Deadline: July 21, 2017
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are pleased to announce the call for scholarship applications for 2018 in the following categories: Free-standing, Innovation, and Scarce Skills Development fund Masters and Doctoral Scholarships; as well as Scholarships for Freestanding Doctoral Studies Abroad.
The NRF makes funds available to support NRF Freestanding, SSDF and Innovation (including DST Priority Research Areas) Masters and Doctoral (including Doctoral abroad) candidates for the 2018 academic year. Masters and Doctoral scholarships are awarded through a competitive process following a merit review process. However, NRF Freestanding Masters bursaries are released as block grants to South African public Universities.
Funding
- The scholarship value for Masters degree is R90 000 (per annum) and the maximum funding period is 2 years.
- The scholarship value for Doctoral degree is R120 000 (per annum) and the maximum funding period is 3 years.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria listed below apply to applicants for Masters and Doctoral scholarships:
- Students who already hold NRF funding for Masters or Doctoral studies need not apply, they should submit an Annual Progress Report (APR) to renew funding for the following year;
- Scholarships are open to South African citizens, South African permanent residents as well as a limited percentage of non South African citizens registered at a South African public university;
- All applicants for full-time Masters or Doctoral studies in South Africa must be registered, or intending to register at a South African public university;
- Applicants that already hold a degree at the level for which they are applying for funding, are not eligible;
- Applicants with an in progress or a three year undergraduate degree are not eligible to apply.
The eligibility criteria listed below apply to all applicants for Doctoral abroad scholarship:
- Scholarships are open to South African citizens, including permanent residents, only;
- All applicants for full-time doctoral studies abroad must be registered, or intending to register at a university abroad; and
- Applications will only be considered if the application includes a provisional letter of acceptance for doctoral studies from the university abroad.
Application Process
- Applicants must apply on the NRF Online Submission System and follow the application process set out in the Application and Funding Guide.
- Please attach the following documents on the attachment section of your online application:
- Certified South African Identity Document or Passport in the case of non-South Africans;
- Certified academic record or, in case of applicants with outstanding fees due to the university, attach an official i.e. stamped and signed statement stating that the transcript is not issued due to outstanding fees owed to the university;
- Proof of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) or University Financial Aid funding for applicants that have indicated that they were previously funded by NSFAS or University Financial aid;
- Provisional letter of acceptance from an abroad university, in case of Doctoral Abroad applicants; and
- Applicants with disabilities must upload a medical certificate, in support of the disability
- All applicants must consult with his/her proposed supervisor in the process of submitting an application to ensure that the supervisor is in agreement with the scientific aspects contained in the application and, the proposed work plan for completion of the degree.
For more information, visit NRF Freestanding, Innovation and Scarce Skills Scholarships.
