Independent Applications

DSI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invites applications for a bursary under the DSI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme (IBS). The IBS postgraduate bursary is intended for fulltime studies at any South African public university under specific themes. Please click for further information.

DALRRD Bursary Awards

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development awards bursaries to qualifying applicants pursuing/furthering their studies in this sector. The award targets the previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and rural communities.

Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation offers young leaders from across the African continent a chance to become part of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of transformative impact. We offer a life-changing opportunity for personal growth via a prestigious postgraduate scholarship and Leadership Development Programme, for those who want to use their talents to serve Africa. Available for study in all disciplines.

CSIR/DSI Interbursary Programme

Funds students approved for or registered for full time studies for Honours/ 4th year Engineering/Postgraduate Diploma, Masters or PhD degrees at any SA public university. Focus areas for 2024 funding are: Bio-catalysis, Biopharming, Bioprocessing, Health, ICT, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Microsystems Technology, Mining, Modelling and Digital Sciences, Titanium (Manufacturing Elements), Photonics

Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA)

The GSSA's Research, Education & Investment Fund makes limited funds available to members or postgraduate student members of the GSSA, to be utilised for research projects, defraying of analytical or publication costs, attendance of congresses or conferences, travel grants or any other purpose related to the earth sciences. Information and applications directly to GSSA.

South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)

SANRAL aims to support deserving and qualifying students in the fields of transportation infrastructure, specifically civil engineering and its related professions in the built environment, smart technologies, public sector infrastructure development & administration and other professions related to the core business of SANRAL.

The Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation-SAMRC Capacity Development P

For disciplines related to vaccine research & development. Includes, for eg, but not limited to, chemical and process engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, virology, structural biology, bioinformatics, immunology, synthetic/analytical chemistry, & industrial pharmacy. Includes a stipend and some funds to cover research costs.

Canon Collins Sol Plaatje Scholarships

Canon Collins Trust - building a community of leaders, thinkers, activists, and social justice organisations. Awards in 2025 for those studying in these areas: Justice / Education policy and practice / Humanities / Journalism & Communications

Centre of Excellence in Human Development

Just before or around the start of each academic year, the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development considers grant proposals and post-graduate or post-doctoral funding applications that fall under the thematic areas of the Centre.

The Thapelo Madibeng Bursary Scheme

The TMBS funding will be awarded to candidates pursuing construction related qualifications at under-graduate as well as post graduate levels, inclusive of Masters and above qualifications as per the CETA TMBS Bursary Policy.

Doug Banks Renewable Energy Vision Scholarship

The Doug Banks Renewable Energy Vision is a South African initiative aimed at building intellectual capital in the field of Renewable Energy by offering a Scholarship for a Masters degree in renewable & sustainable energy studies.

DSI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invites applications for a bursary under the DSI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme (IBS). The IBS postgraduate bursary is intended for fulltime studies at any South African public university under specific themes. Please click for further information.

DALRRD Bursary Awards

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development awards bursaries to qualifying applicants pursuing/furthering their studies in this sector. The award targets the previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and rural communities.

CSIR/DSI Interbursary Programme

Funds students approved for or registered for full time studies for Honours/ 4th year Engineering/Postgraduate Diploma, Masters or PhD degrees at any SA public university. Focus areas for 2024 funding are: Bio-catalysis, Biopharming, Bioprocessing, Health, ICT, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Microsystems Technology, Mining, Modelling and Digital Sciences, Titanium (Manufacturing Elements), Photonics

Laura Bassi Scholarship

The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline.

W&RSETA Funding

The Wholesale & Retail SETA invites funding applications for Masters/PhD qualifications from or for students in need of financial assistance under the Discretionary Grant 2022/23 Bursary Funding Window.

Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation offers young leaders from across the African continent a chance to become part of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of transformative impact. We offer a life-changing opportunity for personal growth via a prestigious postgraduate scholarship and Leadership Development Programme, for those who want to use their talents to serve Africa. Available for study in all disciplines.

NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship

Together with the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa, the DAAD awards funding for Master and PhD degrees at South African Universities to South Africans citizens or permanent South African residents as part of its In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme.

Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA)

The GSSA's Research, Education & Investment Fund makes limited funds available to members or postgraduate student members of the GSSA, to be utilised for research projects, defraying of analytical or publication costs, attendance of congresses or conferences, travel grants or any other purpose related to the earth sciences. Information and applications directly to GSSA.

South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)

SANRAL aims to support deserving and qualifying students in the fields of transportation infrastructure, specifically civil engineering and its related professions in the built environment, smart technologies, public sector infrastructure development & administration and other professions related to the core business of SANRAL.

SA Association of Women Graduates (SAAWG)

There are several awards available for research in various fields.

Public Service Bursary Scheme (Dept. of Correctional Services)

For full-time MA Psycology students

Ernst & Ethel Ericksen Trust

The Ernst & Ethel Ericksen Trust was established by Ethel Eriksen in the early 1980's. The trust provides study grants to students doing post graduate study and has enabled scholars from all walks of life to fulfill their dreams, and in so doing benefit South Africa.

Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa

DENOSA offers small bursaries for paid-up members for postgraduate research.

The Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation-SAMRC Capacity Development P

For disciplines related to vaccine research & development. Includes, for eg, but not limited to, chemical and process engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, virology, structural biology, bioinformatics, immunology, synthetic/analytical chemistry, & industrial pharmacy. Includes a stipend and some funds to cover research costs.

Canon Collins Sol Plaatje Scholarships

Canon Collins Trust - building a community of leaders, thinkers, activists, and social justice organisations. Awards in 2025 for those studying in these areas: Justice / Education policy and practice / Humanities / Journalism & Communications

PAGES African Mobility Fellowship

The program aims to give limited support for travel & subsistence to PhD students and postdocs at African institutions from African countries, who are interested in gaining experience in another African country. The final goal is to contribute to the development of collaborative research and the promotion of paleoscience network within Africa.

Centre of Excellence in Human Development

Just before or around the start of each academic year, the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development considers grant proposals and post-graduate or post-doctoral funding applications that fall under the thematic areas of the Centre.

The Thapelo Madibeng Bursary Scheme

The TMBS funding will be awarded to candidates pursuing construction related qualifications at under-graduate as well as post graduate levels, inclusive of Masters and above qualifications as per the CETA TMBS Bursary Policy.

DSI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invites applications for a bursary under the DSI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme (IBS). The IBS postgraduate bursary is intended for fulltime studies at any South African public university under specific themes. Please click for further information.

DALRRD Bursary Awards

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development awards bursaries to qualifying applicants pursuing/furthering their studies in this sector. The award targets the previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and rural communities.

SAMRC Clinician Researcher Programme

The programme aims to increase the number of clinician-scientists in SA with a PhD with the capability to conduct high-impact research and occupy leadership positions in the academic, clinical, and research sectors. The full time PhD scholarship will only be awarded to candidates with a degree in medicine (MBChB) or dentistry (BDS).

CSIR/DSI Interbursary Programme

Funds students approved for or registered for full time studies for Honours/ 4th year Engineering/Postgraduate Diploma, Masters or PhD degrees at any SA public university. Focus areas for 2024 funding are: Bio-catalysis, Biopharming, Bioprocessing, Health, ICT, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Microsystems Technology, Mining, Modelling and Digital Sciences, Titanium (Manufacturing Elements), Photonics

Laura Bassi Scholarship

The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline.

Mawazo Fellowship Programme

Supports African women PhD students from across the continent working on emerging development issues and provides them with (1) virtual, on-demand training, (2) mentorship, and (3) access to funding that supports research activities, conference travel, research translation, and cross-sector collaborations.

Harry Frank Guggenheim Emerging Scholar Awards

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Emerging Scholar Awards recognise promising graduate-student researchers in their final year of writing a doctoral dissertation examining a salient aspect of violence. The award is $25,000 for one year. The award does not support doctoral research. Applicants may be citizens of any country and studying at colleges or universities in any country.

W&RSETA Funding

The Wholesale & Retail SETA invites funding applications for Masters/PhD qualifications from or for students in need of financial assistance under the Discretionary Grant 2022/23 Bursary Funding Window.

NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship

Together with the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa, the DAAD awards funding for Master and PhD degrees at South African Universities to South Africans citizens or permanent South African residents as part of its In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme.

Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA)

The GSSA's Research, Education & Investment Fund makes limited funds available to members or postgraduate student members of the GSSA, to be utilised for research projects, defraying of analytical or publication costs, attendance of congresses or conferences, travel grants or any other purpose related to the earth sciences. Information and applications directly to GSSA.

SA Association of Women Graduates (SAAWG)

There are several awards available for research in various fields.

Ernst & Ethel Ericksen Trust

The Ernst & Ethel Ericksen Trust was established by Ethel Eriksen in the early 1980's. The trust provides study grants to students doing post graduate study and has enabled scholars from all walks of life to fulfill their dreams, and in so doing benefit South Africa.

Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa

DENOSA offers small bursaries for paid-up members for postgraduate research.

PAGES African Mobility Fellowship

The program aims to give limited support for travel & subsistence to PhD students and postdocs at African institutions from African countries, who are interested in gaining experience in another African country. The final goal is to contribute to the development of collaborative research and the promotion of paleoscience network within Africa.

Centre of Excellence in Human Development - Fellowships

The DSI-NRF Centre for Excellence in Human Development seeks to appoint several full-time postdoctoral researchers.This programme fellowship aims to develop postdocs to senior researcher level within 2 years. All fellowships will involve mentoring, academic writing, project planning/implementation, data analyses and career strategy formulation.

Laura Bassi Scholarship

The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline.

ICGEB-SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme

The ICGEB-SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with the South African Department of Science and Innovation and the NRF, will support South African women researchers holding a PhD degree, in Biotechnology or a related discipline, having outstanding ability, and who will perform hypothesis-driven research.