Announcement Of Successful Applications: First-Time Masters And Doctoral Scholarships – Thuthuka, Black Academics Advanced Programme (Baap) And Research Development Grants For Y- Rated Researchers Grantholder Linked For 2026 Academic Year

The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and National Research Foundation (NRF) are pleased to announce the provisional awards for the DSTI NRF First-Time Masters and Doctoral Scholarships Linked to Thuthuka, Black Academics Advanced Programme (BAAP) and Research Development Grants For Y-Rated Researchers Grantholders in 2026. The awards have been made according to the strategic objectives of the Masters and Doctoral funding instruments, the DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Funding Policy and the available budget. Successful applications for DSTI-NRF First-Time Masters and Doctoral Scholarships are listed in the Table 1 and Table 2. Candidates are either awarded at Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS).

PLEASE NOTE:

• If your name appears in the tables below, you have been provisionally successful in receiving an award for 2026, provided that you meet the minimum requirements according to the NRF Postgraduate Scholarships Call for 2025, the framework document and the Conditions of Grant.
• Successful candidates will be able to view and download their award letters in January 2026, via NRF Connect against your application.
• Read through the Conditions of Grant and award letter documents carefully before accepting the award.
• Guidelines on how to accept the award: https://www.nrf.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Acceptance-of-Award.pdf
• Should you not meet the relevant requirements for FCS or PCS funding, the NRF reserves the right not to award the scholarship.
• Should you not meet the relevant requirements for FCS funding, the NRF reserves the right to change your scholarship to PCS funding.
• Funds will only be released once the completed documentation is received by the NRF.
• Students (South Africans and Permanent Residents) that have achieved ≥ 75% and are awarded at PCS funding should not accept the award on the system, rather contact the DA and provide the proof of academic achievement.
• Awards not taken up by 30 April 2026 will be automatically cancelled, unless otherwise approved by the NRF. Students that will be taking up funding in the second semester should notify the NRF in writing via the institutional office and obtain the necessary approvals.
• If your name does not appear in the Table below or any other published list of successful applicants, it means you have not been awarded a scholarship for 2026.
• Feedback to unsuccessful candidates will be provided between January and March 2026.
• The NRF provides feedback to unsuccessful candidates via the NRF Connect against your application.
• The NRF has made all attempts to support Financial Needy students and Academic achievers at FCS, however not all students eligible for FCS could be supported due to budget constraints. The NRF will not consider requests from students for category changes from PCS to FCS based on financial need.
• Students are encouraged to carefully read the conditions of grant and the framework document before accepting the award.
• All programme eligibility requirements will be confirmed by the institutional office and the NRF on acceptance of award.
• The NRF reserves the right to withdraw and cancel the scholarship should the applicant fail to meet all necessary conditions and/or requirements as stated in the NRF Postgraduate Scholarships Call for 2026, the Framework document and the Conditions of Grant.

Full document below: