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 Honours Student Funding for the 2027 Academic Year

The DSTI and NRF are pleased to announce a call for new applications for DSTI-NRF Honours Student Funding for the 2027 academic year. 

The NRF minimum academic requirement for the honours scholarship is an average of 65% for major subjects in the final year of the undergraduate study and is available for South African citizens and permanent residents only. 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 students 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 (students who obtain an average of 75% and above). The PCS funding will be awarded to students who could not be funded under FCS but meet other minimum requirements for the NRF scholarship funding criteria. The honours scholarship is intended to support candidates to pursue studies in all areas of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

All interested candidates can apply on the NRF Connect System by accessing the link: https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za/. No manual applications will be accepted.

Applications closing date: 30 October 2026 (ISFAP assessment: 14 August 2026)

Important instructions for applicants

Before beginning your online application, you are required to carefully read through the Application and Funding Guide and Framework documents. These documents provide essential information that must be referenced at every step of the process to ensure your application is completed correctly.

All postgraduate call documents are available for download on the NRF website. 

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Research or Postgraduate offices at their universities for enquiries. Should there still be a need to contact the NRF, below are the contact details: 

For technical related enquiries, please contact: 
NRF Supportdesk
Telephone: 012 481 4202
Email: supportdesk@nrf.ac.za

Queries related to specific funding opportunities can be directed to: PGPreAward@nwu.ac.za/Yolanda.Nxumalo@nwu.ac.za

The subject line of your email must have the following information in order to be routed correctly: 
•    Level i.e., Honours 
•    Funding opportunity e.g., General, SARChI, SASOL, EMET etc
•    Application reference number starting with prefix PMDS25…

NRF FRAUD LINE to anonymously report any irregular, corrupt, or unethical conduct relating to funding:
Telephone: 0800111729
SMS: 30916
Email: nrf@thehotline.co.za 

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 2027
• FAQ's
• DSI-NRF honours scholarships application guide for the 2027 academic year
• SARAO master's scholarships application guide for the 2027 academic year
• SARAO doctoral scholarships application guide for the 2027 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 / /PGPreAward@nwu.ac.za

Teephone: 018 285 2081
 

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

Telephone: 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