The TWAS-NRF 2024  Doctoral Fellowship

Do you want to know more about applying for the TWAS-NRF 2024 Doctoral Fellowship that is currently being offered? This article will provide information on the specifics of the award the eligibility criteria, and the method of application.

2022 TWAS NRF Doctoral Fellowships are available for international students who would like to pursue the pursuit of a Ph.D.as as well as a Doctoral research program at NRF, South Africa from 2021 to 2024. The program will award an average monthly allowance which is intended to cover the cost of living, such as accommodation, food, and other expenses, and health insurance.

The country of South Africa, the National Research Foundation (NRF), and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) collaborate (with TWAS) (The World Academy of Sciences to promote the advancement of science in the developing world to advance the advancement of science in developing nations by offering the TWAS and NRF Doctoral Fellowships. These TWAS/NRF Doctoral Fellowships are offered at research institutes within South Africa for a maximum period of 3 years. The fellowships are awarded to researchers from countries in the developing world (other than South Africa) to enable them to pursue Ph.D. research in the area of the sciences.

The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in countries in need is a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable growth through the advancement of research, education policy diplomacy, policy, and diplomacy. TWAS is a worldwide science academy with its headquarters in Trieste, Italy.TWAS was founded in 1983 by renowned scientists from developing nations under the direction of Abdus Salam, a Pakistani scientist as well as a Nobel laureate. They believed that the countries of emerging economies, through strengthening their capabilities in the fields of science and engineering are able to acquire the capabilities and know-how to address challenges like hunger or illness and poverty. Since its inception, the Academy was supported by Italian researchers and political leaders.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: PhD
• Institution(s): National Research Foundation
• Learn inSouth Africa
• The Program Time: Three years
• Deadline: July 08, 2024

Courses Offered

• Agricultural Sciences
• Structural, Cell, and Molecular Biology
• Biological Systems and Organisms
• Medical and Health Sciences incl.
• Neurosciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Engineering Sciences
• Astronomy, Space, and Earth Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics

Scholarship Coverage

2022 TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowships give the successful applicant these advantages:

• Partial Cost of Study (PCS) The funds is only able to cover the tuition (R30 000 annually)
• Costs of accommodation up to the maximum of R101 each year for each student.
• NRF will pay for the cheapest return economy flight, as also the cost of a visa or study permit for TWAS-NRF doctoral recipients.

The TWAS-NRF 2024 Doctoral Fellowship Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the TWAS-NRF 2024 Doctoral Fellowships the applicant must meet the criteria as outlined in the following sections:

