We haven't confirmed this year's application window, and these dates move every cycle — so we won't print one. The official page is the only reliable source. Ask us and we'll track it for you and tell you when it opens.
Eligibility
Read the two streams carefully, because only one of them is open to you. The NRF splits its postgraduate funding into FCS, awarded to South African citizens and permanent residents only, and PCS, where international students compete for a quota of just 5 per cent of awards alongside South Africans who missed out on FCS. So this is not closed to an Indian applicant, but the realistic odds are a fraction of what the headline scheme suggests. Funding covers Honours, Master's and Doctoral study, with the level set at application.
Applications run through the South African university you are applying to rather than directly to the NRF, and the institution claims and disburses the funds. Calls open per level and per cycle — the Honours general call, for instance, opens separately from master's and doctoral — so check the dates for your own level rather than assuming one annual window.
Institution-specific. Confirm the current value on the official page before you apply.
Read the two streams carefully, because only one of them is open to you. The NRF splits its postgraduate funding into FCS, awarded to South African citizens and permanent residents only, and PCS, where international students compete for a quota of just 5 per cent of awards alongside South Africans who missed out on FCS. So this is not closed to an Indian applicant, but the realistic odds are a fraction of what the headline scheme suggests. Funding covers Honours, Master's and Doctoral study, with the level set at application.
Applications run through the South African university you are applying to rather than directly to the NRF, and the institution claims and disburses the funds. Calls open per level and per cycle — the Honours general call, for instance, opens separately from master's and doctoral — so check the dates for your own level rather than assuming one annual window.
It funds PG & PhD study. We have not confirmed which destinations it covers — the official page below is the reliable source.
Yes — it recurs, so if you miss this cycle you can plan for the next one. We track the dates for you.
Yes — we check which scholarships you actually qualify for, help with the documents and the application, and it's free.
Want help winning University/Research Scholarships? Free
A counsellor calls you back during office hours — 9am to 8pm IST, Mon to Sat. We are closed right now, so your request is first in line when we reopen.
A senior Vibedu counsellor
Study-abroad expert
Optional — so a counsellor can send your shortlist and documents in writing.
