DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship South Africa 2025

 

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER – NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (NRF)

The National Research Foundation (NRF) was established over 20 years ago, as an independent government agency. The NRF is the intermediary agency between the policies and strategies of the South African Government and South Africa’s research institutions.

The mandate of the foundation is to promote and support research, by way of human resource development, funding, as well as the provision of research facilities to assist with various aspects of the science and technology sectors.

The NRF has 3 major functions:
1) supporting research and innovation, via the Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA),
2) encouraging an interest in science and technology, via the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), and
3) facilitating research through its various National Research Facilities
 

ABOUT THE DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The DSI and NRF are inviting students to apply for DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding, for the 2025 academic Year.

The scholarship will be awarded for Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies, within these fields:

  • Science
  • Engineering
  • Technology
  • Social Sciences
  • Humanities

 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

 

MORE ABOUT THE DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

Recipients will receive either Partial Cost of Study (PCS) or Full Cost Study (FCS), depending on whether they satisfy the requirements.

www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

  • You must be studying or intend on studying towards a Postgraduate qualification (Honours, Master’s or Doctoral) in the fields of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities, in 2025
  • You must be 28 or younger if applying for Honours funding
  • You must be 30 or younger if applying for Masters funding
  • You must be 32 or younger if applying for Doctoral funding
  • You must have achieved a minimum result of 65%
  • FCS funding: you must be a South African citizen or Permanent Resident, who is either financially needy (combined household family income NOT more than R350 000 per annum), living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP

Applications must be submitted online at: DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship Application 2025

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the DSI-NRF Scholarship.

Note: if you are a continuing student who is eligible for a second or third year of funding, you must NOT submit a new application, you must only submit a Progress Report.
 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be may be disqualified):

  • ID document (certified copy)
  • Full tertiary academic record to date (on institutes letterhead)
  • Proof of University enrolment (on institutions letterhead)
  • Parents/ guardians proof of household income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ SASSA grant letter if applicable)

 

CLOSING DATE FOR THE DSI-NRF SCHOLARSHIP

First-time Master’s: 5 July 2024.
First-time Doctoral: 5 July 2024.
Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support: 15 September 2024.
Honours (General): 22 November 2024.
Note: closing dates may differs by institutions, so check closing dates with your institution.
(Applications submitted after these dates will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact your Universities Research or Postgraduate office.

If you still need to contact the NRF, please contact the relevant person:
General honours related enquiries:

  • Contact person: Mr Lehlogonolo Phaahla: Professional Officer – HICD
  • Tel: 012 481 4315
  • Email: LA.Phaahla@risa.nrf.ac.za

General First-time master’s and doctoral, and NRF-DAAD related enquiries:

  • Contact person: Ms Kgaugelo Molepo: Professional Officer – HICD
  • Tel: 012 481 4148
  • Email: KJ.Molepo@risa.nrf.ac.za

Master’s and doctoral Extension Support, NRF-SASAC, PDP and NRF-SASOL related enquiries:

  • Contact person: Ms Nontokozo Kunene: Professional Officer – HICD
  • Tel: 012 481 4105
  • Email: NS.Kunene@risa.nrf.ac.za

National Skills Fund and NRF-MINDS related enquiries:

  • Contact person: Ms Busisiwe Sibiya: Professional Officer – HICD
  • Tel: 012 481 4166
  • Email: BG.Sibiya@risa.nrf.ac.za

Global Knowledge Partnerships related enquiries:

  • Contact person: Mr Nelson Komane: Professional Officer – HICD
  • Tel: 012 481 4219
  • Email: SN.Komane@risa.nrf.ac.za

First-time SARChI honours, master’s and doctoral related enquiries:

  • Contact person: Ms Andisiwe Jukuda: Professional Officer – RCCE
  • Tel: 012 481 4113
  • Email: AH.Jukuda@risa.nrf.ac.za

First-time CoEs honours, master’s and doctoral related enquiries:

  • Contact person: Ms Malekgotla Finger: Professional Officer – RCCE
  • Tel: 012 481 4003
  • Email: MD.Finger@risa.nrf.ac.za

NRF-SARAO postgraduate scholarships related enquiries:

  • Contact person: Annah Mashemola: Professional Officer, HCD, NRF-SARAO
  • Tel: 012 442 2434
  • Email: amashemola@ska.ac.za

 

Please do NOT contact the NRF if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

This bursary listing was last updated in June 2024.

SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.