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Honours, Masters, PhDFully Funded

DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding (South Africa)

Last verified 31 August 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

South Africa's National Research Foundation funds Honours, Master's and Doctoral students at public South African universities, with a share of awards open to international students.

Provider
National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa
Host country
South Africa
Deadline
Annual — mid-year call for the following academic year
Region
Africa

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
Primarily South African citizens and permanent residents registering for Honours, Master's or Doctoral study at a South African public university; a limited quota is reserved for international students. Applications must be endorsed by the host institution.
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
Honours, Masters, PhD
Deadline
Annual — mid-year call for the following academic year

Key eligibility criteria

  • Primarily South African citizens and permanent residents registering for Honours, Master's or Doctoral study at a South African public university; a limited quota is reserved for international students. Applications must be endorsed by the host institution.

Recorded funding information

  • Fully Funded

About the DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding (South Africa) (2026)

## Overview The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Research Foundation (DSTI-NRF) run South Africa's largest postgraduate funding scheme. Separate calls cover Honours, Master's and Doctoral study for the coming academic year. ## What it covers Full-cost or partial-cost awards covering tuition, a living allowance and, for doctoral candidates, research running costs. ## How to apply Applications are submitted through the NRF Connect system, usually mid-year for the following academic year, and must be endorsed by your university's postgraduate funding office before the institutional deadline.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Fully Funded

DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding (South Africa) eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Primarily South African citizens and permanent residents registering for Honours, Master's or Doctoral study at a South African public university; a limited quota is reserved for international students. Applications must be endorsed by the host institution.

DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding (South Africa) document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding (South Africa) 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://www.nrf.ac.za/dsti-nrf-postgraduate-student-funding-for-the-2027-academic-year/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: Primarily South African citizens and permanent residents registering for Honours, Master's or Doctoral study at a South African public university; a limited quota is reserved for international students. Applications must be endorsed by the host institution.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: Annual — mid-year call for the following academic year. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding (South Africa) deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: Annual — mid-year call for the following academic year. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      Annual — mid-year call for the following academic year

      Provider deadline information: Annual — mid-year call for the following academic year. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

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    Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding (South Africa)?+

    Primarily South African citizens and permanent residents registering for Honours, Master's or Doctoral study at a South African public university; a limited quota is reserved for international students. Applications must be endorsed by the host institution.

    What funding does the DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding (South Africa) offer?+

    Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: Annual — mid-year call for the following academic year. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://www.nrf.ac.za/dsti-nrf-postgraduate-student-funding-for-the-2027-academic-year/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Primarily South African citizens and permanent residents registering for Honours, Master's or Doctoral study at a South African public university; a limited quota is reserved for international students. Applications must be endorsed by the host institution.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Annual — mid-year call for the following academic year. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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