National Research Foundation Partnered NSFAS To Create More Funding Opportunities For Postgraduate Studies
The National Research Foundation has partnered with NSFAS to create initiatives that will see postgraduate students accessing more funding opportunities for their studies.
The National Research Foundation (NRF) announced that it will commence its five-year partnership with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) from April 2022, this aligns with the yearly call for postgraduate funding applications which the NRF open every year
The NSFAS bursary is currently only available to students pursuing their undergraduate qualification while the NRF funds postgraduate students who are studying towards a research-based postgraduate degree.
Through this partnership NSFAS-funded students who have completed their undergraduate qualification will be able to access funding from the NRF for their postgraduate studies. This will be based on their financial need and academic performance in their undergraduate qualification.
NRF Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo explained the benefits of the partnership agreement with NSFAS saying:
This agreement will advance the NRF’s strategic objective of creating a globally competitive and transformed research system, through supporting the development of human capital in prioritised areas and enhancing the equity of postgraduate student access, success, and throughput.
Nelwamondo says that the NRF’s investments in the various research infrastructures are expected to have a large impact in the research enterprise and ultimately benefit the broader South African society.
NSFAS CEO, Mr Andile Nongogo said that while NSFAS’ policy only allows them to fund undergraduate students, the partnership with the NRF will benefit these undergraduate students once they move into postgraduate studies.
This partnership will create a seamless transition for students and prevent them from having to search for alternative ways to fund their studies once they have completed their undergraduates studies.
The aim for both NSFAS and the NRF is to support students in their tertiary studies while promoting transformation initiatives for South African citizens who are Black, female or people living with disabilities.
