DSTI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral Scholarships 2026 for post-graduate studies in South Africa.

Application Deadline: 15 August 2025

Applications are now open for the 2026 DSTI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral Scholarships. The scholarship is intended to support candidates at South African public universities, in all areas of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities, including Indigenous Knowledge Systems.

Any applicant who is applying for a scholarship that will be funded by NRF-SARAO, must select the
SARAO Master’s or SARAO Doctoral option. This includes applicants for freestanding SARAO
scholarships, as well as for SARAO-funded Research Chairs and SARAO-funded Research Groups.
Please note: SARAO Masters and Doctoral Scholarships: ONLY students who wish to pursue Master’s
or Doctoral research that is relevant to radio astronomy science or engineering may apply.

Nationality

• Only South African citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for honours scholarships.
• All the other nationalities are eligible to apply for master’s and doctoral scholarships.
• Persons with valid refugee and asylum seeker permits are only eligible under the NRF-SAQA Scholarship programme.
  
  Age
• No age restrictions during the application stage.
  
  Minimum Academic Requirements
• For first-time honours funding – A minimum average of 65% for major subjects in the final undergraduate year of study OR a minimum average of 65% for all subjects of a postgraduate certificate (NQF level 7);
• For first-time master’s funding – A minimum average of 65% for all subjects at the honours level OR a minimum average of 65% for all subjects of a postgraduate diploma OR a minimum average of 65% for all final year subjects of a four-year degree.
• For first-time doctoral funding – A minimum of 65% at the master’s level.

Level of study Maximum period of support

• Master’s Two (2) years
• Doctoral Three (3) years
• Master’s upgrade to doctoral Four (4) years
• Extension Support for master’s and doctoral Six (6) or twelve (12) months

Application Timeline:

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the DSTI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral Scholarships