How to Apply for Thuthuka Funding

Apply for funding

• Find the Thuthuka call for proposals on the main NRF website. The call is posted annually, usually between March and May, and left open for a limited amount of time. Note that no application received outside the time period specified as the window for project submission will be considered for funding.
• An accompanying guideline document will asist applicants with completion and submission of applications. Note that application is done electronically and as such will require registering as a user on the NRF Online System. This may be done at any time, even in the absence of a call, by following this NRF Online site.
• All applications must be approved by the submitting institution. Applicants will be invited to apply for funding in one of three tracks:
  • PhD Track: for applicants, wanting to obtain a PhD within the funding period;
  • Post-PhD Track: for applicants wanting to become established researchers, strengthening their research capabilities; and
  • NRF Rating Track: for applicants wanting to obtain a NRF rating within the six-year funding period.

Qualify

General Criteria:

Applicants:

• Must be South African citizens;
• Are not allowed to participate in more than one track simultaneously;
• Cannot hold multiple (other) NRF grants; and
• Cannot re-apply for funding within a track where they have received funding before

PhD track:

The applicant must:

• Hold a master’s degree in the natural sciences, social sciences, economic sciences or humanities;
• Be a South African citizen;
• Provide proof of a commitment from the institution in which the institution pledges to allow for time off for research leave - relieve of teaching duties to conduct fieldwork/research; and
• Submit an endorsement from a nominated supervisor supporting the proposed doctoral work to be undertaken.

Post PhD track:

The applicant must:

• Have obtained the PhD not earlier than five years prior to the date of application;
• Support researchers from designated groups in their pursuit to attain a formal post graduate qualifications or a NRF rating;
• Improve the research capacity of individual researchers from designated groups;
• Foster a culture of research excellence and to aid in the development and expansion of the national knowledge-based economy by boosting research outputs and human capital development; and
• Effect a transformation in the demographic composition of the established researcher community with respect to gender, race and persons with disabilities.