NRF Bursary Requirements For 2026/2027

If you are a postgraduate student in South Africa — or planning to become one — the National Research Foundation (NRF) bursary is one of the most important funding opportunities you can pursue. The NRF provides scholarships for Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral students across all fields of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. It is a research-focused bursary, meaning it supports students who are serious about contributing to South Africa’s knowledge economy through academic research. Understanding the NRF bursary requirements is essential if you want to avoid submitting an application that gets rejected on a technicality. This guide covers every eligibility criterion, the two funding categories, the fields of study supported, the application process, and the key deadlines you need to know for the 2025/2026 funding cycle.

What Is the NRF Bursary?

The National Research Foundation is an independent government agency established in 1999 under the National Research Foundation Act. It operates under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and serves as the bridge between government policy and South Africa’s research institutions. The NRF’s primary mandate is to support research excellence and human resource development at the postgraduate level.

The DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding programme is the main bursary channel. It provides financial support to postgraduate students at South African public universities who are pursuing research-based qualifications. The programme is not designed for undergraduate students — it specifically targets Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral candidates. The NRF funds students in virtually every academic discipline, making it one of the broadest postgraduate funding schemes in the country. However, the NRF bursary requirements are strict, and only students who meet all criteria are considered for funding.

NRF Bursary Requirements: Complete Eligibility Breakdown

The NRF bursary requirements cover academic performance, age limits, citizenship, and institutional registration. Here is the full list of criteria you must meet:

• Minimum Academic Requirement: You must have achieved at least 65% in your previous completed degree. This applies across all levels — if you are applying for an Honours bursary, you need 65% in your undergraduate degree; for a Master’s bursary, you need 65% in your Honours; and for a Doctoral bursary, 65% in your Master’s.
• Age Requirements: You must be 28 years or younger for Honours funding, 30 years or younger for Master’s funding, and 32 years or younger for Doctoral funding. These age limits apply in the year of application, regardless of when you first registered for your current programme.
• Citizenship and Residency: South African citizens and permanent residents receive priority for Full Cost of Study (FCS) funding. A small allocation (approximately 5%) is reserved for international students from SADC countries and the rest of the world under the Partial Cost of Study (PCS) category.
• Financial Need (for FCS funding): To qualify for Full Cost of Study funding, your combined household family income must be R350,000 per annum or less, OR you must be living with a disability, OR you must be an exceptional academic achiever.
• University Registration: You must be registered or accepted at a recognised South African public university for a postgraduate programme. The NRF does not fund students at private institutions or TVET colleges.
• Research Supervisor: For Master’s and Doctoral applicants, you must have identified a research supervisor at the time of application. Your supervisor plays a key role in the application process and must provide an academic reference through the NRF Connect system.
• Academic Referee Response: Your nominated academic referees must submit their reports through the NRF Connect system before the closing date. If a referee does not respond, your university cannot submit your application to the NRF. This is a strict requirement — no exceptions.

Two Funding Categories: FCS and PCS

One of the most important aspects of the NRF bursary requirements is understanding the difference between Full Cost of Study (FCS) and Partial Cost of Study (PCS) funding, as they determine how much financial support you receive.

Full Cost of Study (FCS)

FCS is the more comprehensive funding package. It is reserved exclusively for South African citizens and permanent residents who meet at least one of the following conditions: your combined household income is R350,000 or less per year, you are living with a disability, or you are an exceptional academic achiever. FCS funding covers tuition fees, accommodation, a book and equipment allowance, and a living stipend. This is the NRF’s way of ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented researchers from completing their postgraduate qualifications.

Partial Cost of Study (PCS)

PCS funding is a smaller financial contribution. It is available to South African citizens and permanent residents who meet the minimum academic requirements but do not qualify for FCS, as well as to a limited number of international students (approximately 5% of total funded students). PCS typically covers a portion of tuition fees and may include a modest stipend. Students on PCS funding are allowed to receive supplementary or top-up funding from other private-sector sources, government sources, or their supervisor’s research running expenses.

Fields of Study Funded by the NRF

Unlike many bursaries that restrict funding to specific scarce-skills fields, the NRF supports postgraduate research across a very broad spectrum. The DSTI-NRF bursary covers Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral studies in all areas of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. This includes disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, all branches of Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, History, Philosophy, Linguistics, Education, Law, and many more. The NRF also operates specialised funding streams through partnerships like the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), which offers dedicated scholarships for students in Astronomy, Physics, and Engineering related to radio astronomy. If your research falls within any recognised academic discipline at a South African public university, you are likely eligible to apply — provided you meet the other NRF bursary requirements.

