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National Research Foundation Research Funding & Postgraduate Scholarships

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is an independent government agency established through the NRF Act (Act No. 23 of 1998) to promote and support research in South Africa. Operating under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the NRF is the country's primary vehicle for funding research across all disciplines, from natural sciences and engineering to social sciences and humanities.

The NRF funds researchers at public universities and science councils, provides postgraduate scholarships for Honours, Masters, and Doctoral students, supports research infrastructure (including national research facilities like SARAO), and manages international research partnerships. All applications are submitted electronically through the NRF Connect System.

Researcher Grants
6+ Instruments
Thuthuka, SARChI, CPRR, and more
PG Scholarships
Honours to PhD
Full and Partial Cost of Study
All Disciplines
SET + SSH
Science, engineering, humanities
Partnerships
Global Reach
DAAD, NWO, AXA, IIASA, and more

Two Core Funding Pillars

Researcher Grants

Research grants support academics and researchers at public universities and science councils. Funding covers operational costs, equipment, student support, travel, and research activities. Different instruments target different career stages: emerging researchers (Thuthuka, BAAP), rated researchers (CPRR, SARChI), unrated researchers (CSUR), and Y-rated researchers (development grants).

Most researcher grants operate on 3-year cycles and require institutional co-funding. Applications are submitted via NRF Connect and routed through the applicant's institutional Designated Authority (DA).

Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarships fund Honours, Masters, and Doctoral students at South African universities. Awarded as Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS). FCS covers tuition, accommodation, books, and living allowance for financially needy students (household income under R350,000/year), students with disabilities, or exceptional achievers.

Students can be funded as freestanding scholars or grantholder-linked (recruited by an NRF-funded supervisor). All fields of science, engineering, technology, social sciences, and humanities are covered.

Key Researcher Funding Instruments

The NRF offers multiple funding instruments for researchers at different career stages. Each has specific eligibility criteria.

Emerging Researchers
Thuthuka
Supports early-career researchers from designated groups (with participation from non-designated groups). Three tracks: PhD, Post-PhD, and Rating Track. 3-year grants requiring 50% institutional co-funding. Cannot be held with an established researcher grant.
Black Academics
BAAP
Black Academics Advancement Programme targets black South African academics to accelerate their research careers and move towards NRF rating. Grantholder-linked scholarships available for students supervised by BAAP recipients.
Research Chairs
SARChI
South African Research Chairs Initiative creates research chairs at universities to attract and retain research excellence. 5-year funding cycles with comprehensive support for research programmes, postgraduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.
Rated Researchers
CPRR
Competitive Programme for Rated Researchers supports basic research across humanities, social, and natural sciences. Eligibility based on current NRF rating and scientific merit of the research proposal.
Unrated Researchers
CSUR
Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers provides research support to researchers in any field who do not hold a current NRF rating and are not in any NRF capacity development programme.
Young Researchers
Y-Rated Support
Research development grants for Y-rated researchers (recognised as having the potential to become future leaders in their field). Supports the transition from emerging to established researcher status.

Postgraduate Scholarship Overview

Level Min. Academic Req. Max Age Funding Type Citizenship
Honours 65% average in major subjects (final UG year) 28 years FCS or PCS SA citizens / permanent residents (FCS)
Masters 65% in previous degree 30 years FCS or PCS SA citizens / PRs (FCS); 5% international (PCS)
Doctoral 65% in previous degree 32 years FCS or PCS SA citizens / PRs (FCS); 5% international (PCS)
Postdoctoral Completed PhD Varies Fellowship SA and international (freestanding, innovation, scarce skills)

Full Cost of Study vs Partial Cost of Study

FCS covers tuition, accommodation, books, and living allowance. Awarded to SA citizens and permanent residents who are financially needy (household income under R350,000/year), living with a disability, or exceptional academic achievers. PCS is awarded to students who meet minimum requirements but do not qualify for FCS. Up to 5% of PCS scholarships at Masters and Doctoral level may be awarded to international students from partner African countries. Students achieving 75% or above who are initially offered PCS should contact their DA rather than accepting the award.

How to Apply

01

Register on NRF Connect

Create your profile at nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za. All applications are submitted electronically. No manual applications are accepted. Both researchers and students use this system.

