2016 NRF-TWAS Doctoral Scholarships / NRF-TWAS African Renaissance Doctoral Scholarships

Application Deadline: 29th of June 2016

Offered annually? No

Eligible Countries: Developing countries and Africa (Africans are ONLY eligible to apply for theNRF-TWAS African Renaissance Doctoral Fellowship)

To be taken at (country): South Africa

Brief description: The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in partnership with The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) are offering combined scholarships in the following two(2) categories:

• NRF – TWAS Doctoral Fellowships
• NRF – TWAS African Renaissance Doctoral Fellowships

Eligible Fields of Study: Science, Engineering and Technology

About the Award: TWAS has been supporting scientists and institutions in developing countries through a wide range of programmes that focus on scientific capacity building. The core mandate of the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) is to promote and support research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of research. In order to realise this mandate, the NRF has made great commitment and investment towards supporting “next generation” researchers and to intensify and strengthen African and global networks.

The partnership between The NRF and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) has led to the establishment of two Doctoral Scholarships namely; the NRF – TWAS Doctoral Scholarship and the NRF – TWAS African Renaissance Doctoral Scholarship. This award is strategically aimed at increasing and supporting Doctoral scholars from Africa and developing countries who will be funded per annum for a maximum of three (3) years to pursue full-time research training in South Africa. There will be an intake of 70 doctoral scholars each year for three (3) years, starting in 2017.

Offered Since: 2017

Type: Doctoral Fellowship

Eligibility: 

• The NRF-TWAS Doctoral Scholarship funding Instrument is open to citizens and permanent residents from developing countries outside Africa
• The NRF-TWAS African Renaissance Doctoral Scholarship funding instrument is open to citizens and permanent residents from Africa except South Africa
• No resident of South Africa or citizen of South Africa in any developed country who holds temporary residence permits (this includes study permits) is eligible to apply;
• Foreign citizens who were previously employed or studying towards a degree or undertaking research in South Africa, and have returned to their country of origin but have been in their country of origin for less than two (2) years are NOT eligible.
• Applicants must be thirty five (35) years of age on 31 December of the year of application for the doctoral scholarship ;
• Applicants must hold a university degree that will satisfy requirements for admission to doctoral studies at a South African public university, which is generally a Master’s Degree;
• Visa and immigration laws of the applicant’s home country and South Africa must be met by the applicant.
• Application Requirements: Applicants must provide an official letter from their host South African institution, department or laboratory and motivation from the applicant’s host.
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the respective institution to apply for acceptance. In addition, it is also the responsibility of the applicant to secure a supervisor for the study;
• The research project must be registered and approved by the host institution (a letter of support from the prospective supervisor must be attached to the application;
• Applicants must have all foreign qualifications (obtained from non-South Africa universities) evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA).
• A SAQA evaluation certificate must be submitted with the application, failing which the application will be rejected.
• The applicant must secure their own visa’s or study permits under the programme for study in South Africa.

Selection Criteria: 

• Scholarships may not be held simultaneously with another scholarship from any other TWAS, South African government or NRF administered source;
• Doctoral scholars may not concurrently hold the scholarship with any full-time employment position;
• Doctoral scholars can hold non-binding supplementary grants or emoluments to the institutional capped value.
• Applicant expertise/training that will enable the applicant to successfully undertake the proposed research.
• The applicant’s research track record which could include peer reviewed publications, conference proceedings, research prizes and awards.
• Scientific and Technical quality of proposed research Literature review with citations, significance of the research in terms of the problem statement, aims and objectives.
• Research design, methodology developed to address aims of the research.
• Alignment with national and institutional research priorities.
• Institutional support for the postdoctoral fellowship through infrastructure and facilities for an enabling environment.
• Potential Research Outputs and Impact of the research Details of envisaged realistic outputs of the research such as publications, conference proceedings, toolkits, policy documents.
• Contribution to postdoctoral research skills development in a priority research area (human capacity development of the applicant)
• Potential for socio-economic impact of the research in South Africa

Number of Awardees: 

• NRF – TWAS Doctoral Scholarship funding instrument: 20 scholars from developing countries outside Africa;
• NRF – TWAS African Renaissance Doctoral Scholarships funding instrument: 50 scholars from Africa.

Value of Scholarship:

• A single economy airfare to travel from home country to South Africa;
• A single economy airfare to return to home country upon completion of the doctoral degree.
• Non-taxable stipend of R110 000 per annum
• Local travel costs R25 000
• Maximum international travel costs R50 000

Duration of Scholarship: Up to three (3) years

How to Apply: Applications should be submitted via the NRF Online Submission System. Read further instructions on the Application Process Guides here and here

Visit Scholarship Webpage for details

Award Provider: The World Academy of Sciences, National Research Foundation (NRF) and Department of Science and Technology (DST)

Important Notes: Applicants are advised to complete their applications soon after the call is open to prevent IT system overload nearer the closing date of Friday, 29 July 2016. The NRF will not process applications that are incomplete, contain insufficient or incorrect detail, or fail to comply with instruction as such applications will be rejected. The application must be completed in sufficient detail to allow for a comprehensive review and evaluation by external reviewers. In addition to the electronic application and required attachments, the NRF may request additional information or documentation to support an application if required. Failure to supply such information or documentation upon request may result in the rejection of the application.