Funder: National Research Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (Reference letters)
Funding Amounts: R200,000 scholarship; R40,000 annual research travel; R25,000 equipment; maximum duration two years
Summary: Supports master's research on SARAO-approved projects linked to MeerKAT and SKA science or engineering.
Key Information: Applicants must select a SARAO-approved project and secure a signed supervision-agreement letter before applying.
Description
Funded by the National Research Foundation and administered by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), these freestanding scholarships support master's research connected to the science or engineering of the MeerKAT and SKA radio telescopes. Applicants select from SARAO-approved research projects and undertake their degrees at the universities where their supervisors are based.
The programme supports students with relevant honours-level science or four-year engineering qualifications. Alongside the scholarship, it provides research-related travel and equipment funding, with additional provisions for eligible international students and assistive technology support for students living with disabilities. Applicants must explain how their proposed research relates to MeerKAT and/or SKA and how their chosen degree supports their career aspirations.
