NRF Postgraduate Scholarship

National Research Foundation (NRF) / Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) The DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship is South Africa's flagship public research funding for Honours, Master's and PhD students at South African public universities. Awards are made at Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS) across science, engineering, technology, the social sciences and the humanities, with FCS reserved for South Africans who are financially needy, living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers. For the 2027 academic year, Honours applications close on 23 November 2026; first-time Master's and Doctoral applications closed on 3 July 2026. National Research Foundation (NRF) / Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) supports students in the following disciplines

✓ Honours: South African citizens and permanent residents only (except NRF-SARAO Honours) ✓ Master's and Doctoral: South African citizens and permanent residents, plus other nationalities with valid passports and study permits (international students are funded at Partial Cost of Study only) ✓ Minimum 65% average in the previous qualification (Honours: major subjects in the final undergraduate year; Master's: honours level, a postgraduate diploma or the final year of a four-year degree; Doctoral: master's level) ✓ FCS: South African citizens or permanent residents who are financially needy (combined household income of R350,000 a year or less, or proof of NSFAS/ISFAP funding), living with a disability, or exceptional achievers (average of 75% or more) ✓ PCS: applicants who meet the academic criteria but not the FCS criteria ✓ Full-time study at a South African public university; choose your university before applying, as your application is routed to it ✓ No age limit at application, but 80% of funding goes to applicants within the age limits: Honours 28 or younger, Master's 30 or younger, Doctoral 32 or younger by 31 December 2026 ✓ Master's and Doctoral applicants need supervisor support (or, for Master's applicants without a supervisor yet, a Head of Department letter) and nominated academic referees

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Steps to complete your National Research Foundation (NRF) / Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) bursary application