Job Description

Opportunity: 2026 Master’s and Doctoral Funding Call
Organisation: National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa
Funding Link: View Full Call & Apply
Application Type: General and Specialised Funding Opportunities
Included: Master’s and Doctoral Extension Support (Honours to open in July 2025)

The Role

The NRF invites prospective Master's and Doctoral students to apply for the 2026 Postgraduate Student Funding Call. This initiative aims to support high-potential researchers across South African universities, advancing human capital development in research, innovation, and national development priorities. The funding opportunities include general NRF bursaries and specialised tracks such as SARChI, NRF-MINDS, and Manus MatSci.

Applicants will receive support through the Designated Authorities (DAs) at their universities, and must ensure their applications align with both NRF requirements and their institution’s internal timelines.

Requirements

To be considered for NRF 2026 Master’s or Doctoral funding, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

Eligibility

• Must be applying for Master’s or Doctoral studies at a South African public university.

• Must comply with the specific eligibility criteria as outlined in the 2026 Framework, including citizenship/residency, academic performance, and previous NRF funding status.

• Applicants for Extension Support must be currently registered and within the permissible timeframe for completing their degrees.

Academic and Application Requirements

• A completed online application submitted via the NRF Online Submission System.

• Compliance with university-specific internal closing dates.

• Must consult and follow:

  • NRF Framework Document

  • Application and Funding Guide

  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Guide

• Applications must be complete, correct, and submitted before the NRF and institutional deadlines.

• Incorrect or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Administrative and Support Information

• Contact your university's Postgraduate or Research Office (Designated Authority) for application support and internal deadlines.

• Use correct email subject line format when sending queries:

  • Level (e.g., Master’s, Doctoral)

  • Funding Opportunity (e.g., General, SARChI, NRF-MINDS)

  • Application Reference Number (e.g., PMDS25XXXXX)

• For specific funding queries: 📧 [email protected]

• For technical issues with the system: 📧 [email protected]