The major sources of merit-based awards are the 2 state-funded research councils:

• National Research Foundation (NRF)
• Medical Research Council (MRC)

National Research Foundation

The NRF provides various funding opportunities for postgraduate honours, master’s and doctoral students intending to study at UCT.

The DSI and NRF are pleased to announce a call for new applications for DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the academic year 2024. All continuing students who are eligible for a second or third year of funding must submit a Progress Report and not a new application.
 
The NRF minimum academic requirement for postgraduate funding is 65%. The entry age requirement is 28, 30 and 32 years or younger for honours, master’s and doctoral studies respectively, in the year of application, regardless of first year of registration. Successful applicants will be funded either at Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS).

The FCS funding will be awarded to South African citizens and Permanent Residents only, who are either financially needy (i.e., those whose combined household family income is less than or equals to R350 000 per annum), living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers. However, the PCS funding will be awarded to 5% of international students including South African citizens and Permanent Residents who could not be funded under FCS but meet other minimum requirements for the NRF scholarship funding criteria.

The scholarships are intended to support honours, master’s and doctoral candidates to pursue studies in all areas of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

NRF Application Closing Dates:

All the postgraduate students will be expected to apply online on the NRF Connect system. No manual applications will be accepted.

NRF Travel Grant Applications for Scholarship- and Fellowship-Holders

Call for applications

The cut off dates for institutions to send eligible applications to the NRF are as follows

Please refer to the application and funding guide and framework documents (as listed below) when completing the online application form at every step of the process.

Document direct links

• Review Criteria for Honours - First-time Masters & Doctoral  and Extension Support Applications
• DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship Framework for 2023 Funding
• Frequently Asked Questions Postgraduate Funding
• ISFAP – Application Consent Form
• NRF Recognised Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
• NRF Statement of expectation for Postgraduate Training 2023
• DSI-NRF Honours Application and Funding Guide for 2023
• DSI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral Application and Funding Guide for 2023
• SARAO Postgraduate Scholarships Application Guide for the 2023 Academic Year

Medical Research Council (MRC)

For more information regarding the requirements for the MRC's 2 scholarships, please visit the Medical Research Council's website.