Scholarship Overview
The NRF offers various funding opportunities for postgraduate honours, master’s, and doctoral students planning to study at UCT. The 2026 funding call is now open.
Title: DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding 2026
Funding Organization: National Research Foundation (NRF)
Closing Date: 15 August 2024 (for some funding categories; refer to specific deadlines below)
Funding Details
Key Eligibility and Funding Criteria
- Minimum academic requirement: 65% in the previous degree
- Fields supported include Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities
Funding types
Full Cost of Study (FCS): For South African citizens and Permanent Residents meeting specific criteria (financial need, disability, or exceptional academic achievement)
Partial Cost of Study (PCS): For 5% of international students and eligible South African citizens/Permanent Residents who do not qualify for FCS
| 2025 FUNDING CALLS | NRF OPENING DATES | UCT CLOSING DATE | DA (PGFO) APPLICATION SCREENING | UCT INTERNAL REVIEW | DA (PGFO) CLOSING DATE |
| FT MAST (incl. SARAO MAST) | 14-May-25 | 04-Jul-25 | 07-Jul-25 TO 08-Aug-25 | 11-Aug-25 TO 29-Aug-25 (excl. SARAO MAST) | 05-Sep-25 |
| FT DOCT (incl. SARAO DOCT) | 14-May-25 | 04-Jul-25 | 07-Jul-25 TO 08-Aug-25 | 11-Aug-25 TO 29-Aug-25 (excl. SARAO DOCT) | 05-Sep-25 |
| EXT MAST AND DOCT | 14-May-25 | 15-Aug-25 | 18-Aug-25 TO 05-Sept-25 | 8-Sept-25 TO 22-Sept-25 | 30-Sep-25 |
| SARAO HONS | 01-Jun-25 | 01-Aug-25 | 18-Aug-25 TO 31-Aug-25 | NOT APPLICABLE | 31-Aug-25 |
| *HONS GENERAL | 01-Jul-25 | 31-Oct-25 | NOT APPLICABLE | NOT APPLICABLE | 31-Mar-26 |
| * NOTE Applicants requiring ISFAP assessment should submit their application no later than 2 SEPTEMBER 2025. | |||||
Resources and Documents
All students must submit their application online via the NRF Connect System at https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za/. Manual applications will not be accepted.
- DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship Framework for 2026 Funding (download)
- DSI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral Application and Funding Guide 2026 (download)
- Frequently Asked Questions Postgraduate Funding 2025 (14 May) (download)
- Application Guide for SARAO Master’s Scholarships for 2026 (download)
- Application Guide for SARAO Doctoral Scholarships for 2026 (download)
- NRF Statement of expectation for Postgraduate Training 2026 (download)
- ISFAP – Application Consent Form (download)
Note: Applicants requiring ISFAP assessment should submit their application by 2 September 2025.
Required Documentation
- A referee letter from your supervisor or head of department (template provided)
- For master’s applicants without a supervisor assigned, a signed letter from the HoD supporting the application and confirming supervision arrangements
How to Apply
- Access the application exclusively online via NRF Connect System
- Complete all sections carefully, referencing the relevant guide documents
- Upload all required documents, including the referee letter
For further information and detailed guidelines, visit:
https://www.nrf.ac.za/funding/nrf-call-for-proposals-for-funding-in-2025-and-2026/
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