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 DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The National Research Foundation (NRF) is inviting postgraduate students to apply for the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding, for the 2024 Academic Year.
The scholarship will be awarded for Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies within Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) disciplines and Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines.
The broad disciplines supported for postgraduate studies are:
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Agricultural Sciences
- Architecture
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Auditing
- Bibliometrics and Scientometrics Science
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Biotechnology
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Chemistry
- Climate Change
- Computer Science
- Construction Management
- Cosmology
- Data Science
- Demography
- Dermatological Sciences
- Drug Discovery and Development
- Earth Sciences
- Earth Observation
- Ecology
- Economic and Management Science
- Economic Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Financial Management
- Functional Genomics
- Geology
- Geosciences
- Global Change
- Society and Sustainability
- Health Sciences
- Higher Education (Policy) Studies
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Information Science
- Information Systems
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Law
- Materials Research
- Mathematical Sciences
- Marine Sciences
- Medicinal Plant
- Medical Sciences
- Microbiology
- Nanotechnology
- Nuclear Science
- Nuclear Technologies in Medicine and Biosciences
Palaeosciences - Polar Science
- Physics
- Public Understanding of Science and Technology
- Renewable Energy
- Research Evaluation and Research Impact studies
- Science Communication
- Social Science and Humanities
- Sociology of Science and Technology
- Space Science
- Statistics
- Technology and Innovation (Policy) Studies
- Transportation Studies
- Tourism
MORE ABOUT THE DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – EXPENSES COVERED
Recipients will receive either Partial Cost of Study (PCS) or Full Cost Study (FCS), depending on whether they satisfy the requirements.
The FCS bursary is for students who are financially needy (combined household family income of less not more than R350 000 per annum), living with a disability or an exceptional academic achiever – candidates who qualify for FCS may be awarded at PCS due to budget constraints.
The FCS bursary 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.
Scholars will receive funding for full-time studies from Honours to Doctoral degree level, dependent on satisfactory performance at each postgraduate level of study.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DSI-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):
Honours applicants (first-time):
- You must be a South African citizen or a permanent resident in South Africa
- You must be 28 years old or younger in the year of application (not over 28 years by 31 December 2024)
- If applying for FCS: you must have achieved a minimum overall average 75% mark for all major subjects your the final year of undergraduate study (exceptional achiever)
- If applying for FCS: you must have achieved a minimum overall average 65% mark for all major subjects your the final year of undergraduate study (Financially Needy and Applicants with a Disability)
- If applying for PCS: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for major subjects in your final year of undergraduate study
Masters applicants (first-time):
- You must be a South African citizen or a permanent resident in South Africa
- You must be 30 years old or younger in the year of application (not over 30 years by 31 December 2024)
- You must be registered on a full-time basis for your second or third year of master’s studies in 2024
- If applying for FCS: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 75% for all subjects at honours level OR a minimum overall average of 75% for all subjects at postgraduate diploma level OR a minimum overall average of 75% for all subjects of a four-year degree (exceptional achiever)
- If applying for FCS: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for all subjects at honours level OR a minimum overall average of 65% for all subjects at postgraduate diploma level OR a minimum overall average of 65% for all subjects of a four-year degree (Financially Needy and Applicants with a Disability)
- If applying for PCS: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for all subjects at honours level OR a minimum overall average of 65% for all subjects at postgraduate diploma level OR a minimum overall average of 65% for all subjects of a four-year degree
Doctoral applicants (first-time):
- You must be a South African citizens or a permanent resident in South Africa
- You must be 32 years old or younger in the year of application (not over 32 years by 31 December 2024)
- You must be registered on a full-time basis for your second, third, or fourth year of doctoral studies in 2024
- If applying for FCS: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 75% for Master’s degree (exceptional achiever)
- If applying for FCS: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for Master’s degree (Financially Needy and Applicants with a Disability)
- If applying for PCS: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for Master’s degree
You must study at one of these recognised Higher Education Institutions:
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Central University of Technology, Free State
- Durban University of Technology
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
- Nelson Mandela University
- North-West University
- Rhodes University
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
- Sol Plaatje University
- Stellenbosch University
- Tshwane University of Technology
- University of Cape Town
- University of Fort Hare
- University of Johannesburg
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Limpopo
- University of Mpumalanga
- University of Pretoria
- University of South Africa
- University of the Free State
- University of the Western Cape
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Venda
- University of Zululand
- Vaal University of Technology
- Walter Sisulu University of Technology
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP
New Applicants:
- Applications must be submitted online at: DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship Application
- Applicants must refer to the Application and Funding Guide and Framework documents when completing the online application form, at every step of the process.
Continuing Students:
- If you are eligible for a second or third year of funding, you will be required to submit a Progress Report and not a new application.
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed 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 2024 (on institutes letterhead)
- Parents/ guardians proof of household income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ SASSA grant letter if applicable)
DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP DOCUMENTS
Applicants are encouraged to read all the following documents before applying:
- DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship Framework for Funding: 2024 academic year
- Postgraduate Funding FAQ’s
- ISFAP Application Consent Form
- NRF Recognised Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
- NRF Statement of expectation for Postgradute Training: 2024 academic year
- DSI-NRF Honours Application and Funding Guide: 2024 academic year
- DSI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral Application and Funding Guide: 2024 academic year
- SARAO Postgraduate Scholarships Application Guide: 2024 academic year
CLOSING DATE FOR THE DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP
Institution’s may set internal closing dates to allow for internal institutional screening and review – please contact your university for their specific closing date.
Honours studies: 20 November
First-time Master’s studies: 8 July
First-time Doctoral studies: 8 July
Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support studies: 15 August
Designated Authority (DA) closing dates:
Honours applications: 23 December
First-time Master’s applications: 2 September
First-time Doctoral applications: 2 September
Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support applications: 30 September
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
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:
General Honours and NRF-TWAS related enquiries:
Contact person: Mr Lehlogonolo Phaahla (Professional Officer – HICD)
Tel: 012 481 4315
Email: [email protected]
General first-time Master’s, Doctoral and NRF-DAAD related enquiries:
Contact person: Ms Kgaugelo Molepo (Professional Officer – HICD)
Tel: 012 481 4148
Email: [email protected]
Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support, NRF-SASAC, PDP and NRF-SASOL related enquiries:
Contact person: Ms Nontokozo Kunene (Professional Officer – HICD)
Tel: 012 481 4105
Email: [email protected]
National Skills Fund and NRF-MINDS related enquiries:
Contact person: Ms Busisiwe Sibiya (Professional Officer – HICD)
Tel: 012 481 4166
Email: [email protected]
Global Knowledge Partnerships related enquiries:
Contact person: Mr Nelson Komane (Professional Officer – HICD)
Tel: 012 481 4219
Email: [email protected]
First-time SARChI Hhonours, 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]