National Research Foundation (NRF): Bursary 2024

National Research Foundation (NRF) invites students to apply for Bursary Programme for 2024 academic year.

National Research Foundation (NRF): Bursary 2024

The DSI and NRF are pleased to announce a call for new applications for DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the academic year 2024. All continuing students who are eligible for a second or third year of funding must submit a Progress Report and not a new application.

The NRF minimum academic requirement for postgraduate funding is 65%. 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 first year of registration. Successful applicants will be funded either at Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS). The FCS funding will be awarded to South African citizens and Permanent Residents only, who are either financially needy (i.e., those whose combined household family income is less than or equals to R350 000 per annum), living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers. However, the PCS funding will be awarded to 5% of international students including South African citizens and Permanent Residents who could not be funded under FCS, but meet other minimum requirements for the NRF scholarship funding criteria. The scholarships are intended to support honours, master’s and doctoral candidates to pursue studies in all areas of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

All the postgraduate students will be expected to apply on the NRF Connect System by accessing the link: https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za/. No manual applications will be accepted.

NRF Postgraduate Call Documents 2024

DSI-NRF Extension Support for Master’s and Doctoral Application and Funding Guide for 2024

DSI-NRF Honours Application and Funding Guide for 2024

DSI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral Application and Funding Guide for 2024

DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship Framework for 2024

Frequently Asked Questions_Postgraduate Funding

ISFAP – Application Consent Form

NRF Statement of expectation for Postgradute Training

SARAO Postgraduate Scholarships Application Guide 2024

Students’ Applications Closing Dates:

Level of study	Closing dates
Honours	24 November 2023
First-time Master’s	11 July 2023
First-time Doctoral	11 July 2023
Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support	18 August 2023

The Designated Authority (DA) Submission to NRF Closing Dates:

Level of study	Closing dates
Honours Applications	22 December 2023
First-time Master’s Applications	04 September 2023
First-time Doctoral Applications	04 September 2023
Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support Applications	29 September 2023

Please refer to the Application and Funding Guide and Framework documents when completing the online application form at every step of the process.

For enquiries, applicants’ are encouraged to contact the Research or Postgraduate offices at their universities. Should there still be a need to contact the NRF, below are the contact persons and details:

For General honours related enquiries, please contact:

Mr Lehlogonolo Phaahla: Professional Officer – HICD. Telephone: 012 481 4315.

Email Address: LA.Phaahla@risa.nrf.ac.za

For General First-time master’s and doctoral, and NRF-DAAD related enquiries, please contact:

Ms Kgaugelo Molepo: Professional Officer – HICD. Telephone: 012 481 4148.

Email Address: KJ.Molepo@risa.nrf.ac.za

For master’s and doctoral Extension Support, NRF-SASAC, PDP and NRF-SASOL related enquiries, please contact:

Ms Nontokozo Kunene: Professional Officer – HICD. Telephone: 012 481 4105

Email Address: NS.Kunene@risa.nrf.ac.za

For National Skills Fund and NRF-MINDS related enquiries, please contact:

Ms Busisiwe Sibiya: Professional Officer – HICD. Telephone: 012 481 4166

Email Address: BG.Sibiya@risa.nrf.ac.za