The DSTI-NRF Honours General Funding 2027 call opened on 7 July 2026. This is part of the DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding call for the 2027 academic year and supports Honours-level study across eligible fields at South African public universities.
At a glance
Sponsor/host: Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) / National Research Foundation (NRF)
Opportunity type: Postgraduate scholarship funding
Who it’s for: Honours applicants for the 2027 academic year
Study level: Honours (General)
Application route: NRF Connect
Opening date: 7 July 2026
Closing date: 23 November 2026
Last verified: 7 July 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
This is an update opportunity because the site has older NRF postgraduate and Honours pages, but not the current 2027 Honours General call. Applicants should also check their university’s internal closing date, which may be earlier than the NRF closing date.
Applicants who need ISFAP assessment should submit earlier than the final NRF closing date. University postgraduate offices usually publish internal deadlines and can assist with the correct route.
About the sponsor
The National Research Foundation is South Africa’s research-funding agency. Together with DSTI, it supports postgraduate training and research capacity across Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities and related fields.
What it covers
DSTI-NRF postgraduate funding can be awarded as Full Cost of Study or Partial Cost of Study, depending on the applicant category, financial need, disability status, academic achievement and NRF funding criteria. Applicants should consult the NRF funding framework and application guide for final award values and conditions.
Eligibility
- Must be applying for Honours-level study for the 2027 academic year
- Must meet the NRF minimum academic requirement, generally at least 65% for the previous degree
- Must apply through NRF Connect
- Must study at a qualifying South African public university
- Must comply with NRF scholarship category and documentation requirements
- South African citizens, permanent residents and limited international categories may be treated differently under Full Cost or Partial Cost rules
Documents to prepare
- Official academic record
- Certified ID or passport documents as required
- Proof of registration or admission where available
- Financial-need and disability documentation if applying under those categories
- Any university-specific internal forms or confirmations
- Additional documents required by the NRF Connect workflow
Closing date
23 November 2026, subject to earlier institutional internal deadlines.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring university internal deadlines
- Submitting without an official academic record
- Choosing the wrong NRF funding category
- Waiting until November despite needing ISFAP assessment or institutional review
- Submitting outside NRF Connect
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against the official NRF DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the 2027 Academic Year page, which lists the Honours General opening date as 7 July 2026 and closing date as 23 November 2026.
How to apply
- Read the NRF 2027 postgraduate funding page and guides.
- Confirm your university’s internal deadline and required documents.
- Create or update your NRF Connect profile.
- Select the appropriate Honours General funding route.
- Complete and submit the application before your internal and NRF deadlines.