Grants🇿🇦 South Africa

DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the 2025 Academic Year

Posted July 19, 2026

About this opportunity

Opportunity Overview

The DSI and NRF are offering postgraduate student funding for the 2025 academic year. This funding is available for honours, master's, and doctoral studies in all areas of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. The minimum academic requirement for postgraduate funding is 65%. There is an entry age requirement of 28, 30, and 32 years or younger for honours, master's, and doctoral studies respectively. The funding will be awarded either as Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS). FCS funding is available to South African citizens and Permanent Residents who are financially needy, living with a disability, or exceptional academic achievers. 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. All postgraduate students must apply on the NRF Connect System. The application opening and closing dates vary depending on the level of study.

Benefits

Full Cost of Study (FCS) funding for South African citizens and Permanent Residents who are financially needy, living with a disability, or exceptional academic achievers
Partial Cost of Study (PCS) funding for 5% of international students, including South African citizens and Permanent Residents who could not be funded under FCS

Eligibility

Minimum academic requirement of 65%
Entry age requirement of 28, 30, and 32 years or younger for honours, master's, and doctoral studies respectively
Open to South African citizens and Permanent Residents for FCS funding
Open to international students for PCS funding
Combined household family income of less than or equal to R350 000 per annum for financially needy applicants

Required Documents

Progress Report for continuing students who are eligible for a second or third year of funding
Application form completed on the NRF Connect System

How to Apply

Check the application opening and closing dates for your level of study.
Complete the online application form on the NRF Connect System.
Click the Apply button below to submit your application.

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