DHET Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP) 2026 for Young South Africans (Fully Funded Master’s in France and South Africa)

DHET Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP) 2026 for Young South Africans (Fully Funded Master’s in France and South Africa)

Application Deadline: November 7, 2025

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) invites applications for Phase 2 of the Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP) — a transformative three-year initiative designed to develop the next generation of academics and researchers in South Africa.

The NESP aims to strengthen teaching and research capacity in public universities while offering outstanding young South Africans a structured academic pathway that combines advanced studies with professional development.

Programme Overview

The NESP comprises a two-year fully funded master’s degree followed by a one-year academic internship at a South African university. Scholars will be supported through scholarships, mentorship, and exposure to both national and international academic environments.

Three key opportunities are available under the 2026 NESP phase:

Opportunity 1: Honours Programme (10 Positions)

This stream offers 10 NESP positions supporting Honours study at South African public universities, followed by a two-year master’s scholarship and a one-year internship at the host institution.

Eligibility:

• Completed Level 7 qualification (bachelor’s degree) with a minimum average of 65%.

• Commitment to pursue postgraduate study and an academic career.

Duration: Four years — one-year Honours, two-year Master’s, one-year internship.

Study Areas and Host Universities:

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Sports Business and Technology

• Rhodes University: Linguistics and Applied Language Studies

• Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Mathematics (Graph Theory)

• Tshwane University of Technology: Building Science, Performing Arts

• University of the Free State: Haematology

• University of KwaZulu-Natal: Applied Mathematics, Mathematics

• Vaal University of Technology: Metallurgical Engineering / Mineral Processing

• University of Venda: History

Successful applicants will begin their studies in early 2027.

Opportunity 2: Master’s in France (13 Positions)

In partnership with the French Embassy in South Africa, this opportunity offers 13 fully funded positions for master’s study at public universities in France.

Scholars will complete a two-year master’s degree in France, followed by a one-year academic internship at a South African university.

Eligibility:

• Completed Level 8 qualification (Honours degree or equivalent) with a minimum average of 65%.

• Admission to a public university in France (provisional NESP award pending acceptance).

How to Apply:
Applicants should apply to French universities offering programs in their fields of interest via the following link: https://bit.ly/NESP_FRANCE.
Applying to multiple universities is encouraged to increase chances of acceptance.

Fields of Study and Host Universities:

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Mechatronics, Marine Science (Physical Oceanography), Nautical Science, Technology & Robotics

• Central University of Technology: Physics

• Durban University of Technology: Chemical Engineering (Green Energy)

• Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Nanomedicine, Biostatistics

• Tshwane University of Technology: Management Science (Food & Beverage Management), Nursing

• University of Limpopo: Bioinformatics

• Vaal University of Technology: Industrial and Mechanical Engineering

Opportunity 3: Master’s in South Africa (63 Positions)

This stream provides 63 scholarships for master’s study at South African public universities, followed by a one-year academic internship.

Eligibility:

• Completed Level 7 (Bachelor’s) or Level 8 (Honours) qualification with a minimum of 65% average.

Host Universities and Fields Include:

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Electronic Communication & Satellite Technology, Emergency Medical Aid

• Central University of Technology: Agrometeorology, Animal & Pasture Science

• Nelson Mandela University: Artificial Intelligence, Mechatronics, Criminal Justice, Biomedical Engineering

• Durban University of Technology: Accounting, Video Technology, Chemical Thermodynamics

• Mangosuthu University of Technology: Environmental Health, Analytical Chemistry, Mathematics

• Rhodes University: Economics & Finance

• North-West University: Physics (Renewable Energy), English

• Sol Plaatje University: Creative Writing, Archaeology, Retail Business Management

• University of Cape Town: Palliative Care

• University of KwaZulu-Natal: Water Resource Engineering, Climate Medicine

• University of Pretoria: Civil Engineering, Pharmacology, Veterinary Sciences

• University of the Western Cape: Data Science, Gender Studies

• Walter Sisulu University: Medical Physics, Space Science, Civil Engineering (Transport)*
  …and many more across South Africa’s public universities.

Key Benefits

• Fully funded tuition, living allowance, and research costs.

• Academic mentorship and internship placement.

• International exposure through collaboration with top French institutions.

• A structured career path into academia and research in South Africa.

Application Details

• Deadline: November 7, 2025

• Start Date: January 2027 (academic year)

• How to Apply: Visit the Official Webpage of the DHET Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme for detailed guidelines and online application links.