SARAO NRF Postgraduate Scholarship: Empower Your Academic Journey

SARAO NRF Postgraduate Scholarship: Empower Your Academic Journey

SARAO NRF Postgraduate Scholarship 2025: Empower Your Academic Journey

SARAO NRF Postgraduate Scholarship: Empower Your Academic Journey | If you’re seeking financial assistance for postgraduate studies in South Africa, the NRF SARAO Postgraduate Scholarship program is an excellent opportunity. This scholarship provides financial support to ambitious and talented students who wish to pursue specific postgraduate programs, helping them achieve their academic and career goals.

About SARAO

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is a National Research Foundation (NRF) Facility responsible for managing and overseeing all SARAO facilities and initiatives. This includes the renowned MeerKAT Radio Telescope in the Karoo and the Geodesy and VLBI activities at the HartRAO facility.

SARAO also plays a crucial role in coordinating the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (AVN) for eight SKA partner countries in Africa. Moreover, SARAO contributes to South Africa’s infrastructure and engineering planning for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Radio Telescope, a global initiative aiming to revolutionize our understanding of the universe.

SARAO NRF Postgraduate Scholarship

SARAO, in collaboration with the National Research Foundation, offers several postgraduate programs and invites eligible candidates to apply for scholarships for the upcoming academic year. The scholarships currently open for application include:

SARAO Doctoral Scholarship

The SARAO Doctoral Scholarship is designed for students pursuing approved doctoral research projects within SARAO’s technical focus areas. Scholarships are awarded and renewed annually for up to three years.

• Eligibility: Open to citizens and permanent residents of South Africa, as well as citizens of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia.
• Academic Requirements: Applicants must have achieved a minimum of 65% at the Master’s level.
• Research Focus: The scholarship supports postgraduate research aligned with the scientific and technical goals of the MeerKAT and SKA telescopes.
• Age Limit: 32 years or younger.
• Duration: 3 years.
• Scholarship Value: R180,430 per year, plus a travel grant of R36,000/year, a R40,000 equipment grant, and additional benefits like international student fees, repatriation fees, emergency medical insurance, and a home travel grant.

SARAO Master’s Scholarship

The SARAO Master’s Scholarship supports students aiming to pursue research relevant to the SKA and MeerKAT radio telescopes.

• Eligibility: Open to citizens and permanent residents of South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia.
• Academic Requirements: Applicants must have achieved a minimum average of 65% at the honors level or in the final year of a four-year degree.
• Research Focus: Postgraduate research aligned with SARAO’s scientific and technical objectives.
• Age Limit: 30 years or younger.
• Duration: 2 years.
• Scholarship Value: R172,000 per year, plus a R29,000 travel grant and a one-time R27,000 equipment grant. Scholarships are renewable annually.

SARAO Honours Scholarship

The SARAO Honours Scholarship is intended for South African citizens and permanent residents pursuing Honours degrees in relevant fields.

• Eligibility: Only available to South African citizens and permanent residents.
• Academic Requirements: A minimum average of 65% in major subjects during the final year of undergraduate studies.
• Research Focus: Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics and Electronics, Astronomy, Computer Science, or National Astrophysics and Space Science Program.
• Age Limit: 28 years or younger.
• Duration: 1 year.
• Scholarship Value: R154,700, subject to adjustment based on university fee inflation.

How to Apply for the SARAO NRF Postgraduate Scholarship

Eligible candidates can apply online via the NRF submission portal.

Important Steps Before Applying:

• For doctoral and master’s scholarships, applicants must contact a designated supervisor and obtain a letter confirming supervision during the research project.
• Ensure all required documents are compiled into a single PDF before submission.

Required Documents:

• Complete academic transcripts and any other degrees obtained by the date of application.
• Proof of identity (ID for South African citizens, passport for non-residents).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A personal biography.

Closing Date

20 August 2024.
Note: universities each set their own internal closing dates for applications. Please find out from your university what their internal closing date is, and ensure you submit your application by that date.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

Contact Information: For any inquiries regarding the SARAO NRF Postgraduate Scholarship, please email: Mpai.Mphunngoa@up.ac.za.

Please note: No inquiries will be entertained after the closing date. Explore other bursary and scholarship opportunities here.