Deadline: 11 July 2023
National Research Foundation (NRF)-DAAD Scholarship 2024
The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) award Master’s and Doctoral Scholarships to South African citizens including permanent residents for postgraduate studies at public South African Universities.
Benefits of the NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship (upon application):
*can only be awarded if the necessary financial means are available:
- Fully funded scholarship for postgraduate studies in South Africa
- Mobility grant for a short-term research visit of 3-6 months to Germany
- Participation in one of six interdisciplinary summer schools on offer in Germany
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 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: [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]
