Thuthuka 2025
NRF postgraduate scholarships support emerging South African researchers in all disciplines, focusing on equity, transformation, and priority research areas to build national research capacity.
Funder: National Research Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2026 (Full application closing) | April 2026 (DA/institutional submission closing) | May 2026 (Alternate/projected full application closing)
Funding Amounts: Typical award: R182,836/year (Master's, FCS); R188,820/year (Doctoral, FCS); R126,836–R131,320/year (PCS); max 2 years (Master's), 3 years (Doctoral).
Summary: Supports the development of emerging researchers in South Africa through targeted postgraduate funding and institutional support.
Key Information: Forecasted dates—confirm with NRF program page; strict eligibility and documentation rules apply.
Description
This funding opportunity, administered by the National Research Foundation (NRF), aims to develop the research capacity of emerging researchers in South Africa. It provides competitive scholarships for full-time honours, master’s, and doctoral studies across all disciplines, with a strong emphasis on equity, transformation, and support for priority research areas. Institutional support is a core component of the application process, and all applications must be submitted online via the NRF Connect system. The program is designed to foster the next generation of researchers and scholars, fast-track postgraduate development, and advance national socio-economic development goals.
