The mandate of the NRF is to promote and support research through funding and other passages. The NRF has three main functions: to support research and innovation, through its agency, Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA), to encourage an interest in science and technology through its business unit, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and to facilitate high-end research through its National Research Facilities.
The NRF does not fund Part-time Master's and Doctoral studies as of right now. Part-time Honours is funded, but only through the Graduate Internship programme.
The NRF is implementing a new funding model for postgrad funding: Full Cost of Study and Partial Cost of Study.
The NRF’s decision to award either Full Cost (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS) is based on an assessment of financial need, academic achievement, disability and citizenship.
What does Full Cost of Study (FCS) cover?
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation allowance
- Personal care/Living allowance
- Meal/food allowance
- Electronic study devices
Who's eligible?
South African citizens/permanent resident students who are either:
- financially needy
- a postgrad student with a combined net family income of R350,000 per year or less
- living with a disability
- exceptional academic achievers
- The minimum academic entry requirement for funding is 65%. However, a student with exceptional academic achievements would have a minimum average of 75%:
- for major subjects in the final undergraduate year of study for Honours
- at the Honours level or final year of a four year degree for Masters funding
- at the Master's level (or cum laude) for Doctoral funding
- The minimum academic entry requirement for funding is 65%. However, a student with exceptional academic achievements would have a minimum average of 75%:
What does Partial Cost of Study (PCS) cover?
- Tuition fess
- Accommodation allowance
Who's eligible?
- South African citizens and permanent residents bit eligible to be funded under FCS
- Students from SADC countries
- Students from the rest of the world
- The minimum academic entry requirement for funding is 65%
The new funding model only applies to postgrad funding in 2021 and onwards.
For more information on NRF's 2021 postgrad funding, click here.
