Call for applications for DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship Programme South Africa is Open !!!
The DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship Programme, also known as the NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship, is a collaborative initiative between the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF).
It supports postgraduate training for South African students pursuing full-time Master’s or PhD degrees at any South African university, across all fields of study. The program emphasizes fields with relevance to national development, university staff capacity building, and public sector needs for academically trained personnel. It also provides opportunities for recipients to gain additional research experience in Germany through short-term stays or summer schools.
The DAAD, or German Academic Exchange Service, is a publicly funded, independent organization representing Germany’s higher education institutions. Founded in 1925 by students in Heidelberg, it serves as the world’s largest funding body for international academic exchanges, supporting students, researchers, and academics in building global connections.
Its primary mission is to promote international mobility and cooperation in higher education, fostering academic relations between Germany and the rest of the world. This includes funding opportunities for study, research, internships, and professional development, often emphasizing fields relevant to global challenges like sustainability, technology, and cultural exchange.
DAAD offers a wide range of programs for undergraduates, graduates, PhD candidates, and postdocs, including study scholarships, research grants, and internships like RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering).
The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa is a government-funded agency that serves as an intermediary between the policies and strategies of the South African government and the country’s research community. Established in 1999 under the National Research Foundation Act 23 of 1998, it was formed by merging the former Foundation for Research Development (FRD) and the Centre for Science Development (CSD) of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
This is an in-country program focused on studies within South Africa, distinct from DAAD’s broader In-Region scholarships for Sub-Saharan Africa (which may allow study in other African countries but have separate administration for South African in-country applicants). They will also get the opportunity to apply for interdisciplinary summer schools in Germany during the funding period.
Duration
- Master’s: Up to 2 years.
- PhD: Up to 3 years.
- Short-term research in Germany: 3-6 months (applied for separately)
Benefits
- The scholarship covers living expenses and other costs for studies in South Africa:
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- Master’s level: ZAR 80,000 per annum.
- PhD level: ZAR 110,000 per annum.
Eligibilities
- South African citizenship or a permanent South African residency is a requirement for the scholarship.
- The NRF’s minimum academic requirement for postgraduate funding is 65%.
Application Process
- Applications have to be submitted to NRF only through their portal given in the ‘”apply now” link.
Application Deadline: November 26, 2025 (30 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
