Invitation for submission of applications
The call for Phase 6 Cohort 1 closed on 13 October 2025.
The next call for Phase 6 Cohort 2 will open in 2026.
More information will be shared in due course.
Financial assistance
The program aims to provide financial assistance and support to university staff members who wish to pursue a doctoral degree.
Research capacity
The program is intended to promote the development of research capacity and the production of new knowledge in South Africa.
Research culture
The program is intended to support the development of a strong and sustainable research culture at South African universities.
University staff
The program is open to university staff members who are employed on a full-time or part-time basis and who meet the relevant criteria set by the DHET.
About USDP
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) introduced the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) which has the overarching aim of “Transforming teaching, learning, researching and leading towards enhanced quality, success and equity in universities.” The UCDP was introduced in 2018 and is implemented through the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG) as a resource to support its implementation. The UCDP is a transformative initiative that focuses on capacity development in the following areas: (i) student support; (ii) staff development and (iii) curriculum development. The staff development component of the UCDP is implemented through a range of nationally led collaborative programmes under Staffing South Africa’s Universities Framework (SSAUF), university led programmes and institutional projects.
The University Staff Doctoral Programme (USDP) is one of the four core staff development programmes within the SSAUF. It focuses on developing existing academics at universities through strengthening the academic staff PhD or doctoral pipeline. The primary purpose of the USDP is to support academics and professional staff at the South African universities to undertake and complete doctoral studies within four years or less. The secondary objective of the USDP are the development of supervisory capacity at universities and promoting capacity development collaborations between universities, including with universities outside of South Africa.
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About The University Of Pretoria As An Implementing Partner
The University of Pretoria (UP) is the national implementing partner of the USDP. The USDP project goal is aligned to UP’s plan for research, which is directed towards achieving academic excellence and meeting the institutional goals as set out in UP’s strategic Plan 2025. The UP’s implementation team is responsible for executing the objectives of the USDP nationally and providing coordination support to DHET and engaging all twenty-six (26) South African university to successfully implement the USDP at their institutions. The USDP has supported an estimate of 300 Doctoral candidates and 4 Junior Research Fellow.