The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are pleased to announce the opening of applications for the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the academic year 2024. This funding opportunity aims to support honours, master's, and doctoral candidates across various disciplines in Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. If you are a continuing student or a new applicant looking to pursue postgraduate studies, this is your chance to secure financial support and advance your academic career.
Eligibility and Funding Options:
To qualify for the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Requirements: Candidates should have a minimum academic average of 65% to be eligible for funding.
- Age Restrictions: The entry age requirement is 28, 30, and 32 years or younger for honours, master's, and doctoral studies, respectively, in the year of application, regardless of the first year of registration.
Funding options are available as Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS) scholarships:
- Full Cost of Study (FCS): South African citizens and Permanent Residents who demonstrate financial need (household family income of R350,000 per annum or less), have a disability, or exhibit exceptional academic achievements may be awarded FCS funding.
- Partial Cost of Study (PCS): A limited number of international students, including South African citizens and Permanent Residents who meet the minimum requirements for NRF scholarship funding but cannot be funded under FCS, may be eligible for PCS funding.
Application Process and Deadlines:
All postgraduate students, both continuing and new applicants, are required to apply through the NRF Connect System. Manual applications will not be accepted. To access the online application form, click on the Apply Now button below.
Application deadlines vary based on the level of study:
- Honours: Applications close on 24 November 2023.
- First-time Master's and Doctoral: Applications close on 11 July 2023.
- Master's and Doctoral Extension Support: Applications close on 18 August 2023.
For detailed instructions on completing the application process, refer to the DSI-NRF Application and Funding Guide and Framework documents available on the NRF website.
Enquiries and Contact Information:
For any inquiries related to the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact the Research or Postgraduate offices at their respective universities. Should you require further assistance, the NRF provides the following contact persons and details:
- General Honours Enquiries: Mr Lehlogonolo Phaahla Telephone: 012 481 4315 Email Address: LA.Phaahla@risa.nrf.ac.za
- General Master's and Doctoral Enquiries: Ms Kgaugelo Molepo Telephone: 012 481 4148 Email Address: KJ.Molepo@risa.nrf.ac.za
- Master's and Doctoral Extension Support Enquiries: Ms Nontokozo Kunene Telephone: 012 481 4105 Email Address: NS.Kunene@risa.nrf.ac.za
- National Skills Fund and NRF-MINDS Enquiries: Ms Busisiwe Sibiya Telephone: 012 481 4166 Email Address: BG.Sibiya@risa.nrf.ac.za
- Global Knowledge Partnerships Enquiries: Mr Nelson Komane Telephone: 012 481 4219 Email Address: SN.Komane@risa.nrf.ac.za
- SARChI Enquiries: Ms Andisiwe Jukuda Telephone: 012 481 4113 Email Address: AH.Jukuda@risa.nrf.ac.za
- CoEs Enquiries: Ms Malekgotla Finger Telephone: 012 481 4003 Email Address: MD.Finger@risa.nrf.ac.za
- NRF-SARAO Postgraduate Scholarships Enquiries: Annah Mashemola Telephone: 012 442 2434 Email Address: amashemola@ska.ac.za
Click to download poster
Don't miss this opportunity to secure funding for your postgraduate studies in South Africa. The DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding offers financial support for honours, master's, and doctoral candidates in various fields of study. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit your application through the NRF Connect System before the respective closing dates. For more information and detailed guidelines, refer to the provided Application and Funding Guide and Framework documents. Take the next step towards advancing your academic career with the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding.