Postgraduate Bursaries
Funding for Honours, Master's and PhD students at South African universities. Includes government-backed funding (NRF), foundation grants (Claude Leon, Canon Collins), and dedicated programmes for actuarial science and AI research.
4 postgraduate bursaries
- Postgraduate Closes 31 Jul 2026
AIMS Google DeepMind AI for Science Scholarship
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in partnership with Google DeepMind
The AIMS Google DeepMind Scholarship is a fully residential one-year Master's programme at AIMS South Africa, training African students in AI for Science — combining artificial intelligence and machine learning with real scientific research problems.
Fully funded Master's (tuition + accommodation + living expenses + medical insurance + flights)View details → - Postgraduate Closes 30 Sept 2026
Canon Collins RMTF Scholarship
Canon Collins Trust
The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarship funds postgraduate study at South African universities in Justice, Education and Humanities — open to nationals of 10 southern African countries pursuing Master's or PhD research with a focus on social change.
Between R20,000 and R100,000 per year (depending on circumstances)View details → - Postgraduate Closes 30 Sept 2026
Claude Leon Foundation Postgraduate Bursary
Claude Leon Foundation
The Claude Leon Foundation funds postgraduate research in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering and medical sciences at South African universities — including a flagship Honours bursary and a postdoctoral fellowship programme.
Varies by programme (Honours, Masters/PhD, or Postdoctoral Fellowship)View details → - Postgraduate Closes 31 Jul 2026
NRF Postgraduate Scholarship
National Research Foundation (NRF) / Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)
The NRF Postgraduate Scholarship is South Africa's flagship public research funding — a Full or Partial Cost of Study scholarship for Honours, Master's and PhD students at South African universities, awarded across all major disciplines and prioritising financial need, disability and exceptional academic achievement.
Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS) — value depends on level and funding categoryView details →
Postgraduate funding in South Africa — what to know
Honours vs Master's vs PhD funding
Honours funding is generally the most competitive — fewer bursaries cover the Honours year, and many funders prefer to start funding at Master's. The NRF covers all three levels, while bursaries like Claude Leon and Canon Collins focus on Master's and PhD research.
The work-back question
Unlike most undergraduate corporate bursaries, postgraduate funding typically does NOT come with a work-back obligation. The expectation is that you complete and publish your research, not that you join the funder as an employee.
Apply broadly
Postgraduate bursaries are awarded on academic merit and research proposal strength. Strong candidates routinely apply to 3–5 funders — there's no penalty for accepting one offer and declining others.