02

Consult Your Research Office

Always consult your institution first. Your university's Research or Postgraduate Office (Designated Authority) provides guidance, sets internal deadlines (often earlier than NRF deadlines), reviews applications, and submits them to the NRF on your behalf.

03

Complete Your Application

Select the appropriate funding instrument or scholarship type. Provide your research proposal, academic record, supervisor details (for students), referee nominations, and all required supporting documents. For doctoral applicants, a referee response is mandatory before the DA can submit.

04

Institutional Review & Submission

Your DA reviews and scores your application. Only applications recommended for funding are submitted to the NRF. Applications not recommended are rejected on NRF Connect, and the institution provides feedback.

05

NRF Evaluation & Award

The NRF evaluates all submitted applications. Successful applicants receive provisional award letters via NRF Connect. You must accept the award and meet all conditions of the grant before funds are released. Awards can be FCS or PCS based on financial assessment.

Institutional Co-Funding Requirement

For researcher grants like Thuthuka, your institution must commit in writing to provide 50% co-funding of the total awarded operational amount, as well as time release from teaching duties for research. If you are on a fixed-term contract, your appointment must extend to cover the full 3-year funding cycle. This institutional support is a prerequisite for NRF consideration.

Deadlines Are Non-Negotiable

NRF deadlines are strict. Your institution may set earlier internal closing dates to allow time for review before submitting to the NRF. Missing either deadline means your application will not be considered. For postgraduate scholarships, referee responses must be completed by the closing date. If a referee does not respond, the system will not allow the DA to submit your application.

Grantholder-Linked Scholarships

If you have been recruited by an NRF-funded supervisor to be part of a research project, apply via the grantholder-linked scholarship category. Provide your supervisor's NRF Grant UID Number or Application Reference Number. This applies to students linked to Thuthuka, BAAP, SARChI, CPRR, and other NRF-funded research categories. Grantholder-linked students may also receive supplementary support from the supervisor's running expenses.

Common Questions

Full Cost of Study is for SA citizens and permanent residents only. However, up to 5% of Partial Cost of Study scholarships at Masters and Doctoral level may be awarded to international students, particularly from partner African countries (including Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia). International postdoctoral fellowships are also available. Check each call's framework document for specific eligibility.
An NRF rating is a peer-reviewed evaluation of a researcher's standing based on the quality and impact of their research output. Ratings range from A (internationally leading) through B, C, P, to Y (promising young researcher). You do not need a rating to apply for NRF funding. Unrated researchers can apply through CSUR, Thuthuka, or BAAP. However, a current rating is required for the CPRR and certain other instruments.
No. Thuthuka may not be held concurrently with any NRF Established Researcher grant. If you submit applications for both and both are successful, the Thuthuka grant will not be awarded. Additionally, individuals who have already received two cycles (6 years) of research grant funding from any other NRF competitive instrument are no longer eligible for Thuthuka.
The NRF funds research and postgraduate studies across all areas of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Specific instruments may have focus areas (for example, SARAO scholarships focus on radio astronomy, and some partnership funds target specific themes like AI, health, or human settlements), but the general postgraduate scholarship programme is open to all disciplines.
No. Continuing students who are eligible for a second or third year of funding must submit a Progress Report, not a new application. Extensions beyond the standard funding period are only granted under exceptional circumstances and are limited to 6 or 12 months. The NRF expects all postgraduate students to complete their studies within the funded timeframe.
All Framework and Funding Guides, Application Guides, and the General Application Guide are published on the NRF Call for Proposals page. Specific deadlines for each instrument are listed in Appendix 1 of the General Application Guide. Your institutional Research or Postgraduate Office can also provide guidance and may have earlier internal deadlines.

Important Links & Resources

Official NRF portals, call documents, and application system.

NRF Connect System

Register and apply for all NRF funding

NRF Official Website

nrf.ac.za - News, funding, research

2025/2026 Call for Proposals

All framework documents and guides

NRF Funding Hub

All funding announcements and results

2026 Postgraduate Funding Call

Masters and Doctoral scholarships

SARAO Student Funding

Radio astronomy scholarships

grantZA is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with the NRF, DSTI, or any university. For official enquiries, contact the NRF Support Desk at [email protected] or visit nrf.ac.za.