NRF Mobility Grants and DAAD-SA Scholarships for South African Students 2026
The honest guide to NRF and DAAD South Africa funding for SA students and researchers. What each programme actually covers, who qualifies, and how to apply.
The short answer: NRF mobility support is primarily for postgraduate researchers, not undergraduate interns. DAAD-SA runs credible scholarships for Honours through PhD students for Germany placements, paying EUR 800-1,200 per month. For most SA undergraduates, Erasmus+ ICM and Turing Scheme remain the most accessible funded routes for European internships. This guide covers what NRF and DAAD actually offer and who realistically qualifies.
The National Research Foundation (NRF)
What the NRF is and does
The NRF (nrf.ac.za) is South Africa's primary government agency for supporting and promoting research through funding, human capital development, and provision of national research infrastructure. It reports to the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI). Unlike NSFAS (which funds undergraduate tuition and living costs), NRF primarily targets postgraduate researchers and early-career academics.
NRF Scarce Skills Development Fund
The NRF Scarce Skills Development Fund (SSDF) provides bursaries for students studying in fields designated as scarce skills in South Africa: engineering, mathematics, physics, biotechnology, information and communication technology, and natural resource management among others. Most bursaries are for South African study, but the SSDF has provisions for international short-term placements as part of a postgraduate programme.
Who qualifies: South African students enrolled at a South African university in a postgraduate programme (Honours, Master's, PhD) in a scarce skills field. The international mobility component is typically approved for research visits of 1 to 6 months, usually requiring supervisor endorsement and host institution confirmation.
Amounts (as of 2025; verify at nrf.ac.za):
- Honours: R 80,000-100,000 per year (primarily for South African study)
- Master's: R 120,000-150,000 per year
- PhD: R 150,000-200,000 per year
- Short-term international visit supplement: negotiated, typically R 15,000-40,000 for 1-3 months abroad
NRF Free-Standing and Rated Researcher Grants
NRF-rated researchers (those who have passed the NRF peer review process and hold an A, B, C, or Y rating) have access to funding that can support international collaboration, including short-term visits to partner institutions. This is relevant for academics rather than students, but it matters if your supervisor is NRF-rated because their grant can sometimes fund a student's international research visit as part of a joint project.
The Frank Robb Scholarship and Travel Grants
The NRF administers a number of specific awards that include international travel components. Check the NRF Integrated Scholarships Administration System (iThemba Labs grants portal and the main NRF portal) for the current list of awards open for application. Many have narrow eligibility windows and close with limited notice.
DAAD South Africa: Germany-Focused Research Funding
DAAD's presence in South Africa
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst / German Academic Exchange Service) has an office in Pretoria that specifically manages programmes for South African academics, researchers, and students. DAAD is one of the most significant funders of South African research capacity, particularly in STEM fields where German-SA academic links are strong: materials science, engineering, environmental science, agricultural science, and biotechnology.
Key DAAD programmes for SA students
DAAD Research Grants for Postdoctoral Researchers and Academics
Designed for South African academics with a PhD. Provides a monthly stipend of approximately EUR 1,200 (R 23,000 at current exchange rates) for 1 to 6 month research visits to German universities or research institutions (Fraunhofer, Helmholtz, Max Planck, Leibniz). Covers economy class flights and health insurance. Application deadlines: typically November for the following year's placements.
DAAD Scholarship for Doctoral Degrees in Germany
Full doctoral scholarships for South African students to complete a PhD in Germany. Monthly stipend: EUR 1,200 for 36-48 months. Includes health insurance, family allowance if applicable, and study research allowance. This is one of DAAD's most competitive programmes globally. Acceptance rate is below 5% for South African applicants in most fields.
DAAD In-Country/In-Region (ICIR) Africa Programme
Supports postgraduate study (Master's and PhD) at African universities, including South African universities hosting the programmes. This is sometimes less well-known but directly relevant for South African students who want to remain in the region while accessing DAAD support for regional research internships or collaborative fieldwork.
DAAD Study Scholarships for Master's Degrees in Germany
Monthly stipend EUR 850 for the duration of the programme (12-24 months). Covers flights and health insurance. Requires a Bachelor's degree with strong academic record. Applications in October-November for programmes starting the following autumn.
NRF vs DAAD-SA vs Erasmus+ ICM: which fits you?
| Factor | NRF (mobility component) | DAAD-SA | Erasmus+ ICM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Postgraduate (Honours, Master's, PhD) | Honours and above; best for PhD/postdoc | Undergrad, Master's, PhD |
| Destination | Global (supervisor-dependent) | Germany | 27 EU countries |
| Monthly support | R 15,000-40,000 supplement | EUR 850-1,200 (~R16,000-23,000) | EUR 700-850 (~R13,000-16,000) |
| Duration | 1-6 months | 1-48 months | 2-12 months |
| For interns (corporate) | Not typically | Not primarily | Yes, explicitly |
| Competitiveness | High | Very high | Medium (via university) |
Practical routes for South African undergraduate students
If you are an undergraduate student looking for funded international internship placements, the most practical routes in 2026 are:
- Erasmus+ ICM: Check if your university has an ICM agreement with a European university that includes internship (traineeship) mobility. EUR 700-850 per month. See our full guide.
- DHET Bursaries and University Mobility Grants: Some universities have outgoing mobility budgets. Ask your International Office about "outgoing student grants" explicitly.
- Working Holiday Visa in Germany: The South Africa-Germany Working Holiday Agreement allows 18-30 year olds to work in Germany for up to 12 months. You can combine a Working Holiday Visa with an internship at a German company, supplementing your income with part-time work.
- Direct employer stipend: Many German companies in sectors like engineering, automotive (Bosch, BMW, Continental), and chemical (BASF, Bayer) pay EUR 800-1,200 per month for structured internships and are experienced in sponsoring non-EU students.
Find funded internship placements matched to your profile
Create a free account and we will flag which funded routes fit your level, university, and target destination.
Join free