NRF Postgraduate Funding (International Students)

Overview

South Africa's National Research Foundation funds master's and doctoral research across science, engineering, social sciences and humanities at South African universities, with a portion of awards set aside for international students who meet NRF's academic criteria. Funding is generally structured as a stipend supporting study and research costs at a partnering South African institution.

Funding

Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS) funding covering tuition and a maintenance/living allowance, depending on citizenship, financial need, and academic merit

Eligibility

• Open to a limited allocation of international postgraduate students alongside South African citizens/residents
• Enrolment (or intended enrolment) in a Master's or PhD program at a South African university
• Strong academic record meeting NRF's minimum funding criteria
• Research proposal aligned with an NRF-supported field
• Apply online through the NRF's Information Portal during the annual call period (typically opens Aug–Sept)

Application Deadline

Deadlines vary by funding instrument and academic level; institutions often set earlier internal deadlines than the NRF's own cut-off - check the current NRF call and your university's internal deadline each year. Always confirm exact dates on the official site before planning your application, since deadlines shift year to year.

How to Apply

1. Register and apply exclusively online via the NRF Connect System (nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za) - manual applications are not accepted
2. Consult the relevant NRF General Application Guide and Funding Framework document for your funding instrument
3. Complete the online application form and attach all required documents in PDF format
4. Meet the minimum academic requirement (typically 65% in the previous qualifying degree)
5. Submit before both the NRF and your university's internal deadlines, and follow up with your university's postgraduate/research office