The NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship is part of the DAAD’s broader In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme, specifically tailored to support South African Master’s and PhD candidates. The scholarship is co-administered by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and is available to full-time postgraduate students at any recognized South African university.
This fully funded graduate scholarship in South Africa not only covers tuition and living expenses but also provides unique research collaboration opportunities between South African universities and leading German research institutions. Applicants who wish to enrich their doctoral or Master’s research with a DAAD-funded short-term research stay in Germany can apply for additional funding under this programme.
2. Eligibility Criteria for NRF-DAAD Graduate Funding
To qualify for the NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Citizenship/Residency: Must be a South African citizen or hold permanent South African residency.
Age Limit:
- Master’s applicants: 30 years or younger in the year of application.
- PhD applicants: 32 years or younger in the year of application.
Academic Performance: Minimum NRF-required academic average of 65% (or equivalent) in prior degree coursework.
Enrollment: Must be registered as a full-time Master’s or PhD student at any accredited South African university.
Research Project: Scholarship holders should plan to incorporate any research conducted in Germany into their South African degree project, maintaining at least 4 months of study time after returning.
By fulfilling these eligibility criteria, you gain access to a comprehensive funding package and enhanced networking opportunities with both the NRF and DAAD.
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Key Benefits of the NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship
Recipients of the NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship enjoy a range of financial and academic benefits, including:
- Full Tuition Funding: Coverage of all tuition fees for the Master’s or PhD programme at a South African university.
- Monthly Stipend: Competitive NRF stipend for living expenses throughout the duration of your degree.
- Short-Term Research Funding: Eligibility for a DAAD-funded 3–6 month research stay in Germany, which includes:
- Living allowance (€992/month for Master’s students; €1,300/month for PhD students)
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
- Lump-sum travel reimbursement for round-trip airfare
Interdisciplinary Summer School Grants: Opportunity to apply for one of five DAAD-sponsored interdisciplinary summer schools in Germany, covering program fees, accommodation, and travel costs.
Networking & Capacity Building: Access to NRF and DAAD research networks, workshops, and seminars—both in South Africa and Germany—enhancing your academic collaboration and career prospects.
These benefits position the NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship 2025 as a top choice for postgraduate funding in South Africa and for leveraging German-South African research partnerships.
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Short-Term Research Scholarship in Germany
One of the most attractive features of the NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship is the chance to undertake a short-term research stay in Germany. This option is ideal for deepening technical expertise, accessing specialized laboratories, and building international research collaborations.
Funding Duration & Timing
- Duration: 3 to 6 months.
- Application Window: Submit your DAAD Portals application at least 4 months before your intended departure date.
- Degree Timing: Ensure at least 4 months remain before your degree completion to integrate findings from your German research into your South African thesis or dissertation.
Financial Support & Insurance Coverage
- Monthly Living Allowance:
- Master’s students: €992 per month
- PhD candidates: €1,300 per month
- Insurance: Comprehensive health, accident, and personal liability coverage throughout your stay in Germany.
- Travel Reimbursement: Lump-sum payment for airfare to Germany.
These funds enable you to focus on world-class research at German institutions such as Max Planck Institutes, Fraunhofer Centers, or top universities like Heidelberg or Tübingen.
Integrating German Research into South African Projects
Upon returning to South Africa, scholarship holders must leverage their German research outcomes—whether experimental data, pilot studies, or collaborative publications—directly into their ongoing South African degree project. This ensures your DAAD-funded German research seamlessly enhances your South African Master’s or PhD thesis.
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Interdisciplinary Summer Schools in Germany
In addition to short-term research stays, NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship holders can apply to attend one of the following fully funded interdisciplinary summer schools in Germany. Each program provides 3–4 weeks of immersive training with leading global experts:
- Heidelberg University – Global Health Teaching & Research
- Dates: 28 July – 22 August 2025
- Focus: Enhancing academic qualifications in teaching and research for global public health leadership.
- TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences) – Coping with Climate Extremes
- Dates: 30 August – 21 September 2025
- Focus: Sustainable strategies and climate resilience for infrastructure, agriculture, and community adaptation.
- Leipzig University – Green IDEAS Summer School
- Dates: 20 August – 9 September 2025
- Focus: Innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development for green technology start-ups.
- Osnabrück University – GeoTraining 2025
- Dates: 7 September – 29 September 2025
- Focus: Environmental and remote sensing data analysis using geospatial technologies.
Each summer school covers:
- Accommodation & local transport in Germany
- Course fees and workshop materials
- Round-trip travel from South Africa to Germany
- Daily living stipend
Attending a DAAD interdisciplinary summer program bolsters your global academic network and enhances your credentials in areas such as climate adaptation, digital agriculture, and environmental remote sensing.
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How to Apply for the NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship
Follow these steps to submit a successful NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship application:
- Confirm Basic Eligibility
- Obtain or verify South African citizenship or permanent residency.
- Ensure you meet the age limits (≤30 for Master’s, ≤32 for PhD).
- Confirm your NRF academic average (≥65%).
- Enroll as a Full-Time Postgraduate Student
- Register for a full-time Master’s or PhD programme at a recognized South African university before applying.
- Prepare Required Documents
- Certified academic transcripts (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees).
- Proof of South African citizenship or permanent residency.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting research experience and publications.
- Research proposal or study plan overview (if required by your university).
- Submit NRF Application
- Complete the NRF’s online application portal for postgraduate funding—select “NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship” as your funding scheme.
- Upload all required documentation before the NRF’s internal application deadline.
- Apply for DAAD Short-Term Research Scholarship (Optional)
- If planning a research stay in Germany, submit your DAAD short-term research application via the DAAD Portal at least four months before departure.
- Provide a detailed research proposal in collaboration with your South African supervisor.
- Apply for DAAD Interdisciplinary Summer Schools (Optional)
- Log in to the DAAD Portal and submit an application for one of the listed summer schools in Germany.
- Provide transcripts, motivation letter, and proof of NRF-DAAD scholarship (if required).
- Await Selection Results
- NRF will notify successful In-Country Scholarship holders according to its academic calendar.
- Short-term research and summer school selections are announced by DAAD separately.
- Plan Your Research Stay or Summer School
- Coordinate with your South African supervisor to integrate German research activities into your South African Master’s or PhD thesis.
- Arrange travel, visa, and insurance through DAAD and NRF support channels.
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