Awarding Criteria

How many students received funding for postgraduate studies annually from the NRF?

Approximately 11 045 students were awarded funding in 2020 and approximately 7 414 in the year 2021, this is dependent on the availability of the budget.

Will combining the SADC students with students from the rest of the world in the funding allocations targets, not undermine the SADC protocol on education and training which states that “member states shall reserve at least 5% of admissions for students from SADC nations other than their own” and also states that, “member states are required to treat students from SADC countries as home students for purposes of tuition and accommodation”.?

No, while this proposal states that postgraduate funding should be allocated to 95% South Africans (including permanent residents) and 5% students from the rest of the world including students from SADC countries. The 5% allocation is expected to advance South Africa’s global partnerships, which would include commitments to SADC.