Advancing Higher Degree Qualifications of Emerging Researchers

Advancing Higher Degree Qualifications of Emerging Researchers funding is made available in support of the completion of Master's and Doctoral degrees of NWU staff members. 
Target Group: full-time, permanently employed/fixed term appointments with benefits, registered for a first Master's/Doctoral degree, who has not received this previously for the same degree/level and intends to submit for examination in 2026.
Eligibility 

• NWU employees– full-time, permanently appointed, or appointed for a fixed term with full benefits whose contract is not ending in the funding year. 
• Applicants must be registered for a master's or doctoral degree with the intent of submitting for examination in the funding year. Priority will be given to candidates who provide proof of notices of submission. 
• Preference will be given to underrepresented groups (gender, race, campus) 
• A candidate is only eligible to receive the grant once per level i.e. once for a master's degree and once for a doctoral degree. 
• No second master's or doctoral degree per person will be funded.

Kindly note that funds will have to be spent in the funding year i.e. 2026. Unspent funds will be written back, and accounts will be closed. If this is not achievable, applications should rather be submitted in the following round (2026).
The signed application form, after obtaining all relevant signatures, should be returned to Mrs Amanda Koto before the 27 February 2026 to be considered for the first round of awards, after which the call may be repeated depending on the availability of funds.