Other research organizations which fund language-related research
The Linguist List
The Linguist List (www.linguistlist.org) is an international mailing list dedicated to Linguistics. Many scholarships, bursaries, job offers etc are advertised on this list. If you are not signed up then do so.