• Required Language: English.
• The countries that qualify for the program are all nations in the world (non-EU).
• It is not possible to live, study in employment or enrolled, or work in South Africa in 2024;
• applicants who have previously worked or earned the pursuit of academic qualification or an academic study in South Africa, and have returned to their country of origin, but they’ve resided in their home country for more than (2) years are not qualified to apply.
• An MSc diploma in science and natural phenomena is an additional benefit.
• You must have achieved the average rate of 65 percent for your master’s degree to be eligible to receive funding for doctoral studies.
• You have to enroll in a South African public university in 2024 on a continuous basis and be located at the university you prefer. South African public research institutions consist of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Science Councils, and National Research Facilities;
• You must be at least 32 years of age on the 31st of December the year you apply.
• The applicant has to provide proof that the qualification has been assessed by SAQA. foreign degree (obtained by universities in countries other than South Africa) assessed through SAQA. South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) or proof of the submission of his or her qualifications to SAQA for evaluation. If applicants fail to submit providing proof, it could be an issue that causes applicants to have their applications rejected.
• The applicant must adhere to the visa requirements as and immigration rules of the country from which the applicant originates, and South Africa. The applicant has to apply for their own Visa or study permit via the study program offered in South Africa. It is the responsibility of both NRF and TWAS is responsible for help arrange visas. The difference is that NRF is responsible for paying the lowest cost of return economy flights along with the cost of a visa or study permit for doctoral students who are applicants for NRF-TWAS.
• They are required to return to their country of origin when they’ve finished their education. Students who fail to return to their home country are responsible to repay their NRF according to the amount they received for their studies.
• Sciences, Engineering, and Technology programs are provided to candidates who meet the requirements. This is because they are supported through the NRF TWAS Ph.D. funding:
• Do not accept any other assignments during the duration of the fellowship.
• You must submit valid proof of your intention to study, and/or an acknowledgment letter issued by the host institution South African institution, department, or laboratory.
• The student must make contact with the institution of his choice for acceptance and to identify an advisor for their doctoral research
• to provide the applicant with an English document proving proficiency to submit an English certification of proficiency English (if it is available at the time of submitting an application). If the applicant does not provide this in the application, it must be provided prior to the date when NRF funds are disbursed for the applicant. The student must satisfy the criteria of the Academic English Language Proficiency test, IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) or take the TOEFL (paper) 575 (TWE 4.5) or TOEFL EBIT (min. 20) and Cambridge at a minimum 58. The details on the IELTS tests are available via the British Council in the applicant’s country of residence or on www.ielts.org. More details about the TOEFL test can be found on www.toefl.com. Candidates may consult their local British Council in their home country for assistance.
• Completely submit a research proposal that is accepted and approved by the institution that hosts the proposal. Send a letter of support from the director of the host institution that is in question.
• You must have a transcript of your academic studies that is authentic with the official letterhead issued by the institution;
• Financially responsible for family members who live within the same household.

How to Apply for TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship

Follow the directions for submitting an application for the TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowships:

Stage 1:

The application will be considered by South African Institutions

Candidates should contact institutions on the continent of South Africa or potential supervisors in order to be included in the program to supervise the doctoral students.

• Candidates are required to submit an official letter from the hosts’ South African institution, department, or laboratory along with a motivation letter from the department or the institution that houses the applicant. It is the responsibility of the applicant to reach the institution of interest to submit the application to be admitted. In addition, it is the duty of the student to identify an academic supervisor.
• The research proposal must be registered and approved by the institution that hosts the research (a letter of support from the supervisor of the prospective supervisor needs to be included in an application).
• Universities will set their own cut-off times for applicants. Applicants should adhere to these deadlines.

Application to assess foreign qualifications that are offered to students by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

Candidates must possess all the qualifications in the world (obtained through universities located outside South Africa) assessed at SAQA. South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). The evidence the applicants submitted credentials for assessment by SAQA must be submitted on the application form otherwise the application will be rejected.

Candidates are encouraged to start the process as soon as they can so that they have enough time to complete it. For more information, visit the SAQA website, and visit Service the section called Assessment of foreign Qualifications for General Information. Candidates must adhere to all guidelines and provide all pertinent documents to ensure there are no delays or refusals of applications. It is recommended that applicants submit all required documents for the application prior to sending them to SAQA directly.

Stage 2:

Submitting your application

Applicants must apply for the NRF – TWAS Doctoral Fellowship for 2024 by accessing the link: https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/ on the NRF Online application system

After you have logged in, please follow the instructions within the steps-to-follow “Application and Funding Guide for 2024 academic year”. The guide is available for browsing or download at the bottom of the page.

You must submit your application after the application’s completion.

The deadline for submitting applications is the 8th of July 2024. But, the universities will establish their own internal cut-off time for applications. Candidates must stick to these deadlines.

Applications are not accepted after the deadline. It is therefore recommended for you to send your applications as quickly as you are able.

• The application call will provide information about the program, and eligibility requirements, as along with the documents required and certificates, and an online application form is available when the call opens. Candidates are advised that they will be required to complete their applications using the application portal online. NRF and TWAS will not accept applications submitted via any other means that are not our web-based application system.
• Applications that aren’t complete will not be considered or applications that don’t meet the eligibility criteria.
• Contact the postgraduate office or the research office for questions about the institutional process and deadlines.