NRF Masters Freestanding Block Grants for International Students in South Africa 2018

The NRF invites applications for the NRF Master’s Freestanding Block Grants for 2018 open to South African citizens / South African permanent residents, 13% to foreign nationals, 5% to SADC, 4% to the rest of Africa and 4% to students outside Africa.

The NRF is mandated by an Act of Parliament, the National Research Foundation Act (Act No 23 of 1998) to “support and promote research through funding, human capacity development and the provision of the necessary research facilities, in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge”. The scholarships are funded by the NRF core grant allocation from National Treasury, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the International Institution for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) for Human Capital Development (HCD).

Worth of Award

Master’s Freestanding Bursary: R50 000

Eligibility

• Applicants must be registered full time for a master’s dissertation in 2018.
• Applicants that are registered for the proposal module are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants who registered for their degree before 2017 are not eligible to apply.
• Scholarships are based on academic merit.
• Preference will be given to students that were previously funded by NSFAS or the University Financial Aid Scheme (proof must be attached).
• Applicants’ research should be aligned with one of the National Research Priorities areas.
• Bursaries are not awarded for parallel degrees, that is, a second degree at the same level of a degree already held by the applicant.
• The bursary-holder may hold bursaries, awards, assistantships and receive emoluments from private institutions in conjunction with the NRF Scholarship. The bursary may not be held concurrently with any other NRF or government-funded scholarships.
• Bursars are NOT allowed to be employed on a full-time basis (this include interns, postgraduate student assistants or any other form of employment where they are remunerated), may only undertake a maximum of 12 hours per week of teaching, tutorials, assistance or demonstrating duties.
• In line with the South African equity targets, NRF Freestanding bursaries will be approved according to the following set equity targets: 80% blacks, 55% women, 20% white and 4% students with disabilities.
• In line with the South African equity targets, the Innovation Block Grant is awarded to South African citizens / South African permanent residents, 13% to foreign nationals, 5% to SADC, 4% to the rest of Africa and 4% to students outside Africa. In addition DST-NRF Innovation bursaries will be approved according to the following set equity targets: 80% blacks, 55% women, 20% white and 4% students with disabilities.

How to Apply

• Complete the attached form and submit it to the Unisa Research Support Directorate with the required supporting documentation (see below list) via e-mail ([email protected]) by 24 October 2018:
  1. 2018 proof of registration on the University letterhead
  2. Certified copy of South African ID
  3. Full academic record on the University letterhead
  4. Proof that the student was previously funded by NSFAS or University Financial Aid Scheme (only applicable to students that were previously funded by NSFAS)
  5. Affidavit from a police station (comfirming that you are NOT full-time employed during 2018 academic year (ieyou do not hold any full-time salaried job).

Deadline: applications Close 24 October 2018

 

Click here for more details and to apply