“Human development involves the processes, on an individual and social level, towards fulfilment, not only of basic needs but of values including freedom, security, achievement and belonging. From early child development to transforming our society, the study of human development puts people at the centre stage of our national concerns. It requires a multi- and interdisciplinary approach, across social, psychological and biological disciplines and practice.”

Apply for a post-graduate bursary 2026

DEADLINE 11 APRIL 2025

The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development facilitates the awarding of bursaries in response to proposals that fall into the thematic areas of the Centre.
The CoE-HUMAN awards bursaries to deserving Master’s and Doctoral students and Post-Doctoral Fellows:  

• Master’s students are funded for two years at R182,836 a year (dependent on Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS))
• Doctoral students are funded for three years at R188 820 a year (dependent on FCS or PCS)
• Post-Doctoral Fellows are funded for two years at R320,000 a year
• Kindly note that Master’s and Doctoral funding applications are for the 2026 intake, while successful Postdoctoral applicants may start in 2025 and receive funding during this period.

Enquiries: Ms. Rebecca Mudau; email: COE.Human@wits.ac.za

Grant holders on PCS or FCS funding may receive supplementary funding from another private-sector source, another South African government source, the NRF supervisor’s running expenses (SARChl, CoEs, etc.) or any other source (e.g. Merit Awards), provided that the total funding received from the NRF, and the other source(s) does not exceed institutional maximum limit for the respective levels of study. The award of bursaries is governed by the Ministerial Guidelines for Improving Equity in the Distribution of DSI-NRF Bursaries and Fellowships (2013).
In terms of these guidelines, bursaries are intended primarily for South African citizens and permanent residents, although a small number of foreign and SADC citizens will be considered. South Africans registered at foreign universities are not eligible.

PLEASE NOTE THE AGE CRITERIA IN THE YEAR OF APPLICATION IS 30 YEARS FOR A MASTER’S DEGREE AND 32 YEARS FOR A DOCTORAL DEGREE.