Can undergraduate students apply for the Discovery Foundation Awards?

No. Despite often being listed as a 'bursary', this is not an undergraduate or student bursary. Eligibility is restricted to qualified medical professionals — registrars, senior doctors and specialists — and to institutions or faculties. Undergraduate health-sciences students cannot apply.

What award types does the Discovery Foundation offer?

There are five award types: Academic Fellowship Awards (research-focused academic medicine), Sub-specialist Awards (HPCSA-accredited sub-specialist training), and three Rural/Underserved Areas categories — Individual, Institutional, and Distinguished Visitor awards.

When do applications close?

Closing dates vary by category. Academic Fellowship and Sub-specialist Awards close around 30 October (23 October in the 2024 cycle), while Rural/Underserved Areas awards close around 15 January. These dates are indicative — verify the exact dates for each cycle on the official Discovery Foundation Awards page.

How much funding is available?

Amounts depend on the award. Individual research-support awards for registrars are up to R25,000, while grants for senior medical doctors and institutions range from R250,000 to R500,000. Sub-specialist award funding is paid to the hosting university.

Postgraduate

Discovery Foundation Awards

Discovery Foundation

The Discovery Foundation Awards are grants for qualified medical professionals and institutions, not an undergraduate bursary. They fund academic-medicine training, sub-specialist qualifications, and healthcare in rural and underserved areas. Eligibility is restricted to registrars, senior doctors and specialists, and universities or faculties; undergraduate students cannot apply.

Amount: Individual research-support awards up to R25,000; senior medical doctor and institutional grants of R250,000 to R500,000 (one-year, institutions may apply up to three years)
Deadline: 30 October 2026
Duration: One-year grants; institutional awards may apply for up to three years
Renewable: No

Apply on official site

Eligible Fields of Study

Discovery Foundation supports students in the following disciplines

Academic medicine / clinician-scientist training (Masters & Doctoral)

Sub-specialist medical training (HPCSA-accredited)

Rural and underserved healthcare (family medicine and related specialist disciplines)

Eligibility Requirements

✓ Restricted to qualified medical professionals and institutions — not undergraduate students
✓ Academic Fellowship Awards: qualified applicants pursuing research-focused academic medicine (Masters/Doctoral, clinician scientists)
✓ Sub-specialist Awards: must hold an existing specialist qualification; for HPCSA-accredited sub-specialist training; faculties may apply
✓ Rural/Underserved Individual Awards: open to registrars (MMed) and senior medical doctors, including specialists
✓ South African citizenship or permanent residency required for individual applicants
✓ Institutional awards: open to institutions/faculties supporting training and capacity development in rural/underserved areas

What's Included

✓ Research support funding for registrars (up to R25,000)
✓ Grants of R250,000-R500,000 for senior medical doctors and for institutions
✓ Salary support / sabbatical and development time for award recipients
✓ Funding paid to the hosting university for sub-specialist awards

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Discovery Foundation bursary application

1
Review the relevant award category and eligibility on the official Discovery Foundation Awards page
2
Download the current Discovery Foundation Awards application guide (PDF) for the cycle
3
Confirm you qualify as a registrar, senior doctor/specialist, or eligible institution/faculty
4
Prepare the required application materials, including a research or training proposal
5
Submit the completed application before the closing date for your award category
6
Applications are reviewed by the Foundation's selection panel and awards are announced after assessment

Required Documents

📄 Proof of South African citizenship or permanent residency (individual applicants)
📄 Proof of professional registration / specialist qualification (HPCSA where applicable)
📄 Research or training proposal relevant to the award category
📄 Supporting documentation from the hosting university or institution where required

Frequently Asked Questions

Can undergraduate students apply for the Discovery Foundation Awards?: No. Despite often being listed as a 'bursary', this is not an undergraduate or student bursary. Eligibility is restricted to qualified medical professionals — registrars, senior doctors and specialists — and to institutions or faculties. Undergraduate health-sciences students cannot apply.
What award types does the Discovery Foundation offer?: There are five award types: Academic Fellowship Awards (research-focused academic medicine), Sub-specialist Awards (HPCSA-accredited sub-specialist training), and three Rural/Underserved Areas categories — Individual, Institutional, and Distinguished Visitor awards.
When do applications close?: Closing dates vary by category. Academic Fellowship and Sub-specialist Awards close around 30 October (23 October in the 2024 cycle), while Rural/Underserved Areas awards close around 15 January. These dates are indicative — verify the exact dates for each cycle on the official Discovery Foundation Awards page.
How much funding is available?: Amounts depend on the award. Individual research-support awards for registrars are up to R25,000, while grants for senior medical doctors and institutions range from R250,000 to R500,000. Sub-specialist award funding is paid to the hosting university.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 30 October 2026

Apply on Discovery Foundation's official site

Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

Other Postgraduate bursaries

More funding opportunities in this field

SACTA NPC Trust Bursary

South African Cultivar & Technology Agency (SACTA) NPC (administered by Agri Manage Solutions (Pty) Ltd)

The SACTA NPC Trust Bursary funds South African postgraduate students whose research advances the country's grain and oilseed breeding and technology industry, covering Honours, Master's and Doctoral studies in fields such as plant breeding, agronomy and seed technology. Master's by dissertation students receive R99,750 per year for up to two years and Doctoral researchers R131,250 per year for up to three years. The bursary is funded from statutory breeding and technology levies on self-pollinated grain and oilseed crops and carries a work-back obligation in the South African grain and oilseed industry.

View details →

SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme

South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

The SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme funds Honours, Master's and Doctoral students pursuing STEM qualifications linked to South Africa's space sector, including space science, Earth observation, remote sensing, GIS and engineering. It targets financially needy, high-achieving students under the age of 32 who want to build a career in the country's growing space industry.

View details →

DAAD Scholarships for Study and Research in Germany

DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service / Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg, hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand, responsible for South Africa and Southern Africa)

The DAAD Scholarships are funded by the German government's academic exchange service to support South African and Sub-Saharan African graduates to complete a Master's or PhD in Germany. The portfolio includes the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master's in Public Policy and Good Governance), Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), and DAAD Research Grants for doctoral and bi-nationally supervised study. Awards cover a monthly stipend, tuition, travel, insurance and a funded German language course, with the DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg providing free information and consultation sessions.

View details →

View all postgraduate bursaries →