ABOUT THE COMPANY – NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (NRF)
We are pleased to inform you about DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship South Africa 2025-2026 /read full details
The National Research Foundation (NRF) was established over 20 years ago, as an independent government agency. The NRF is the intermediary agency between the policies and strategies of the South African Government and South Africa’s research institutions.
The mandate of the foundation is to promote and support research, by way of human resource development, funding, as well as the provision of research facilities to assist with various aspects of the science and technology sectors.
The NRF has 3 major functions:
1) supporting research and innovation, via the Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA),
2) encouraging an interest in science and technology, via the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), and
3) facilitating research through its various National Research Facilities
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF NRF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The National Research Foundation (NRF) are inviting postgraduate students to apply for DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding, for the 2022 academic year. The scholarship will be awarded for Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies, within these fields:
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Science
- Technology
MORE ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF NRF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE
Recipients will receive either Partial Cost of Study (PCS) or Full Cost Study (FCS), depending on whether they satisfy the requirements.
The FCS will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition fee, accommodation allowance (in residence or private rental), living allowance, transport allowance, food allowance and electronic study devices. The PCS will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition fee and accommodation allowance (in residence or private rental) or living and transport allowance if not residing in prescribed accommodation.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NRF SCHOLARSHIP
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be a South African citizen or South African permanent resident (if applying for FCS)
- You must have an exceptional academic record OR have a disability OR be financially needy (with a combined household income of no more than R350 000 per annum) (if applying for FCS)
- You must be studying towards an Honours, Master’s or Doctoral qualification, in one of the aforementioned fields, in the 2022 academic year
- You must be studying at one of the NRF recognised tertiary institutions (listed below)
- Honours degree students: you must be no older than 28 years old by 31 December 2021
- Honours degree students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for all major subjects in the final year of undergraduate study (if living with a disability or in financial need and applying for FCS)
- Honours degree students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for all major subjects in the final year of undergraduate study (if applying for PCS)
- Honours degree students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 75% for all major subjects in the final year of undergraduate study (if an exceptional achiever and applying for FCS)
- Master’s degree students: you must be no older than 30 years old by 31 December 2021
- Master’s degree students: you must be registered full-time for studies in the 2nd or 3rd year of master’s studies in 2022
- Master’s degree students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for all subjects at honours level OR for all subjects of a postgraduate diploma OR for all final year subjects of a 4 year degree (if living with a disability or in financial need and applying for FCS)
- Master’s degree students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for all subjects at honours level OR for all subjects of a postgraduate diploma OR for all final year subjects of a 4 year degree (if applying for PCS)
- Master’s degree students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 75% for all subjects at honours level OR for all subjects of a postgraduate diploma OR for all final year subjects of a 4 year degree (if an exceptional achiever and applying for FCS)
- Doctoral degree students: you must be no older than 32 years old by 31 December 2021
- Doctoral degree students: you must be registered full-time for studies in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of doctoral studies in 2022
- Doctoral degree students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% at Master’s level (if living with a disability or in financial need and applying for FCS)
- Doctoral degree students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% at Master’s level (if applying for PCS)
- Doctoral degree students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 75% at Master’s level (if an exceptional achiever and applying for FCS)
Studies will only be approved at the following tertiary institutions:
- University of Johannesburg
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Pretoria
- Rhodes University
- University of Cape Town
- University of the Western Cape
- University of Fort Hare
- Stellenbosch University
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Limpopo
- University of Mpumalanga
- University of the Free State
- University of Venda
- University of Zululand
- Nelson Mandela University
- North-West University
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
- Sol Plaatje University
- University of South Africa
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Central University of Technology, Free State
- Durban University of Technology
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
- Tshwane University of Technology
- Vaal University of Technology
- Walter Sisulu University of Technology
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NRF SCHOLARSHIP
NEW APPLICANTS: must apply online at: https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/
CONTINUING STUDENTS: must submit a Progress Report only, if eligible for a 2nd or 3rd year of funding.
Candidates who have not registered before, will need to Register an Account here before applying.
Candidates who have registered before, should Login with their existing details.
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be may be disqualified):
- ID document (certified copy)
- Full tertiary academic record to date (on institutes letterhead)
- Proof of University enrolment for 2022 (on institutes letterhead)
- Parents/ guardians proof of household income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ SASSA grant letter if applicable)
NRF SCHOLARSHIP DOCUMENTS
Applicants are encouraged to read all the following documents before applying:
NRF Postgraduate Scholarships – Application and Funding Guide
NRF Postgraduate Scholarships – Application and Funding Framework
NRF Postgraduate Scholarships – Statement of Expectations for Postgraduate Training
NRF Postgraduate Scholarships – Guidelines for Payments of NRF Postgraduate Scholarships
NRF Postgraduate Scholarships – Frequently Asked Questions
CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER
For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact your Universities Research or Postgraduate office. If you still need to contact the NRF, please contact the relevant person:
Technical online enquiries:
Contact the Support Desk (on Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:30)
Tel: 012 481 4202
Email: [email protected]
General first-time Master’s, Doctoral and DAAD related enquiries:
Contact Person: Ms Kgaugelo Molepo (Professional Officer – HICD)
Tel: 012 481 4148
Email: [email protected]
Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support related enquiries:
Contact Person: Ms Busisiwe Sibiya (Professional Officer – HICD)
Tel: 012 481 4166
Email: [email protected]
General Honours related enquiries:
Contact Person: Mr Lehlogonolo Phaahla (Professional Officer – HICD)
Tel: 012 481 4315
Email: [email protected]
SASAC and Nuffic related enquiries:
Contact Person: Mr Nelson Komane (Professional Officer – HICD)
Tel: 012 481 4219
Email: [email protected]
First-time SARChI Honours, Master’s and Doctoral related enquiries:
Contact Person: Ms Andisiwe Jukuda (Professional Officer – RCCE)
Tel: 012 481 4113
Email: [email protected]
First-time CoEs Honours, Master’s and Doctoral related enquiries:
Contact Person: Ms Malekgotla Finger (Professional Officer – RCCE)
Tel: 012 481 4003
Email: [email protected]
NRF-SARAO Postgraduate scholarships related enquiries:
Contact Person: Annah Mashemola (Professional Officer – HCD NRF-SARAO)
Tel: 012 442 2434
Email: [email protected]
Please do NOT contact the NRF if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/