NRF Bursary 2026 – Postgraduate Funding in South Africa

Many students in South Africa struggle to continue their studies because of financial challenges. The NRF bursary, started in 1999, helps talented students by providing financial support so they can achieve their academic and career goals.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is an independent organisation that supports postgraduate studies and research. It works with the government and universities to develop skills, fund research, and strengthen higher education. 

Over time, the NRF has expanded its support to cover more study areas, showing South Africa’s commitment to quality education.

In this article, we explain how the NRF works with educational institutions and how its bursary programmes help students in South Africa access financial support for their studies.

What is the NRF Bursary?

The NRF Bursary is awarded to full-time Honours and final-year students at South African public universities. It’s more than just financial help; it’s a way to help people from less-advantaged backgrounds move up in society.

By supporting education and research, the bursary helps create a lively group of researchers and innovators who make progress in science, technology, and the humanities.

Applicants for the NRF Bursary are chosen based on how well they’ve done in their studies, their plans for a research career, and whether their interests match the areas the NRF wants to focus on. 

This support not only helps them finish their degrees but also encourages them to contribute meaningfully to their fields of study. Overall, the NRF Bursary programme makes a significant difference by nurturing talent, promoting excellence, and advancing South Africa’s research goals, both domestically and internationally.

Fields Covered by NRF Bursary

The DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding programme provides essential financial support to students pursuing advanced degrees. This funding aims to promote research and academic success across various fields, helping students to achieve their goals. As a result, this bursary programme is available for Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral studies within the following fields:

• Engineering
• Technology
• Science
• Social Sciences
• Humanities

NRF Bursary Application Process

Candidates can follow the steps listed below to apply for the NRF Bursary 2026 through the NRF Connect online system. The application process begins with creating a personal profile, which allows the National Research Foundation to securely manage applicant information and communicate important updates. 

After submitting your registration details, it is essential to check your email and text messages regularly, as all confirmations, verification links, and further instructions will be sent via these channels. Promptly responding to NRF communications helps ensure your application progresses without delay.

• Step 1: Visit the NRF Connect Website. 
• Step 2: Open the NRF Connect system and find the registration page.
• Step 3: Enter your full name, contact details, and email address.
• Step 4: Choose a unique username and a strong password.
• Step 5: Check your email for a verification link from NRF Connect. Click the link to confirm your email address.
• Step 6: Follow the remaining steps to finish your registration on NRF Connect.
• Step 7: Use your username and password to log in to NRF Connect.
• Step 8: Look for the honours bursary application form in the system.
• Step 9: Provide all the needed information, like your academic history, the institution you want to attend, and your personal statement.
• Step 10: Attach necessary documents such as your academic transcripts and proof of registration.
• Step 11: Double-check all the information and documents to ensure they are correct.
• Step 12: Once you are sure your application is complete, submit it through the NRF Connect system.

Documentations Required For NRF Bursary

When submitting your NRF Bursary 2026 application, it is important to upload clear, legible copies of all required documents. These documents are used to verify your identity, academic background, and eligibility for funding. Blurred, incomplete, or incorrectly scanned documents may delay the review process.

Failure to submit any required document or uploading documents that are not clearly legible can result in the immediate rejection of your application. To avoid this, ensure all files are correctly named, in the required format, and clearly visible before final submission.

• Verified copy of Identity Proof
• Certificates from all previous academic records from tertiary education up to the current date (on official letterhead from the institution).
• Confirmation of enrolment at the university for the year of application. 
• Parents or guardians must provide proof of household income, whether through their latest payslips if they have a job, an affidavit if they are not employed, or a SASSA grant letter if relevant.

NRF Bursary Eligibility Requirements 

Before beginning the NRF Bursary application process, make sure that you are eligible for the allowance and meet the requirements completely. Failure to meet the criteria may lead to disqualification or rejection of the application. Listed below are the NRF Bursary requirements that aspirants must adhere to:

NRF Bursary Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the following requirements before their application can be submitted. These conditions ensure that applicants are eligible for NRF funding and meet the minimum academic and institutional standards. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be considered for review:

• Must be registered or planning to enrol in a postgraduate programme (Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral) in Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, or Humanities
• Age limits: up to 29 for Honours, up to 30 for Master’s, and up to 32 for Doctoral studies
• Must have obtained at least 65% in the previous academic qualification
• Must demonstrate financial need (household income below R350,000 per year), have a disability, or show strong academic performance
• Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident to qualify for FCS funding
• For PCS funding, South African citizens, permanent residents, and eligible international students may apply

NRF Bursary 2026: Allowance Provided

The NRF Bursary 2026 is designed to support students pursuing postgraduate studies who are constrained by financial constraints. Through the DSI–NRF Postgraduate Student Funding programme, eligible students can access structured financial support for advanced academic qualifications. The bursary aims to strengthen South Africa’s research capacity and develop skilled professionals across key disciplines.

Key highlights of the NRF Bursary 2026 include:

• Supports postgraduate studies at Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral levels
• Covers fields such as Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities
• Offered through the DSI–NRF Postgraduate Student Funding programme for the 2026 academic year
• Applicants must meet eligibility criteria and follow the official application process

Funding types available

• Full Cost of Study (FCS):
  • For students from households earning less than R350,000 per year
  • Also supports students with disabilities or strong academic performance
• Partial Cost of Study (PCS):
  • May be awarded when full funding is not possible due to budget limitations
  • Available to South African citizens, permanent residents, and eligible international students

Expenses covered by the NRF Bursary

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation costs
• Living and food allowances
• Study-related travel expenses
• Academic materials and resources

This comprehensive funding enables students to focus fully on their studies, reduce financial pressure, and advance in their chosen academic and research fields.

You can check out more post-graduate bursaries here.

NRF Bursary 2025: Closing Date

The NRF bursary closing date has not yet been officially released. It is good to track deadlines when applying for the NRF Bursary in 2026. Knowing the closing date will help you submit your application on time and increase your chances of getting funding. 

It is important to remember that closing dates may vary depending on the institution you are applying to. Therefore, it is advisable to verify the specific deadlines with your university or college. Applications submitted after the stated closing dates will not be accepted, so submit your application well before these dates to ensure it is considered for funding.

NRF Bursary: Contact Details

The NRF Bursary provides critical support to South African students at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. Below are the contact details you may need to apply for NRF funding easily. 

• Telephone: 012 481 4000 
• Postal: PO Box 2600, Pretoria, 0001 
• Address: NRF Building, South Gate CSIR Complex, Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria, Pretoria

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Conclusion

NRF Bursary 2026 supports students facing financial challenges by funding postgraduate studies in different fields. The fields include Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Through the DSI–NRF Postgraduate Student Funding programme, including PCS and FCS options, the NRF helps students focus on their studies. This support enables them to contribute to South Africa’s future skills development.

For more information on bursaries, how to apply, and different education opportunities, visit Regenesys Education‘s Reginsights page now!

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