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Phd / Africa Universities

South Africa DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship Programme 2025 (Fully Funded)

Scholarship
South Africa
On-site
Published Aug 9, 2025

Overview

Master’s Degree

PhD Degree

Description

Master’s Degree

PhD Degree

Eligibility

To qualify for the DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship Programme, applicants must:

Be a South African citizen or hold permanent residency.
Be accepted or in the process of being accepted for Master’s or PhD studies at a recognized South African higher education institution.
Demonstrate that their field of study is aligned with national development needs.
Fulfil the NRF and DAAD application requirements, as outlined in the official call.
Apply through the NRF Online Submission System; applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.

Additional Information

Degree Level

Master’s Degree
PhD Degree

Available Subjects

The programme supports studies in any field that has strong relevance to South Africa’s national development priorities. Specific disciplines are not restricted, but applicants must demonstrate the societal or developmental importance of their research area.

Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

ZAR 80,000 per annum for Master’s students (up to two years).
ZAR 110,000 per annum for PhD students (up to three years).
These funds can be used to cover tuition fees, research expenses, and living costs, depending on the student’s budget plan and institutional policies.

Duration Of Funding

Master’s: Up to 2 years

Eligible Nationalities

South African nationals
South African permanent residents Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship Programme, applicants must:

Be a South African citizen or hold permanent residency.
Be accepted or in the process of being accepted for Master’s or PhD studies at a recognized South African higher education institution.
Demonstrate that their field of study is aligned with national development needs.
Fulfil the NRF and DAAD application requirements, as outlined in the official call.
Apply through the NRF Online Submission System; applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.

Application Procedure

Check the Call for Applications: The annual call is published on the NRF website from June. NRF website: www.nrf.ac.za/bursaries/calls DAAD South Africa: www.daad.org.za/nrf
NRF website: www.nrf.ac.za/bursaries/calls
DAAD South Africa: www.daad.org.za/nrf
Prepare Your Documents: Applicants should update their CV and prepare all supporting documentation according to NRF guidelines.
Submit Online: Applications must be submitted via the NRF Connect Online Submissions System: https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za Applications submitted outside this system will not be considered.
Institutional Screening: Applications are screened and validated by the applicant’s institution before submission to NRF.
Selection Process: A joint panel of university professors and representatives from NRF and DAAD will review applications.
Notification: Successful candidates will be informed directly by the NRF.

Selection Process

Final selection is competitive and based on academic excellence, research potential, and the relevance of the proposed study to South Africa’s development priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions Faqs

Who can apply for the DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship? South African citizens and permanent residents enrolled or intending to enrol in a Master’s or PhD programme at a recognized local university.
How much funding does the scholarship provide? Master’s students receive ZAR 80,000 per year, and PhD students receive ZAR 110,000 per year.
Where should I submit my application? Only through the NRF Connect Online Submissions System. Applications sent directly to DAAD or other channels will not be accepted.

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Funding

Fully Funded

Organization

Africa Universities

Degree

Masters, PhD

Subjects

All Subjects

Nationality

International Students

Country

South Africa

Source

Information provided by scholarships_ads.

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