Student funding

NRF bursary

NRF bursary: National honours, master's and doctoral funding administered through NRF Connect and participating institutions. This page explains the official route without promising an award.

Evidence checked South AfricaSome 2027 calls remain open · deadline
Short answer

Requirements depend on level and call. The current framework includes academic, registration-period, citizenship or residence, financial-need and full-time-study conditions.

What it may cover

Funding and study level

Full Cost of Study or Partial Cost of Study funding depending on the call and applicant category.

honoursmastersdoctoralall disciplines subject to the current funding framework

What to do

Apply before the published deadline

1

Check how this route worksSome 2027 calls remain open; published deadline 23 November 2026. Old adverts and screenshots may have expired.

2

Compare the rules with your situationRead the short answer above one condition at a time. If a condition is unclear, ask the provider before sending documents.

3

Use the official applicationOpen the provider route on this page and use its own form or portal before the published deadline.

4

Keep your records privateSave results, document lists, submitted forms and reference numbers that apply to you. Never share an OTP, password or banking PIN.

Direct answers

DSTI-NRF postgraduate funding questions

Who should check DSTI-NRF postgraduate funding?

Requirements depend on level and call. The current framework includes academic, registration-period, citizenship or residence, financial-need and full-time-study conditions.

What can DSTI-NRF postgraduate funding pay for?

Full Cost of Study or Partial Cost of Study funding depending on the call and applicant category.

Is DSTI-NRF postgraduate funding open now?

Some 2027 calls remain open. The official source was checked on 30 August 2026; confirm the live call before sending documents.