African Origins Platform (AOP) 2025
NRF Postgraduate Scholarships fund full-time honours, master's, and doctoral research in all fields at South African universities, focusing on transformation, equity, and national research priorities.
Funder: National Research Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2026: Full application / Applicant closing date (projected) | May 2026: Designated Authority (DA) submission to NRF closing date (projected)
Funding Amounts: Honours: R163,892 (FCS) / R124,892 (PCS) per year; Master's: R182,836 (FCS) / R126,836 (PCS) per year (max 2 years); Doctoral: R188,820 (FCS) / R131,320 (PCS) per year (max 3 years); plus allowances.
Summary: Supports full-time honours, master's, and doctoral students at South African public universities in all research areas, with a focus on transformation, equity, and national priorities.
Key Information: Only full-time students are eligible; strict age and academic requirements apply; application via NRF Connect.
Description
This opportunity provides funding for postgraduate students (honours, master's, and doctoral) to pursue full-time studies at South African public universities in all research areas, including Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. The program is designed to advance transformation, equity, and redress in the national research system, with funding allocated based on merit, financial need, disability status, and alignment with national priority research areas. Funding is available at two levels: Full Cost of Study (FCS) and Partial Cost of Study (PCS), with specific eligibility criteria for each. The program aims to attract and retain high-performing students, support vulnerable and priority disciplines, and build the next generation of South African researchers.
