The Postgraduate Funding Office (PGFO) is responsible for the management of postgraduate funding at the institution. This involves a variety of internal and external funding instruments with specific rules and regulations, departmental bursary administration, developing and implementing institutional policies and ensuring prudent financial administration which complies with prescripts and legislation. At the core of this function is the financial and psycho-social well-being of our postgraduate students. As professional scholarship administrators, we are dedicated in our efforts to support our postgraduate student community. Please take a look at the current funding announcements by clicking on the banner below or on the quick links list. These funding opportunities are divided into several categories and contain several funding instruments, with criteria including academic merit, leadership, financial need, research priority areas, etc.
Book a Teams Meeting (virtual) consultation for postgraduate funding enquiries here.
Centre for undergraduate bursaries and loans
Master's and Doctoral Studies 2026
| Level of Study | Master's and Doctoral |
| Fields of Study | All fields are eligible (excl. Theology and Political Studies) |
| Duration | One academic year (renewable based on academic progress):
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| Scholarship value | Master's R150 000 Doctoral R160 000 |
| Eligibility |
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Required documentation with submission of application
For more details or assistance:
The DSI-NRF Masters and Doctoral applications for 2026
Extended SU and NRF application deadline: 11 July 2025
Please ensure that the scholarship application is submitted a few days prior to the above closing date, to avoid system overload
The National Research Foundation invites all 2026 postgraduate students, full-time students not in salaried employment (contractual or permanent) while studying to apply for funding support NOW. You should apply for this funding opportunity even if you are not sure if you are going to be accepted into Honours, Master's or Doctoral studies for 2026.
All Master's and Doctoral scholarship recipients currently receiving NRF funding and eligible for a second or third year of funding are required to submit a progress report, but they do not need to submit a new application.
Important to Note:
- The NRF minimum academic requirement for postgraduate funding is 65%.
- Successful applicants will be funded either at Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS). The FCS funding will be awarded to South African citizens and Permanent Residents only, who are either financially needy (i.e., those with a combined annual household family income of less than or equal to R350 000), living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers (achieved 75% or higher for the previous degree). The PCS funding will be awarded to 5% of international students including South African citizens and Permanent Residents who could not be funded under FCS, but meet other minimum requirements for the NRF scholarship funding criteria.
- International students do not qualify for Honours scholarship funding.
Please note the following exclusions:
- Structured Masters with a thesis component credit of less than 50%;
- professional master's or professional doctoral degree and
- Individuals that are on sabbatical leave from their current employment
| DSI-NRF Postgraduate Funding documents | How to apply (Application guideline) |
NRF Profile Registration Guide NRF General Application Guide 2025-2026 Masters and Doctoral
Honours |
NRF Research Foundation Scholarships The DSI-NRF Masters and Doctoral applications for 2026 Extended SU and NRF application deadline: 11 July 2025 Please ensure that the scholarship application is submitted
