DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the 2026 Academic Year

A national postgraduate scholarship call to fund master’s and doctoral students for the 2026 academic year. Funding is awarded at either Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS). The scholarships support studies across Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities. Applications are submitted online via the NRF Connect system.

Scholarship funding for master’s and doctoral studies awarded as Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS).

NRF minimum academic requirement is 65% for the previous degree. FCS funding is awarded to South African citizens and Permanent Residents who are financially needy (household income ≤ R350 000 p.a.), living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers; PCS funding is awarded to 5% of international students including South African citizens and Permanent Residents who could not be funded under FCS. Continuing students eligible for a second or third year must submit a Progress Report rather than a new application.

Apply online through the NRF Connect system (https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za/). No manual applications accepted.