Nurturing Emerging Programme (NESP) Application for South Africans

Are you planning to embark on master’s degree studies? Have you considered a career as an academic? Then the Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP) may be for you!

The NESP is a three-year programme that includes a two-year master’s scholarship followed immediately by a one-year academic internship at a recruiting South African university.

Applications are now open for a prestigious, structured postgraduate study and development opportunity, which is a first step into an academic career. This programme will:

  • Enable you to register and study for a full-time master’s degree at a university of your choice.
  • Ensure you are fully supported through a scholarship for up to two years.
  • Enable you to take up a one-year internship at a South African university after completion of the master’s degree.
  • Ensure that you are fully supported by a mentor for the duration of your participation in the development programme.
  • Provide an opportunity for exposure through support for possible international mobility experience.
  • Enable you to develop your teaching and research abilities.

The NESP application is only for students studying in the field of Forensic Science.

To qualify for the NESP programme, you must:

  • Show interest in becoming an academic.
  • Be 35 years or younger.
  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Have a minimum average of 65% attained in a relevant honour’s degree.
  • Show evidence of eligibility to undertake postgraduate studies at master’s level.
  • Show commitment to placement at the recruiting university for the entire three years of the programme (two years of studying and one year of internship at the recruiting university).

Prospective applicants have to apply online at DHET NESP Application (ru.ac.za). Read the instructions carefully. On the website, click on the University of the Free State logo to complete the application. Please note that you need a Gmail address to create a profile and complete the application.

The closing date for applications is 3 February 2023.

UFS Second and Third – Year Doctoral Bursaries 2023

The University of the Free State will be providing financial support (partial tuition fee) to second and third-year doctoral students for the year 2023.

Who can apply?

  • Second-year doctoral students who have submitted annual progress reports on the Graduate Research Management (GRM) system.
  • Third-year doctoral students who have submitted annual progress reports on the Graduate Research Management (GRM) system.

Important to note

  • The bursary is a once-off award for the 2023 academic year; there is no guarantee for 2024 funding.
  • Only students who do not have any other source of funding will be considered. Students who are recipients of other tuition fee funding in 2023 do not qualify.
  • Students must meet all academic requirements of the university and be registered for a doctoral degree at the University of the Free State.
  • Students must already have an internal UFS supervisor assigned.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • UFS Doctoral Bursary holders must attend the Centre for Graduate Support Research Capacity Development workshops.

What is covered?

  • Tuition fees, subject to the availability of funds.

What is not covered?

  • University registration fees, accommodation fees and living costs.

Closing date for application is 28 February 2023

Click here to apply

UFS First-Year Doctoral Bursaries 2023

The University of the Free State will be providing financial support (partial tuition fee) to first-year doctoral students for the year 2023.

Who can apply?

First-year doctoral students in 2023

Important to note:

  • The bursary is a once-off award for the 2023 academic year; there is no guarantee for 2024 funding.
  • Only students who do not have any other source of funding will be considered. Students who are recipients of other tuition fee funding in 2023 do not qualify.
  • Students must meet all academic requirements of the university and be registered for a doctoral degree at the University of the Free State.
  • Students must already have an internal UFS supervisor assigned.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • UFS Doctoral Bursary holders must attend the Centre for Graduate Support Research Capacity Development workshops.

What is covered?

• Tuition fees, subject to the availability of funds.

What is not covered?

• University registration fees, accommodation fees and living costs.

How to apply

Complete the online application and FDO form

Closing date for applications is 30 September 2023

Enquiries can be directed to Prince Khoza at KhozaPN@ufs.ac.za or at the Centre for Graduate Support, Johannes Brill Building, Office 5

UFS First-Year Research Masters Bursaries 2023

The University of the Free State will be providing financial support (partial tuition fee) to first-year research master’s students for the year 2023.

Who can apply?

  • First-year research master’s students in 2023

Important to note

  • The bursary is a once-off award for the 2023 academic year; there is no guarantee for 2024 funding.
  • Only students who do not have any other source of funding will be considered. Students who are recipients of other tuition fee funding in 2023 do not qualify.
  • Students must meet all academic requirements of the university and be registered for a master’s degree by research at the University of the Free State.
  • Students must already have an internal UFS supervisor assigned.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • UFS Master’s Bursary holders must attend the Centre for Graduate Support Research Capacity Development workshops.

What is covered?

  • Tuition fees, which will be subject to the availability of funds.

What is not covered?

  • University registration fees, accommodation fees and living costs.

How to apply?

Complete the online application and FRM form.

Closing date for applications is 30 September 2023

Enquiries can be directed to Prince Khoza at KhozaPN@ufs.ac.za or at the Centre for Graduate Support, Johannes Brill Building, Office 5

UFS Second -Year Research Masters Bursaries 2023

The University of the Free State will be providing financial support (partial tuition fee) to second year research master’s students for the year 2023.

Who can apply?

  • Second-year research master’s students who have submitted annual progress reports on the Graduate Research Management (GRM) system.

Important to note:

  • The bursary is a once-off award for the 2023 academic year; there is no guarantee for 2024 funding.
  • Only students who do not have any other source of funding will be considered. Students who are recipients of other tuition fee funding in 2023 do not qualify.
  • Students must meet all academic requirements of the university and be registered for a master’s degree by research at the University of the Free State.
  • Students must already have an internal UFS supervisor assigned.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • UFS Master’s Bursary holders must attend the Centre for Graduate Support Research Capacity Development workshops.

What is covered?

  • Tuition fees, which will be subject to the availability of funds.

What is not covered?

  • University registration fees, accommodation fees and living costs.

How to apply?

Complete the online application

Closing date for applications is 28 February 2023

Enquiries can be directed to Prince Khoza at KhozaPN@ufs.ac.za or at the Centre for Graduate Support, Johannes Brill Building, Office 5

UFS First-Year Structured Masters Bursaries 2023

The University of the Free State will be providing financial support (partial tuition fee) to first-year structured master’s students for the year 2023.

Who can apply?

First-year structured master’s students in 2023

Who is not eligible?

  • Students registered for part-time studies.
  • Students registered for a degree at the same level (or lower) to that already obtained (e.g. a second master’s degree); and
  • Students registered for an MBA degree.

Important to note

  • The bursary is awarded on academic merit:
  • Minimum average of 65% for all subjects at the honours level; or Minimum average of 65% for all subjects for a Postgraduate diploma; or Minimum average of 65% for all final year subjects of a four-year degree.
  • The bursary is a once-off award for the 2023 academic year; there is no guarantee for 2024 funding.
  • Only students who do not have any other source of funding will be considered. Students who are recipients of other tuition fee funding in 2023 do not qualify.
  • Students must meet all academic requirements of the university and be registered for a master’s degree with a research component (mini-dissertation) at the University of the Free State.
  • Complying with minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee successful application; bursaries are awarded on academic merit and availability of funds.
  • UFS Master’s Bursary holders must attend the Centre for Graduate Support Research Capacity Development workshops.

What is covered?

  • Partial tuition fees, subject to the availability of funds.

Closing date for applications is 28 February 2023

How to apply?

Complete the online application

Applicants who did not complete their pre-requisite degree at the University of the Free State must email their academic transcript in PDF format to PostgradFunding@ufs.ac.za with the email subject “Application for First-Year Structured Master’s Funding – UFS student number”.

Enquiries can be directed to Prince Khoza at KhozaPN@ufs.ac.za or at the Centre for Graduate Support, Johannes Brill Building, Office 5

UFS Second-Year Structured Masters Bursaries 2023

The University of the Free State will be providing financial support (partial tuition fee) to second year structured master’s students for the year 2023.

Who can apply?

  • Second-year structured master’s students registered for the mini-dissertation.

Who is not eligible?

  • Students registered for an MBA degree.

Important to note?

  • The bursary is a once-off award for the 2023 academic year; there is no guarantee for 2024 funding.
  • Only students who do not have any other source of funding will be considered. Students who are recipients of other tuition fee funding in 2023 do not qualify.
  • Students must meet all academic requirements of the university and be registered for a master’s degree with a research component (mini-dissertation) at the University of the Free State.
  • Students must already have an internal UFS supervisor assigned.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • UFS Master’s Bursary holders must attend the Centre for Graduate Support Research Capacity Development workshops.

What is covered?

  • Partial tuition fees, which will be subject to the availability of funds.

What is not covered?

  • University registration fees, accommodation fees and living costs.

How to apply?

Complete the online application and SSM form

Closing date for applications is 28 February 2023

Enquiries can be directed to Prince Khoza at KhozaPN@ufs.ac.za or at the Centre for Graduate Support, Johannes Brill Building, Office 5


Research Funding for Master’s and Doctoral Students 


The Centre for Graduate Support (CGS) is providing partial funding for research-related costs for registered master’s and doctoral students. The funds are to be used for the collection of primary data for the purpose of meeting a specific research goal for the final presentation of the research.

Funds are awarded on a competitive basis and depend on the availability of funds at the time of application. The research conducted must adhere to all university requirements, including policies related to the ethical conduct of research.

Application forms are to be submitted at least eight weeks before the fieldwork is scheduled to take place to allow for timeous processing.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Students must be registered for master’s or doctoral studies.
  • Students must have received research ethics approval.
  • Master’s students are eligible for research funding within the first two years of registration.
  • Doctoral students are eligible for research funding within the first three years of registration.
  • Students must demonstrate that all relevant UFS requirements relating to research have been met.
  • Students must submit a detailed timetable for research-related travel.
  • Students must provide a satisfactory progress report.
  • Students must provide information on the rationale for the study, aims, objectives, and methods to be employed.
  • Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee a successful application. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis and depend on the availability of funds at the time of application.
  • Retrospective applications are not permitted.
  • Applications must be supported by the student’s supervisor.

Click here for the application form


Conference Funding for Master’s and Doctoral Students 

The University of the Free State (UFS) is providing partial financial assistance for full-time registered master’s and doctoral students to attend local and international conferences. This collaboration between the Centre for Graduate Support (CGS) and the Office for International Affairs (OIA) aims to provide support for students to present their research, publish and establish networks.

Funds are awarded on a competitive basis and depend on the availability of funds at the time of application. The research being presented must adhere to all university requirements, including policies related to the ethical conduct of research. Application forms are to be submitted at least eight weeks before the conference is scheduled to take place to allow for timeous processing. It is expected that conference papers will lead to a peer-reviewed publication, so it should be the student’s intention to submit the work for publication.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Proof of acceptance of the abstract.
  • Letter of invitation and documentation of the conference.
  • Master’s students are eligible for local travel support within the first two years of registration.
  • Doctoral students are eligible for local and international travel support within the first three years of registration.
  • Students must present work that has arisen from their studies.
  • Students must demonstrate that the conference is of appropriate academic standing and offers significant opportunities for them.
  • Students must outline plans for the development of a paper for publication in an accredited journal (should provide proof of submission and/or acceptance post conference).
  • Students must provide information on the rationale for the study, aims, objectives, and methods to be employed.
  • Doctoral students must have previously published in an accredited journal.
  • Students who have been funded previously must provide proof of publication in an accredited journal.
  • Applications must be supported by the student’s supervisor.

Click HERE for the application form.

Other Funding Opportunities

Are you planning to further your studies? below is a list of funding opportunities that might just be right for you!