NRF: Freestanding, Innovation and Scarce Skills Development Masters and Doctoral Scholarships 2017

Deadline: 29 July 2016

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) is currently inviting applications for its Scholarships 2017 in the following categories: Free-standing, Innovation, and Scarce Skills Development fund Masters and Doctoral Scholarships; as well as Scholarships for 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 2017 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 Information

Innovation, SSDF and students with disability:
- Masters: R90 000 (per annum) for 2 years
- Doctoral: R120 000 (per annum) for 3 years
NRF Freestanding:
- Masters: R50 000 (per annum) for 2 years
- Doctoral: R70 000 (per annum) for 3 years
Doctoral Abroad:
- Doctoral: 22 000 USD (per annum) for 4 years

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria listed below applies to applicants for Masters and Doctoral scholarships:
- 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.
- Scarce Skills Development Fund Scholarships are open to South African citizens and South African permanent residents only registered at a South African public university.
The eligibility criteria listed below applies 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.