NRF Postgraduate Scholarship

1. 1

   Choose the South African public university where you will register; your application is routed to its research or postgraduate office (the NRF Designated Authority)

2. 2

   Register or log in on the NRF Connect System at nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za and complete your profile, including a certified ID copy

3. 3

   Complete the online application for your level and funding category, following the NRF Application and Funding Guide and the 2027 Postgraduate Funding Framework

4. 4

   To be assessed for financial need, complete the ISFAP consent form or upload proof of NSFAS/ISFAP funding (Honours applicants who needed an ISFAP assessment for 2027 had to apply in August 2026)

5. 5

   Master's and Doctoral applicants: arrange supervisor support and nominate academic referees, who are emailed automatically when you submit

6. 6

   Submit before the closing date: 23 November 2026 for Honours (General) in the 2027 cycle; first-time Master's and Doctoral applications closed on 3 July 2026. No manual applications are accepted

7. 7

   Your university screens and ranks applications and submits eligible ones to the NRF, which makes the final award decision; continuing students submit a progress report instead of a new application

Frequently Asked Questions

When do NRF applications close for 2027?

Honours (General) applications for 2027 close on 23 November 2026 on NRF Connect, and universities then submit eligible applications to the NRF by 29 January 2027. First-time Master's and Doctoral applications for 2027 closed on 3 July 2026, and extension-support applications closed on 14 August 2026.

What's the difference between NRF FCS and PCS funding?

Full Cost of Study (FCS) is for South African citizens and permanent residents who are financially needy (household income of R350,000 a year or less), living with a disability, or exceptional achievers (75% or more). For 2027 it pays R180,000 (Honours), R190,000 (Master's) or R200,000 (Doctoral) a year. Partial Cost of Study (PCS) goes to applicants who meet the academic criteria but not the FCS criteria, including international Master's and Doctoral students, at R140,000, R145,000 or R150,000 a year.

What academic average do I need for NRF funding?

The NRF minimum is a 65% average in your previous qualification (for Honours, in your final-year major subjects). Exceptional achievers with an average of 75% or more qualify for Full Cost of Study funding.

Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit when you apply, but 80% of 2027 funding goes to applicants within the age limits: 28 or younger for Honours, 30 or younger for Master's and 32 or younger for Doctoral study, by 31 December 2026. The other 20% goes to applicants outside these limits.

How do I apply for an NRF scholarship?

Apply online through the NRF Connect System at nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za; no manual or email applications are accepted. Your application goes to the university where you plan to register, which screens it and submits eligible applications to the NRF. Funding queries go to [email protected], and technical queries to the NRF support desk on 012 481 4202.

Which fields does the NRF fund?

The NRF funds postgraduate study in all areas of science, engineering, technology, the social sciences and the humanities, with about 80% of awards going to science, engineering and technology fields and 20% to the social sciences and humanities.