TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship
TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship Overview
International students who wish to pursue PhD research studies at NRF, South Africa, may apply to the TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship Programme. The programme will offer a set monthly payment that must be utilised to pay for living expenses like housing, food, and health insurance.
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) is a partnership between South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) that aims to advance science in developing nations through the NRF-TWAS Doctoral Fellowships. TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowships are valid for a maximum of three years at research institutions in South Africa. In order to enable scientists from underdeveloped nations (aside from South Africa) to conduct PhD research in the natural sciences.
Through research, education, policy, and diplomacy, TWAS—the World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries—works to ensure sustainable prosperity. A global science academy called TWAS is situated in Trieste, Italy.A remarkable group of scientists from the developing countries, led by the Pakistani physicist and Nobel laureate Abdus Salam, established TWAS in 1983. They both believed that developing countries might obtain the knowledge and expertise necessary to address issues like hunger, disease, and poverty by strengthening their research and engineering sectors. From the beginning, Italian scientists and political figures provided crucial support for the Academy.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: PhD
- Institution(s): National Research Foundation
- Study Location: South Africa
- Program Period: Three years
- Deadline: Refer to the provided link for specific deadlines
Elevate Your Research in Various Fields
Unlock the opportunity to pursue your PhD in South Africa with the TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowships. These fellowships are designed to support students in a range of fields, enabling you to conduct cutting-edge research and contribute to the scientific community.
Scholarship Coverage
The TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship provides a comprehensive support package, including:
- Partial Cost of Study (PCS) funding, which covers tuition fees (R30,000 per annum).
- Accommodation costs, with a maximum coverage of R101,196 per annum per student.
- NRF will cover the cost of the cheapest return economy flight and visa and/or study permit expenses for recipients of the TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide (non-EU). Check the provided link for the list of eligible countries.
- Must not be living, studying, or working in South Africa in 2022.
- Applicants who were previously employed or studying toward a degree or conducting research in South Africa and have returned to their home country for less than two (2) years are not eligible to apply.
- Must hold an MSc degree in a field of natural sciences.
- Must have achieved a minimum of 65% at the master’s level to be eligible for doctoral funding.
- Must enroll at a South African public university in 2023 on a full-time basis and may be based at any South African public research institution, including Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Science Councils, and National Research Facilities.
- Must be a maximum of 32 years of age by December 31st of the application year.
- Must provide proof of evaluation of all foreign qualifications obtained from non-South African universities, evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Proof of submission to SAQA is required, and failure to provide this proof will result in rejection.
- Must meet visa and immigration laws of their home country and South Africa. The applicant must arrange their Visa and/or study permit under the program for study in South Africa. NRF and TWAS will not assist with visa arrangements.
- Must commit to returning to their home country upon completion of their studies. Failure to return may result in repayment of the scholarship.
- Eligible only for research under Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) disciplines.
- Must not take on other assignments during the fellowship.
- Must provide an official proof of study application and/or acceptance letter from a South African institution.
- Must provide a motivation letter from the prospective doctoral supervisor.
- Must provide an English language proficiency certificate if available at the time of application. If not available, it will be required before NRF funds are released.
- Must present a detailed research project registered and approved by the host institution, along with a letter of support from the prospective host supervisor.
- Must provide an official academic record on university letterhead.
- Must be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.
How to Apply
To apply for the TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship, follow these steps:
Stage 1: Application for acceptance at South African Institutions
- Contact institutions in South Africa or potential supervisors to secure placement into the doctoral research training program.
- Obtain an official letter of acceptance from your host South African institution or department and a motivation letter from your host.
- Register and approve your research project with the host institution.
Stage 2: Submitting your application
- Apply for the NRF – TWAS Doctoral Fellowship for 2023 through the NRF Online application system.
- Follow the detailed guidelines provided in the “Application and Funding Guide for the 2022 academic year.”
- Submit your application before the deadline, which is July 8, 2022. Be aware that universities will set their internal cutoff dates for applications.
- No applications will be accepted after the deadline, so apply as early as possible.
- Ensure that your application is submitted electronically through the online application portal.
- Incomplete applications or those that do not meet eligibility criteria will not be considered.
Contact Information
For inquiries about the call for applications or the TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowships programs, please contact the relevant authorities through the details provided in the official call for applications.
To Apply:
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