Potential applicants are advised to complete their applications as soon as possible. NRF applications are submitted electronically on the NRF Connect System.

Queries regarding the application process must be directed to 28219597@nwu.ac.za. and include the following:

• Subject: funding opportunity applying for (i.e Honours/Masters/Doctoral)
• NRF Application reference number
• Problem/issue

DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the 2027 Academic Year

The DSTI and NRF are pleased to announce a call for new applications for DSTI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral Student Funding for the academic year 2027. 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% for the previous degree. 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 equal 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 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.

Students’ Applications Opening and Closing Dates:

Please refer to the Application and Funding Guide and Framework documents when completing the online application form at every step of the process. 

• NRF Postgraduate Funding Framework 2027
• FAQ's
• Application and Funding Guide for Extension Support for Masters and Doctoral Scholarships 2027
• Application and Funding Guide DSTI NRF Masters and Doctoral Scholarships 2027

*All postgraduate call documents can be accessed via the NRF website.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Research or Postgraduate offices at their universities for enquiries.

For technical related enquiries, please contact:

NRF Support desk
Telephone: 012 481 4202
Email: supportdesk@nrf.ac.za 

Queries related to specific funding opportunities can be directed to:PGPreAward@nwu.ac.za/Betty.Letebele@nwu.ac.za (NWU).

The subject line of your email must have the following information in order to be routed correctly: 

• Level i.e., Master’s or Doctoral 
• Funding opportunity e.g., General, SARChI, NRF-MINDS, Manus MatSci 
• Application reference number starting with prefix PMDS25…

For SARAO Master's and Doctoral-related enquiries, please contact: 
Annah Mashemola at amashemola@sarao.ac.za. Telephone: 011 268 3420.