DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarships

Fields of study

• All fields supported by the NRF, including science, engineering, humanities and social sciences

Who can apply

• Be registered, or planning to register, for Honours, Master's or Doctoral study at a South African public university
• Have at least 65% for your previous degree
• Full Cost of Study funding is for South Africans and permanent residents with household income of R350,000 or less, students with disabilities, or exceptional academic achievers

What the bursary covers

• Full or partial cost of study, depending on the funding category

Documents you will need

• Certified copy of your ID
• Full academic record
• Proof of registration or acceptance
• Household income documents if applying for full cost of study

Full bursary documents checklist

How to apply

1. Check the requirements

   Make sure you meet every requirement listed above. Applications that miss one are usually rejected automatically.

2. Prepare your documents

   Scan clear copies of everything the provider asks for, certified where required.

3. Apply through the official channel
   Apply on NRF Connect

   All applications go through NRF Connect. Manual applications are not accepted.

   Your university's postgraduate office has its own internal deadlines, which are often earlier than the NRF's.

4. Submit before the closing date

   Closes 23 November 2026. Honours (General) applications close on 23 November 2026. Master's, Doctoral and extension calls for 2027 have closed. Late applications are almost never accepted.

Genuine bursaries never charge an application fee. How to spot bursary scams

About DSI-NRF

The National Research Foundation (NRF) funds research and postgraduate training on behalf of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.