Applications are open for the 2027 DSTI-NRF Honours Student Funding programme. Eligible South African citizens and permanent residents can apply for full or partial postgraduate honours funding before the November 23, 2026 deadline.
Background & Scholarship Description
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) have announced applications for the 2027 DSTI-NRF Honours Student Funding programme.
The funding supports eligible South African students pursuing honours studies in Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities. Successful applicants may receive Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS) funding, depending on their eligibility and the programme’s funding criteria.
The NRF requires applicants to have achieved an average of at least 65% in their major subjects during the final year of undergraduate study.
Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding programme | DSTI-NRF Honours Student Funding 2027 |
| Funding organisations | Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and National Research Foundation |
| Study level | Honours |
| Eligible applicants | South African citizens and permanent residents |
| Minimum academic requirement | 65% average in final-year undergraduate major subjects |
| Funding categories | Full Cost of Study (FCS) and Partial Cost of Study (PCS) |
| Eligible study fields | Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities |
| Applicant closing date | 23 November 2026 |
| Designated Authority (DA) closing date | 29 January 2027 |
| Application method | Online through NRF Connect |
| Manual applications | Not accepted |
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants may be awarded funding under one of two categories.
Full Cost of Study (FCS)
Full Cost of Study funding is intended for students who meet the relevant criteria and fall into one or more of the following groups:
- Financially needy students whose combined household family income is R350,000 or less per year.
- Exceptional academic achievers with an average of 75% or above.
- Students living with a disability.
Applicants must still satisfy the applicable NRF funding requirements.
Partial Cost of Study (PCS)
Partial Cost of Study funding is intended for applicants who cannot be funded under the FCS category but meet the other minimum requirements for NRF scholarship funding.
The supplied announcement does not specify the monetary value of either funding category.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents and meet the minimum academic requirement of a 65% average in their final-year undergraduate major subjects.
The funding is intended to support students progressing to honours studies in Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences or Humanities.
Academic Performance and Financial Eligibility
Students seeking Full Cost of Study funding should assess whether they meet the relevant financial need, academic achievement or disability criteria.
Students who meet the minimum eligibility requirements but do not qualify for FCS may be considered for Partial Cost of Study funding.
Applicants should consult the official application and funding guide and postgraduate funding framework for the complete eligibility conditions.
Additional Information
Application Deadline
The announcement provides two separate closing dates:
| Application stage | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Applicant submission | 23 November 2026 |
| Designated Authority submission | 29 January 2027 |
Students should submit their applications by the applicant deadline and consult their university’s research or postgraduate office regarding institutional processing requirements.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the NRF Connect system.
Application portal: https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za/
Manual applications will not be accepted.
Before starting the application, applicants are required to read the relevant Application and Funding Guide and Funding Framework documents. The NRF provides its postgraduate funding documents through the following page:
https://www.nrf.ac.za/dsti-nrf-postgraduate-student-funding-for-the-2027-academic-year
Applicants are encouraged to contact their university’s Research or Postgraduate Office for assistance.
Enquiries
For technical application issues, contact the NRF Supportdesk:
- Telephone: 012 481 4202
- Email: supportdesk@nrf.ac.za
For questions about specific postgraduate funding opportunities, contact postgraduatequeries@risa.nrf.ac.za.
Emails should include the funding level, funding opportunity and application reference number so enquiries can be directed appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can apply for DSTI-NRF Honours Funding 2027?
South African citizens and permanent residents who meet the academic and other applicable NRF funding requirements may apply.
2. What is the minimum academic requirement?
Applicants must have an average of at least 65% in their major subjects during the final year of undergraduate study.
3. How much funding is available?
The programme offers Full Cost of Study and Partial Cost of Study funding. The announcement does not specify the monetary value of these awards.
4. Who qualifies for Full Cost of Study funding?
The announcement identifies financially needy students from households earning R350,000 or less annually, exceptional academic achievers with an average of at least 75%, and students living with a disability as groups eligible for consideration under FCS criteria.
5. What is Partial Cost of Study funding?
PCS funding is intended for students who cannot be funded under FCS but meet the other minimum NRF scholarship requirements.
6. Which fields of study are covered?
The programme supports honours studies in Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities.
7. When is the application deadline?
The applicant closing date is 23 November 2026. The separate deadline for Designated Authorities is 29 January 2027.
8. Where should applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted electronically through the NRF Connect portal at https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za/. Manual submissions are not accepted.
9. Where can applicants find the application guide?
The application and funding documents are available through the NRF’s official postgraduate funding webpage.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The DSTI-NRF Honours Student Funding programme may help eligible South African students finance their transition from undergraduate studies to honours-level education. Its two funding categories provide routes for students who meet different academic and financial eligibility criteria.
Applicants should review the official funding framework carefully, confirm their eligibility and complete their online applications before the November 23, 2026 applicant deadline.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares scholarship and educational opportunities for informational purposes. We are not affiliated with the DSTI or NRF and do not administer this funding programme. Applicants should consult the official NRF website and applicable funding documents for authoritative requirements.
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