Funding Opportunities

Applications are open for the 2027 Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Scholarship.

The scholarship supports eligible South African students pursuing full-time studies at public tertiary institutions. Funding may cover tuition fees, textbooks, accredited accommodation, meals and, where applicable, transport.

Eligible study levels include Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree/Honours and Master’s programmes. PhD studies are excluded.

Applicants must meet the scholarship’s eligibility requirements, including criteria relating to academic performance, household income, age, designated groups and fields of study. For Master’s applicants, the proposed research topic will also form part of the selection criteria.

Closing date: 22 September 2026 at 12:00 midday

Students are encouraged to apply early and ensure that all required supporting documentation is complete.

Applications are open for master’s and doctoral scholarships through the South African Medical Research Council’s Postgraduate Research Associate Programme.

The programme supports postgraduate research undertaken with an eligible SAMRC researcher and hosted by an appropriate SAMRC research unit, centre or platform.

Funding

• Master’s scholarship: R200,000 per year for one year. A second year may be considered based on satisfactory progress and a supporting motivation.
• Doctoral scholarship: R250,000 per year for up to three years. A fourth year may be considered in exceptional circumstances, subject to satisfactory progress and a compelling motivation.

SAMRC supervision and hosting requirement

Applicants must identify an eligible SAMRC researcher who will serve as their supervisor or co-supervisor. They must also be hosted by an appropriate SAMRC research unit, centre or platform.

Prospective applicants should secure this SAMRC research and supervisory link before beginning an application.

Application requirements

Applicants must consult the full Request for Applications and submit all prescribed supporting documents. These include:

• a research abstract;
• the required supervisory documentation;
• a support letter signed by the relevant SAMRC Unit Director; and
• the prescribed CV template completed by the SAMRC supervisor.

Closing dates

• Applicant deadline: 22 September 2026 at 23:59
• SAMRC supervisor deadline: 29 September 2026 at 23:59

Applications must be completed through the SAMRC Research Information Management System. The SAMRC supervisor must complete and submit the relevant supervisory documentation by the supervisor deadline.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants should read the full Request for Applications and use the supplied research abstract example and supervisor CV template when preparing their submissions.

For enquiries, contact Dr Lindokuhle Ndlandla at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 021 938 0442.

Applications are open for the South African Medical Research Council’s National Health Research Enterprise Doctoral Programme.

The programme supports full-time doctoral research addressing priority health challenges in South Africa.

Funding

The scholarship is valued at R250,000 per year.

Funding is normally available within the first three years of doctoral study, regardless of whether the candidate’s earlier years were funded by the SAMRC. A fourth year may be considered on the basis of satisfactory progress and a compelling motivation from the supervisor and hosting unit director.

Research areas

Applications are invited in the following areas:

• HIV, TB and other infectious diseases
• Maternal, child and adolescent health
• Pandemic preparedness
• Non-communicable diseases
• Health systems and policy research
• Climate and health

Projects incorporating digital health, artificial intelligence, genomics or other cross-cutting technologies are encouraged.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• be South African citizens or permanent residents;
• hold a master’s degree;
• undertake doctoral research in the health sciences;
• have a project endorsed by the prospective supervisor and institution; and
• be registered as full-time doctoral students at a South African university when the scholarship commences.

The prospective supervisor must have the experience, research support and facilities required for the project.

Application process

Applicants must complete the online application and upload all required supporting documents by 22 September 2026 at 23:59.

Required documents include:

• a one-page motivation letter;
• an abridged curriculum vitae;
• a doctoral project abstract of no more than two pages;
• proof of institutional approval of the project;
• a research support letter signed by the supervisory team;
• proof of admission or registration;
• proof of ethics clearance or submission for ethics review, where applicable; and
• a recently certified copy of the applicant’s South African identity document.

The supervisor must then complete the required track record and commitment form and submit the application to the SAMRC by 29 September 2026 at 23:59.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Apply online

Submit an application through the SAMRC online application portal.

Applicants should read the full Request for Applications and supporting guidance before applying.

For enquiries, contact Dr Lindokuhle Ndlandla at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 021 938 0442.

Applications are open for DSTI-NRF funding for students intending to register for a full-time Honours degree at CPUT in 2027.

The scholarships support eligible studies in Science, Engineering, Technology, the Social Sciences and Humanities.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• be South African citizens or permanent residents;
• have achieved an average of at least 65% for their major subjects in the final undergraduate year; and
• intend to register for a full-time Honours degree in 2027.

Funding is not available for Postgraduate Diplomas, the PGCE or qualifications without a research component.

Scholarship value

Successful applicants may receive:

• Full Cost of Study funding of R180,000 per year; or
• Partial Cost of Study funding of R140,000 per year.

Full Cost of Study funding is considered for applicants with a combined household income of R350,000 or less, applicants living with a disability, and exceptional academic achievers with an average of at least 75%.

Funding is competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an award.

Closing dates

• 14 August 2026: Applications requiring an ISFAP financial means assessment
• 23 November 2026: All other applications

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online through NRF Connect. Manual applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must select the Cape Peninsula University of Technology as their proposed institution. Only one application may be submitted, and the selected institution cannot be changed after submission.

p>Applicants should consult the application guide and supporting documents before applying. More information is available on the NRF postgraduate funding webpage.

For CPUT bursary-related enquiries, contact Ms Phaphama Mhlekwa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CPUT postgraduate students and prospective applicants are invited to apply for the DSI–NRF Postgraduate Funding for the 2027 academic year. This funding supports Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies and represents a key opportunity to advance postgraduate study and research.

Who should apply

• New Honours, Master’s and Doctoral applicants planning to register in 2027
• Continuing Master’s and Doctoral students currently funded through NRF

Continuing students must submit a progress report via NRF Connect and should not submit a new application.

Minimum academic requirement

• A minimum average of 65% for the previous degree

Key application periods

Funding categories

• Full Cost of Study (FCS): South African citizens and permanent residents
• Partial Cost of Study (PCS): Limited awards, including some international applicants

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via NRF Connect:

Application resources

Please download the following documents for detailed guidance:

• DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Application and Funding Framework for the 2027 Academic Year
• Application and Funding Guide for DSTI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral Scholarships 2027
• Application and Funding Guide for Extension Support for Master’s and Doctoral Scholarships 2027

Important note

Applications must be submitted by the CPUT internal deadlines indicated above to allow for institutional screening and academic review prior to submission to the NRF. Late submissions cannot be accommodated.

Enquiries

Mr Cyrano Arries
Financial Coordinator: Centre for Postgraduate Studies
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For a list of under- and postgraduate bursary opportunities, please click here.

For all bursary-related queries, contact Ms Phaphama Mhlekwa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For a list of under- and postgraduate bursary opportunities, please click here.

For all bursary-related queries, contact Ms Phaphama Mhlekwa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..