The mandate of the National Research Fund (NRF) is to promote and support research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge, and thereby contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all South Africans.
Postgraduate students who are searching for funding will find that NSFAS does not fund postgrad qualifications. They would then be advised to apply at the National Research Fund for funding.
NRF does not fund the following qualifications:
- Undergraduate qualifications
- Postgraduate certificates
- Postgraduate diplomas
- Professions Master's degrees
- Professional Doctoral degrees
- A 100% Master's by coursework
- BTech
Part-time Master's and Doctoral studies are not funded. Part-time Honours is funded, but only through the Graduate Internship programme.
For more information on the scholarships, fellowships and internships the NRF offers, click here.
