Deadline: November 17, 2026
Applications are open for the DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme 2027. The National Research Foundation (NRF), in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), invites eligible early- and mid-career researchers to apply for the second cohort of the DSTI–NRF Policy Fellowship Programme.
The programme aims to strengthen the relationship between research and policymaking by placing researchers within designated host institutions, where they can contribute to policy development, analysis and implementation. Through these placements, Fellows will gain practical policy experience while supporting the use of research evidence to inform decision-making and address South Africa’s socio-economic and developmental challenges.
Building on the 2024 pilot programme, Cohort 2 offers a structured fellowship experience that combines a host institution placement with NRF-coordinated policy engagement, training and capacity development, including opportunities for international exposure and cross-sectoral networking.
Benefits
- Successful applicants will receive fellowship funding for a maximum period of 24 months, with an annual award value ranging from R240,000 to R320,000.
- Fellows will participate in both the host institution placement and the NRF-coordinated policy engagement and capacity development programme. Successful applicants will be required to agree to defined responsibilities, deliverables, participation requirements and reporting obligations.
Eligibility
- Open to early- and mid-career individuals who obtained their doctoral degree within the past 10 years.
- Applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents. In exceptional, well-justified cases, non-South African applicants may also be considered, subject to the programme’s limit of no more than 10% of all Fellowship recipients.
- Applicants must also be registered or employed, on a permanent or fixed-term basis, at an NRF-recognised research institution, or be able to secure such an affiliation before taking up the grant. Eligible institutions include public universities, science councils, museums and national facilities in South Africa.
Application
Compulsory attachments include:
- ID/Passport copy
- Proof of doctoral qualification; and
- For currently employed applicants, written confirmation from their employer or institution supporting their participation and availability to meet the fellowship’s placement, training, policy engagement and travel commitments.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Eligible and complete applications will undergo a competitive merit review process, which may include interviews with potential host institutions.
For more information, visit DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship.
