Please take note of the following:

• All NRF applications are submitted electronically on the NRF Connect System
• NWU researchers/students interested in applying must adhere to the Internal/applicant cut-off date to allow sufficient time for internal screening and amendments and to NOT miss the opportunity for their applications being submitted to the NRF for review.
• LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Applicants are strongly advised to submit their applications on/before the Internal/applicant cut-off date
  • Internal Announcement_ NRF Funding for Researchers
  • Internal Announcement_ NRF Funding for Students

DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the 2026 Academic Year

The DSI and NRF are pleased to announce a call for new applications for DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the academic year 2026.  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.

Students' applications opening and closing dates:

NB: No late applications will be considered. Students should adhere to the NWU INTERNAL CLOSING DATES.

NB: Honours General Scholarships will open in July 2025 and institutions will have until end of March 2025 to claim funds of recommended eligible students.
Honours applicants requiring ISFAP assessment should submit their applications by 02 September 2025.

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

• DSI-NRF postgraduate scholarship framework for 2025
• FAQ's
• SARAO master's scholarships application guide for the 2025 academic year
• SARAO doctoral scholarships application guide for the 2025 academic year
• NRF statement of expectation
• Application consent form

Below are the NWU contact persons and details:

Master's-related Queries
(First-time & extension support)
Ms Yolanda Nxumalo: 28219597@nwu.ac.za / 018 285 2081
 

Doctoral-related queries
(First-time & extension support)
Ms Yolanda Nxumalo: 28219597@nwu.ac.za / 018 285 2081

For further details and enquiries please contact the NWU Research Support Office first before contacting NRF

NRF Postgraduate Scholarships

NRF Emerging & Established Researcher Grants