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
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% 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:
Level of study | Opening dates | Closing dates |
Honours (General) | 01 July 2025 | 21 November 2025 |
NRF-SARAO Honours | 01 June 2025 | 31 August 2025 |
First-time Master's | 14 May 2025 | 04 July 2025 |
First-time Doctoral | 04 July 2025 |
Master's and Doctoral Extension Support | 15 August 2025 |
The Designated Authority (DA) Submission to NRF Closing Dates:
Level of study | Closing dates |
Honours Applications (Institutions to claim funds) | 31 March 2025 |
First-time Master’s Applications | 05 September 2025 |
First-time Doctoral Applications | 05 September 2025 |
Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support Applications | 30 September 2025 |
NB: Honours General Scholarships will open in July 2025.
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.
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 Support desk
Telephone: 012 481 4202
Email: supportdesk@nrf.ac.za
Queries related to specific funding opportunities can be directed to: postgraduatequeries@risa.nrf.ac.za.
The subject line of your email must have the following information in order to be routed correctly:
- Level i.e., Honours, 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.
For SARAO Honours-related enquiries, please contact:
Mkhululi Jodwana at mjodwana@sarao.ac.za. Telephone: 011 268 3412.
NRF FRAUD LINE to anonymously report any irregular, corrupt, or unethical conduct relating to funding:
Telephone: 0800 111 729
SMS: 30916
Email: nrf@thehotline.co.za
We would appreciate if you could advertise the funding call and disseminate the information widely within your institution.
Regards
NRF Supportdesk
