Current Funding Opportunities for ECRs:

Check out the UCT website for more information. Don't miss out!

Funding opportunities are sent out via the Research Announcement newsletter. Subscribe to that newsletter here. For more information about current funding opportunities, contact Research Support Services.

 

Call for Applications for DSTI-NRF Funding for 2026

The DSTI and NRF have announced a call for new Master's and Doctoral funding applications for the 2026 academic year, with continuing eligible students required to submit progress reports. Funding is available at Full Cost of Study (FCS) for eligible South African citizens and permanent residents (financially needy, disabled, or exceptional academic achievers) and Partial Cost of Study (PCS) for a limited number of international students and other qualifying South Africans. Applications across Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities must be submitted online via the NRF Connect System, with specific opening and closing dates for students at different study levels.

  • Please note that students who want to apply for the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the 2026 Academic Year must do so by 04 July 2025.
  • All applicants will be expected to apply online on the NRF Connect system. No manual applications will be accepted. 
  • Queries related to specific funding opportunities can be directed  to: postgraduatequeries@risa.nrf.ac.za.

 

Please refer to the Application and Funding Guide and Framework documents when completing the online application form at every step of the process:

  • DSTI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral application and funding guideline – 2025 (download)
  • DSTI-NRF Extension Support Master’s and Doctoral application and funding guideline – 2025 (download)
  • DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship Framework for 2026 Funding (download)
  • DSTI-NRF Master's and Doctoral Application and Funding Guide 2026 (download)
  • Frequently Asked Questions Postgraduate Funding 2025 (14 May) (download)
  • Application Guide for SARAO Master's Scholarships for 2026 (download)
  • Application Guide for SARAO Doctoral Scholarships for 2026 (download)
  • NRF Statement of expectation for Postgraduate Training 2026 (download)
  • ISFAP – Application Consent Form (download)

Please note that the NRF will only provide limited funding to qualifying international students and additional funding sources will need to be applied for or available. 

ALL postgraduate students applying for master’s or doctoral NRF scholarships must upload a referee letter from their supervisor/head of department. Please provide your supervisor or head of department (if  supervision is not finalised) with this template for completion. Please upload the completed and signed referee letter to the application to be considered complete and for funding support. Please note, the Designated Authority (UCT NRF Staff) will stamp the letter during their review period. NRF Referee letter template (download).

Note: Any enquiries regarding the NRF calls can also be directed to William Fourie at the UCT Postgraduate Funding Office (PGFO). He can be contacted via email at nrfsupport1@uct.ac.za or by phone at +27 21 650 5629.

Vacancies

Post-Doc

Department/School Faculty Closing date
Post-doctoral research Fellowship in Failure Mechanics and Mechanical Properties Evaluation in Antarctic Sea Ice
View description 		View UCT Chemical Engineering Department here.
Faculty
Engineering & the Built Environment
Closing date

Research

Department/School Faculty Closing date
JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOW: MARINE ISOTOPE BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
View description 		View the UCT Oceanography Department here.
Faculty
Science
Closing date

Other job opportunities available in the marine, polar and coastal environment:

For seminars, vacancies and student opportunities listed by the South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR), check out this link.