On this page, we find out what requirements you need in order to qualify for NRF bursary in 2026. NRF bursary does not fund all fields of studies. It’s main focus is funding postgraduate students in the Engineering and Technology fields – thats where 80% of funding goes to. The other 20% funds certain fields from the Social Sciences and Humanities.
List of NRF Bursary Requirements for 2026
NRF bursary has a list of requirements which students should meet, before applying, which are:
- You must be a South African student who is a permanent resident
- For Honours students:
- Minimum 65% average for major undergraduate subjects is required
- You must be 28 years or younger
- For Master’s students:
- Minimum 65% average at honours/postgrad diploma/final year of 4-year degree
- FCS: Requires 75% +
- Must be 30 years or younger
- For Doctoral students:
- Minimum 65% average at master’s level
- Must be 32 years or younger
What will also be considered for NRF bursary application are your household income which should be under R350 000 per annum. This makes the NSFAS students to easily qualify for NRF bursary.
On the following sections, we will look at the some helpful tips that will enhance your chances to qualify for NRF bursary.
Tips on How to Qualify for NRF Bursary in 2026
The following are the tips based on previous applicants’ experiences over the years on how to qualify for NRF bursary::
65 % Will Not Get You Accepted
According to NRF, you should get a minimum of 65% to qualify. However, in reality, a 65% is considered low marks. This is because many postgraduate learners applying for this bursary have marks which are way over 65% mark. 70% is mostly an unofficial “average” mark.
Get 70% and above to improve your chances of qualifying.
Complete Your Undergraduate Degree on Record Time to Get Funded
One of the “unannounced” qualifying criteria for NRF bursary, based on the students experience, is that your undergraduate degree should be completed in record time. If it took you longer than a stipulated record time to finish your undergraduate degree, your chances you getting rejected are significantly high.
Your Qualification Must Be Relevant to the National Priority Areas
If your qualification is not entirely aligned with the national priority areas, the NRF bursary will not fund you. As it stands, the current national priority areas of South Africa are:
- Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET)
- Renewable Energy and Climate Change
- Water and Environmental Sustainability
- Food Security and Agriculture
- Health Sciences and Biomedical Research
- Digital Technologies and Innovation
- Education and Teacher Development, in Maths, Science, and Technology
- Social Sciences and Humanities that support national transformation and social justice
Your Proposal for NRF Bursary Funding Must be Well-Written
For all master’s and PhD students, a well-written proposal (motivation) is mandatory, and will be used to determine if you should be considered for NRF bursary or not.
When you write your proposal, do not only wear your academic hat, but be very realistic in terms of highlighting an existing problem that your study intends to resolve. Think about, what value will this study adds to my grandmother’s daily life. That’s just an example. But you get what i mean.
How Much Will NRF Bursary Give You?
NRF bursary funding amounts differs according to the level of qualifications. Honours gets lower funding as compared to a PhD degree. Let’s look at the different funding amounts below:
- Honours students will get R2850 per month, a travel allowance of around R1100, and up to R50 000 per year for accommodation.
- Master’s students will get from R3100 per month allowance, plus travel and yearly accommodation costs.
- PhD students will get from R4500 to R5500 monthly allowance, plus travel and accommodation fees.
@asisipho_mbi Replying to @Piink … and yes all your documents need to be certified. #allthingseducationwithasisipho #allthingseducation #onlinetutorial #ukznstudents #dutuniversity #caoapplication #witsgraduation #saeducators #saeducationsystem ♬ original sound – YT: Asisipho Mbingeleli