The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa was established as an independent government agency, through the National Research Foundation Act [Act No.23 of 1998].
ScholarlyAfrica.com is pleased to announce to you about exciting scholarship opportunities with one of South Africa’s most recognised public research organisations.
About the National Research Foundation
The NRF promotes South African research and innovation interests across the country and internationally, and together with research institutions, business, industry and international partners we build bridges between research communities for mutual benefit that contributes to National Development.
The goal of the NRF is to create innovative funding instruments, advance research career development, increase public science engagement and to establish leading-edge research platforms that will transform the scientific landscape and inspire a representative research community to aspire to global competitiveness.
DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding: 2023
As a government mandated research and science development agency the NRF funds research, the development of high-end Human Capacity and critical research infrastructure to promote knowledge production across all disciplinary fields.
The DSI and NRF are pleased to announce a call for new applications for DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the academic year 2023.
These 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.
Who can apply?
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 equal 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.
Application procedure & Closing date
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.
Applicant Closing Dates:
| Level of study | Closing dates |
| Honours | 20 November 2022 |
| First-time Master’s | 08 July 2022 |
| First-time Doctoral | 08 July 2022 |
| Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support | 15 August 2022 |
Designated Authority (DA) Closing Dates:
| Level of study | Closing dates |
| Honours Applications | 23 December 2022 |
| First-time Master’s Applications | 02 September 2022 |
| First-time Doctoral Applications | 02 September 2022 |
| Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support Applications | 30 September 2022 |
Please refer to the Application and Funding Guide and Framework documents when completing the online application form at every step of the process. Documents available at https://www.nrf.ac.za/funding/call-documents/nrf-call-for-proposals-for-funding-in-2022-and-2023/
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 and NRF-TWAS related enquiries, please contact:
Mr Lehlogonolo Phaahla: Professional Officer – HICD. Telephone: 012 481 4315.
Email Address: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
For National Skills Fund and NRF-MINDS related enquiries, please contact:
Ms Busisiwe Sibiya: Professional Officer – HICD. Telephone: 012 481 4166
Email Address: [email protected]
For Global Knowledge Partnerships related enquiries, please contact:
Mr Nelson Komane: Professional Officer – HICD. Telephone: 012 481 4219.
Email Address: [email protected]
For First-time SARChI honours, master’s and doctoral related enquiries, please contact:
Ms Andisiwe Jukuda: Professional Officer – RCCE. Telephone: 012 481 4113.
Email Address: [email protected]
For First-time CoEs honours, master’s and doctoral related enquiries, please contact:
Ms Malekgotla Finger: Professional Officer – RCCE. Telephone: 012 481 4003.
Email Address: [email protected]
For NRF-SARAO postgraduate scholarships related enquiries, please contact:
Annah Mashemola: Professional Officer, HCD, NRF-SARAO. Telephone: 012 442 2434.
Email Address: [email protected]
The original site of this opportunity is available at: https://www.nrf.ac.za/dsi-nrf-postgraduate-student-funding-for-the-2023-academic-year/
Bongani Parker has 4 years experience writing and curating verified entry-level jobs, internships, bursaries and career resources for South African youth. Every month, Scholarly Africa reaches at least 1 million job-seekers in South Africa alone.