How to Apply for the NRF Bursary

All NRF bursary applications are submitted electronically through the NRF Connect system. No manual or paper-based applications are accepted. Here is how the process works:

1. Create an NRF Connect Profile: Visit nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za and register an account using your personal details. Complete your profile in full, including your academic history and CV.
2. Check the Funding Call: The NRF publishes specific funding calls for each academic year. For 2026 funding, the call for Master’s and Doctoral applications opens in mid-2025, while Honours calls typically open in July. Always check the NRF website for the latest call documents and funding guides.
3. Complete the Online Application: Fill in all sections of the application form on NRF Connect. You will need to provide details about your academic background, your proposed research, your financial situation, and your supervisor’s information.
4. Nominate Academic Referees: Add the names and email addresses of your academic referees. The system automatically sends them a request to submit a reference report. For Master’s and Doctoral applicants, your supervisor is a mandatory referee.
5. Upload Supporting Documents: Upload your academic transcripts, proof of registration or acceptance, ID document, and any other documents required by the specific funding call.
6. Submit Through Your University: NRF applications are routed through your university’s Research or Postgraduate office. Your institution has its own internal deadline, which is typically earlier than the NRF’s national deadline. Contact your university’s postgraduate office to confirm the internal cut-off date.

This last point is critical. Even if the NRF’s national deadline has not passed, your university may close applications weeks earlier for internal screening and quality checks. Always work to your institution’s internal deadline, not the NRF’s published date.

Important Deadlines for 2026 Funding

Timing is everything with NRF applications. Here are the key dates for the 2026 academic year:

• Master’s and Doctoral Applications: The DSTI-NRF call for new Master’s and Doctoral applications for 2026 opens in mid-2025. The national closing date varies, but universities set internal deadlines that are typically in August or September 2025. Honours applicants requiring ISFAP assessment must submit by 2 September 2025.
• Honours Applications: The NRF Honours general scholarships call typically opens in July 2025, with institutions claiming funds for recommended eligible students by March 2026.
• Continuing Students: If you already hold NRF funding and are eligible for a second or third year, you do not submit a new application. Instead, you submit an Annual Progress Report through NRF Connect.
• University Internal Deadlines: Your university’s Research or Postgraduate office sets an internal cut-off date that is earlier than the NRF’s national deadline. Contact your institution directly to confirm this date.

Late applications are not considered under any circumstances. Plan ahead and submit well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues on the NRF Connect platform.

What the NRF Bursary Covers

The financial support you receive depends on whether you are awarded FCS or PCS funding. A Full Cost of Study award for the 2026 academic year typically covers tuition fees at your registered university, accommodation costs (either university residence or a private accommodation allowance), a book and equipment allowance for prescribed study materials, and a living allowance or stipend for monthly expenses. The PCS award covers a partial contribution toward tuition and may include a smaller stipend. The exact rand values differ by study level (Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral) and are published in the NRF’s Postgraduate Scholarship Framework document for each funding year. Students on either FCS or PCS may receive supplementary funding from other sources, including their supervisor’s research grants, private-sector top-ups, or university merit awards, as long as the combined total does not exceed prescribed limits.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection

Meeting the NRF bursary requirements on paper is not enough if your application contains avoidable errors. Here are the most common mistakes:

• Failing to ensure your academic referee submits their report before the deadline. Without a referee response, your application cannot be forwarded to the NRF.
• Missing your university’s internal deadline, even though the NRF’s national deadline has not passed.
• Not having a confirmed supervisor at the time of application for Master’s or Doctoral studies.
• Submitting an incomplete NRF Connect profile or leaving sections of the application form blank.
• Applying for a study level that does not match your current academic standing (for example, applying for Doctoral funding when you have not yet completed your Master’s).
• Exceeding the age limit for your study level without being aware of it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the NRF fund undergraduate students?

No. The NRF bursary is exclusively for postgraduate students at the Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral levels. Undergraduate students need to explore other funding options such as NSFAS, ISFAP, or corporate bursaries.

Can international students apply for the NRF bursary?

Yes, but on a limited basis. Approximately 5% of NRF funding is allocated to international students, primarily from SADC countries. International students are only eligible for Partial Cost of Study (PCS) funding, not Full Cost of Study.

What is the minimum percentage required?

The NRF bursary requirements specify a minimum of 65% in your previous completed degree. This applies at all postgraduate levels — Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral.

Do I need to reapply every year?

If you are a continuing student already receiving NRF funding, you do not submit a new application. Instead, you must submit an Annual Progress Report through NRF Connect. Your funding continuation depends on satisfactory academic progress.

Can I hold an NRF bursary and funding from another source at the same time?

Students on FCS funding cannot hold a concurrent bursary from another government organisation like the CSIR or SAMRC. However, you may receive supplementary or top-up funding from private-sector sources, your supervisor’s research grants, or university merit awards, provided the combined total stays within prescribed NRF limits.

How do I contact the NRF for bursary queries?

For postgraduate funding queries, email postgraduatequeries@risa.nrf.ac.za. You should also contact your university’s Research or Postgraduate office first, as they handle the initial screening and submission of NRF applications. For SARAO-specific scholarship queries, contact amashemola@sarao.ac.za or call 011 268 3420.

Final Thoughts

The NRF bursary is one of South Africa’s most established and respected postgraduate funding programmes. It supports research across every academic discipline and offers both Full Cost of Study and Partial Cost of Study packages to qualifying students. If you are planning to pursue Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral studies at a South African public university, understanding and meeting the NRF bursary requirements should be at the top of your priority list. Start early, confirm your supervisor, secure your referee responses, and submit your application through NRF Connect well before your university’s internal deadline. The research career you are building depends on the groundwork you lay today — and the NRF bursary can provide the financial foundation to make it happen.