DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Cohort 2 2026: Stipend, Eligibility

DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Cohort 2 2026 Apply Online

Facts checked: against the official notice at nrf.ac.za on 13 November 2026.

Quick Summary

Applications for the DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 close on 17 November 2026. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and National Research Foundation (DSTI-NRF) offers these 24-month placements for early- and mid-career researchers with a recent doctorate who are affiliated to South African research institutions. Read the full call on the official fellowship page.

DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 2026: Overview

The DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 places doctoral researchers in science-policy settings for 24-month placements, as per the official notification.

The call is issued jointly by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Research Foundation (NRF). It is aimed at early- and mid-career researchers who can combine research training with policy work. Funding is structured as an annual award and there is a single applicant deadline, both summarised in the tables below.

What Cohort 2 is for

• Policy placement alongside training, policy engagement and travel commitments stated in the call
• Affiliation must be with an NRF-recognised research institution in South Africa before taking up the grant
• Applications are submitted online only through the Google Form link given in Important Links

DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 2026 Fellowship Benefits

Cohort 2 provides a funded fellowship paid as an annual award for the full placement period shown in the table below.

As per the official notification, the annual award is R240,000 to R320,000. The table sets out how that amount relates to the maximum placement period. Use it to plan affiliation and availability, since the employer confirmation must cover the whole commitment including training and travel.

How to read the amount

• The figure is an annual award, not a once-off payment
• The placement can run up to the maximum period listed alongside the award
• No separate fee, age or vacancy break-up is given for this fellowship

DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Only researchers who meet the doctorate, citizenship and affiliation conditions can be considered.

• Early- and mid-career individuals who obtained doctoral degree within past 10 years
• South African citizens or permanent residents; in exceptional well-justified cases non-South African applicants may be considered subject to limit of no more than 10% of all Fellowship recipients
• Registered or employed on permanent or fixed-term basis at NRF-recognised research institution, or able to secure such affiliation before taking up grant; eligible institutions include public universities, science councils, museums and national facilities in South Africa

The doctorate must have been obtained within the past 10 years, which defines the early- and mid-career window for this call. Applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents and be registered or employed on a permanent or fixed-term basis at an NRF-recognised research institution, or be able to secure such affiliation before taking up the grant.

Who this excludes in practice

• Indian citizens and other non-South Africans cannot apply through the main route; in exceptional well-justified cases non-South African applicants may be considered subject to a limit of no more than 10% of all Fellowship recipients
• Researchers without an eligible affiliation cannot take up the grant until that affiliation is secured
• Eligible institutions named in the call include public universities, science councils, museums and national facilities in South Africa

Indian students with a recent doctorate are therefore eligible only if they fall under the exceptional non-South African provision and hold or can secure the required South African institutional affiliation.

DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 2026 Important Dates and Deadline

There is a single closing date for all Cohort 2 applications.

The table below lists that deadline as given on the official website. It applies to every applicant submitting through the online form, with no separate window mentioned for fees, corrections or examinations. Refer to the official notification for the closing time and any updates to the schedule.

How to Apply for DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 2026

Applications are made online from the NRF fellowship page through to a Google Form.

What the application form on nrf.ac.za asks for

• Fields (* = required): s; Name *; Email Address *
• Limit: , and attach the required supporting documents in PDF format

Start at the official fellowship page to read the Cohort 2 information, then use the Apply Online link to open the form. A checklist of the form fields and PDF uploads is inserted below by code — match it exactly before you press submit.

1. Open the official fellowship page and read the Cohort 2 placement details.
2. Click the Apply Online / Application Form link to open the Google Form.
3. Enter Name exactly as on your ID or passport copy.
4. Enter Email Address that you check regularly for host-institution contact.
5. Complete the remaining form fields shown in the checklist.
6. Attach the supporting documents in PDF format as requested in the form.
7. Review the entries against your ID, doctoral proof and employer letter.
8. Submit the form and save the confirmation shown by Google Forms.

DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 2026 Documents Required

Three types of proof are required to show identity, qualification and availability for the placement.

• ID / Passport copy
• Proof of doctoral qualification
• For currently employed applicants, written confirmation from employer/institution supporting participation and availability for placement, training, policy engagement and travel commitments

The ID or passport copy establishes citizenship or residence status. Proof of doctoral qualification must show that the degree was awarded within the eligibility window. For applicants who are currently employed, the written confirmation from the employer or institution must expressly support participation and confirm availability for placement, training, policy engagement and travel commitments.

Points that cause rejections

• Uploads must be in PDF format as asked in the form; other formats are not described as acceptable
• Employed applicants without the supporting letter are incomplete, even if the doctorate proof is attached
• Unaffiliated applicants should secure NRF-recognised affiliation before taking up the grant, otherwise the award cannot be taken up

DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 2026 Selection Process

Selection is by competitive merit review of eligible and complete applications.

1. Competitive merit review of eligible and complete applications, which may include interviews with potential host institutions

As per the official notification, only applications that meet the eligibility conditions and include the required documents move to review. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to attend interviews with potential host institutions, which means the final placement depends on both merit and host fit.

What this means for applicants

• Incomplete forms or missing PDFs are not reviewed on merit
• No examination or cut-off marks are part of this process as far as the sources state
• Keep the email address given in the form active, as host-institution interview invites would come after the closing date

DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 2026 Important Links

Use only the links given in the official call to read the notice and submit the form.

The table below reproduces the Apply Online application form link and the official information page. The Google Form is the sole application mode stated in the sources. If either link does not open, refer to the official notification via the NRF fellowship portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Cohort 2 2026?

The last date to submit the application is 17 November 2026.

Who is eligible to apply for the DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme Cohort 2?

Applicants must be early- or mid-career individuals who obtained a doctorate in the past 10 years and are South African citizens or permanent residents, with limited exception for non-South Africans. They must be affiliated to an NRF-recognised institution like a public university, science council, museum or national facility, or secure affiliation before taking up the grant.

What is the fellowship amount under DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Cohort 2?

Selected fellows will receive an annual award ranging from R240,000 to R320,000. The support is available for a maximum period of 24 months.

How can I apply for the DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Cohort 2?

Eligible candidates must submit their applications online via the Google Form link provided in the official notification.

How are candidates selected for the DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship?

Selection is done through competitive merit review of eligible and complete applications. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews with potential host institutions.

What documents are required to apply for the DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship?

Applicants must upload a copy of their ID or passport along with proof of their doctoral qualification. Candidates who are currently employed must also enclose written confirmation from their employer or institution supporting their participation and availability for placement, training, engagement and travel.