TWAS-NRF Doctoral Programme for Developing Countries Scientists

Are you a young scientist from a developing country who wish to get a PhD in natural sciences? South Africa may be your next home.

South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) are working in partnership with The World Academy of Sciences to advance science in developing countries through the NRF-TWAS Doctoral Fellowships.

Programme Details

These Doctoral Fellowships are awarded to scientists from developing countries (151 countries other than South Africa) to enable them to pursue PhD research in the natural sciences. They are tenable at research institutions in South Africa for a maximum period of three years. Before applying for a fellowship, candidates must be accepted by a doctoral programme in an institution in South Africa.

Awarded candidates under TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowships will be provided Partial Cost of Study (PCS) funding and this will only cover tuition fees (R30 000 per annum) and accommodation costs (R60 000 per annum) for a maximum of R90 000 per annum per student. Additionally, the NRF will cover cheapest return economy flight and the visa and/or study permit costs for TWAS-NRF doctoral awarded candidates.

The language of instruction will be English.

Eligibility

Applicants for these fellowships must meet the following criteria:

be citizens or permanent residents of a developing country (other than South Africa);
must not be living studying or working in South Africa or any developed country;
applicants 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 years, are not eligible to apply;
must have obtained minimum of 65% at the masters’ level;
must register at a South African public university in 2021, on a full-time basis and may be based at any South African public research institution;
must be a maximum of 32 years of age by 31 December of the year of application;
must have obtained an MSc degree in a field of natural sciences;
must have proof of evaluation of all foreign qualifications (obtained from non-South African universities) evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) or proof that the applicant has submitted his/her qualifications to SAQA for evaluation;
provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship;
not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship;
provide an official letter from a host South African institution, department or laboratory and motivation from the applicant’s host;
provide English language proficiency certificate;
present a detailed research project that must be registered and approved by the host institution and provide a letter of support from the prospective host supervisor;
be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.