DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding

About this scholarship

DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding supports honours, master's, and doctoral candidates at South African universities across Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. The official NRF 2026 call states that successful applicants are funded either at Full Cost of Study or Partial Cost of Study. Full Cost of Study funding is awarded to South African citizens and permanent residents who are financially needy, living with a disability, or exceptional academic achievers. Partial Cost of Study funding is awarded to 5 percent of international students as well as South African citizens and permanent residents who could not be funded under Full Cost of Study but meet minimum scholarship criteria. The award is recorded as varies because funding level depends on citizenship, category, financial need, disability, academic status, and NRF rules. The minimum academic requirement is 65 percent for the previous degree. Applications are submitted online through NRF Connect; no manual applications are accepted. Closing dates differ by level and institution-designated authority submission stage.

Eligibility

• Apply for honours, master's, or doctoral postgraduate funding at a South African university
• Have at least 65% for the previous degree unless a specific framework rule differs
• Submit the application through NRF Connect
• Meet citizenship and category rules for Full Cost of Study or Partial Cost of Study funding
• Apply by the level-specific student deadline
• Work with the university postgraduate or research office for designated authority processes