Funder: National Research Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: PhD track: R30,000 per year for two years | Post-PhD track: R50,000 per year for two years
Summary: Start-up funding for eligible nGAP scholars to develop competitive research proposals and undertake university-approved research projects.
Key Information: Applicants must be first- or second-year nGAP scholars without a valid NRF rating or current NRF research grant.
Description
The DSTI-NRF Research Development Grants provide dedicated start-up research support for newly appointed New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) scholars at South African public universities. Administered by the National Research Foundation, the grants complement Department of Higher Education and Training support by funding proposal development and university-approved research projects.
The programme aims to accelerate doctoral training, strengthen emerging researchers’ ability to prepare competitive proposals aligned with the Thuthuka PhD and Post-PhD tracks, and support research while scholars seek competitive grants. It also promotes transformation in the emerging researcher community with respect to gender, race and disability. Supported activities include research instrument development, statistical technical support, literature reviews, supervisor or collaborator engagement, research travel, materials, small research equipment and science engagement.
