Postgraduate Scholarship (Honours, Masters, Doctoral)

Take the next step to reach greater heights. Apply for a Genus Postgraduate Scholarship!

Your journey towards making a boundless impact starts here.

Follow your passion for Palaeoscience, explore more about the origins of life and uncover the secrets of our past to inform the future.

GENUS is pleased to announce a call for new applications for full-time Postgraduate Scholarships (Honours, Master, & Doctoral) for 2024. GENUS supports Postgraduate Bursaries through the DSI-NRF Centres of Excellence in Palaeosciences funding platform.

How to apply for an NRF Postgraduate bursary funded by GENUS

  1. Go to the online application platform https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za/
  2. Review the NRF Framework and other relevant documents for eligibility and criteria before applying https://www.nrf.ac.za/postgraduate-grants-documents/
  3. Enter your ORCID number. Don’t have one yet?  Register for one HERE
  4. Sync your updated CV with the NRF Online submission CV
  5.  Click Apply to create an application and fill out the relevant information. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.
  6. To ensure that the application comes to us for review, please use the below information for the Applications Category of your application –
  7. Select the full-time student (GENUS: CoE Palaeosciences does not support part-time bursaries)Under Funding Opportunity, select CoE: Palaeosciences using the scroll barUnder Scholarship applying for, select Scholarship linked to NRF-Funded Research using the scroll barUnder NRF-funded researcher’s application/grant reference, enter 86073
  8. Once you have submitted your application, send a pdf copy to info.genus@wits.ac.za so Genus can track the progress of your application.

To learn more about creating a successful grant application, click HERE

Open and Closing Dates

  • First-time Masters & Doctoral Scholarships:  11 July
  • Honours Scholarships: 24 November

*Important! Every university-designated authority has a different internal deadline. The applicant needs to check with their university or supervisor regarding internal deadlines.

NRF contact for application queries

 Ms Malekgotla Finger, Professional Officer, NRF Research Chairs and Centres of Excellence (RCCE). Email: MD.Finger@risa.nrf.ac.za; Tel: 012 481 4003

GENUS contact for application queries

 Ms Joy Mgabadeli, Grant Manager, GENUS: DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences. Email: info.genus@wits.ac.za, Tel: 011 717 6093

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for a GENUS Postgraduate Scholarship?

For Honours, Masters and Doctoral Scholarships, you must have 65 or above marks to apply. Our funding allocations firmly adhere to the funding allocations outlined by the National Research Foundation Funding Framework: 95% of our bursaries are given to South African citizens/permanent residents and 5% to countries outside of South Africa. The Postgraduate Student must be based at one of the GENUS academic, research or museum partner institutions (see FAQs under Prepare Your Application).

Is there an age limit when applying for a Postgraduate Scholarship?

There is a cut-off age for each scholarship. Please refer to the NRF Postgraduate Framework for more details.

How do I apply for a Postgraduate Scholarship?

New applications are submitted through the NRF Connect System https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za/. Make sure to select CoE: Palaeosciences. We recommend that you send us a copy of your final application to info.genus@wits.ac.za so we can track it.

If my application is accepted, does my scholarship come from the NRF?

The funds come from GENUS through the Department of Science and Innovation & National Research Foundation. The bursary is given directly to your host university. Your host university will process your bursary on your behalf.