NRF Scholarship at UJ Application for 2026/2027
Detailed guide on NRF Scholarship at UJ Application 2026/2027. Are you a South African student or researcher looking to further your studies at postgraduate level? The NRF Scholarship at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) 2026/2027 is now open for applications, offering financial support to outstanding students who wish to pursue Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral degrees. Funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), this prestigious scholarship aims to develop the next generation of researchers, academics, and innovators who will contribute to South Africa’s knowledge economy and global competitiveness.
The NRF Scholarship at UJ provides funding for students across various fields of study, including science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and technology. It not only eases the financial burden of tuition fees and research expenses but also offers recipients the opportunity to be part of groundbreaking projects, supervised by highly qualified academics at one of South Africa’s leading universities.
Applying for the NRF Scholarship at UJ 2026/2027 gives ambitious postgraduate students the chance to unlock academic excellence, gain research experience, and build a career path in academia, innovation, or industry.
In addition, satrends.co.za offers a wide range of other bursary categories to suit your preference. Click on the links below to access other kinds of bursaries.
Universities in South Africa Bursaries Available for 2026
Government Departments Bursaries Available for 2026
Field of Studies Specified Bursaries Available for 2026
Keep reading to find out more about eligibility requirements, supported study fields, benefits of the scholarship, application guidelines, and closing dates for the NRF Scholarship at UJ.
About National Research Foundation (NRF)
The National Research Foundation (NRF) is an independent statutory body established through the National Research Foundation Act (Act No. 23 of 1998). It serves as a bridge between the South African Government’s research policies and the country’s research institutions.
The NRF funds various scholarship programmes, including those linked to the South African Research Chair in South African Art and Visual Culture, hosted at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
UJ itself is a public university, established in 2005 after a merger of the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR), and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University.
About The NRF Scholarship at UJ Programme 2026/2027
Fields Covered
The NRF invites students to apply for scholarship funding for the 2026 academic year. Scholarships are available for MA and PhD studies in Visual Arts at the University of Johannesburg, under the supervision of Prof. Brenda Schmahmann (SARChI Chair in South African Art and Visual Culture).
Research topics should broadly align with one of these themes:
- Art and Design in the Context of Community Projects
- Gender and Visual Culture
- Public Art, Curation, and the Politics of Representation in the Public Domain
Scholarship Value
The NRF will provide the following funding:
- Master of Arts (MA) Studies:
- Full funding: R162 900 per year for 2 years + a R10 000 study device
- Partial funding: R105 900 per year for 2 years
- PhD Studies:
-
- Full funding: R170 430 per year for 3 years + a R10 000 study device
- Partial funding: R94 430 per year for 3 years
Eligibility Requirements for NRF Scholarship at UJ Application 2026/2027
To apply, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Belong to a designated group (African, Coloured, or Indian).
- Achieve at least 65% in your previous degree.
- Plan to study towards an MA or PhD in Visual Arts at the University of Johannesburg in 2026.
Additional requirements:
- PhD applicants: must be 32 years or younger at the time of application and complete studies within 3 years.
- MA applicants: must be 30 years or younger at the time of application and complete studies within 2 years.
Full funding will be awarded if one of the following applies:
- Your family income is below R350 000 per year, OR
- You achieved at least 75% in your previous degree (or expect to in 2026), OR
- You are living with a disability.
How To Apply for NRF Scholarship at UJ 2026/2027
- Download and complete the relevant application form:
- PhD applicants: NRF Scholarship Application Form 2026 (PhD) (.docx)
- MA applicants: NRF Scholarship Application Form 2026 (Masters) (.docx)
- Submit the following supporting documents:
- Official academic transcript (on your institution’s letterhead)
Email your application to Prof. Brenda Schmahmann at: brendas@uj.ac.za
Use “NRF Scholarship Application 2026” as the subject line
Applicants selected by Prof. Schmahmann will then be invited to complete an online application on the NRF system.
Closing Date for NRF Scholarship at UJ Application 2026/2027
Application Deadline: 27 May
Applications received after this date will not be considered. Submit early to avoid missing the deadline.
Contact Details of National Research Foundation (NRF)
For queries, contact:
Prof. Brenda Schmahmann
SARChI Chair in South African Art and Visual Culture, University of Johannesburg
Email: brendas@uj.ac.za
