DST/NRF Innovation Bursary 2011 for South Africans

August 5, 2010

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The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF) introduced Bursary Scheme for the provision of financial support to students at Honours, Masters and Doctoral study levels.

Job Description: The scheme seeks to address blockages (including low retention and throughput rates) in the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) human capital development. In particular, to increase the base for the supply of Honours graduates eligible for entry into Masters Degrees. The envisaged impact is an increased supply of students for the Doctoral programmes, leading to a significant increase in the number of PhD graduates across all economic sectors, necessary for a robust National System of Innovation (NSI).
2. Objectives
Funding of postgraduate students and the training of researchers is key for addressing the human capital development challenges in South Africa. To address the challenge of human resource renewal in SET the Innovation Bursary Scheme aims to:
· increase student enrolment at Honours’, Masters and Doctoral levels;
· address skills shortages in the fields of Science Engineering and Technology
(SET) by increasing the workforce that has postgraduate degrees in SET;
and
· increase the pool of suitably qualified young, women and black scientists andknowledge workers in the NSI from which academic staff at Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) may be recruited.
3. Fields of study
Support will be provided to students studying in Science, Engineering and Technology study areas aligned with national priorities and the DST’s Grand Challenges. These will include but not limited to biotechnology, cellular and molecular biology, engineering disciplines, computing science, physics and astronomy, mathematical sciences, nanotechnology, chemistry, earth sciences, ecology and medical sciences.
4. Funding eligibility
The bursaries will be awarded to South African citizens and permanent residents studying full-time at South African Universities and Universities of Technology in the following categories:
· Students registered for Honours’, final year of study for a four-year degree, Masters or Doctoral degrees.
· Qualifying students who have received the Innovation bursaries at Honours or Master’s degree level will be given preference to continue with their studies for a higher research degree.
· Students who will be in their final year of study for a four-year degree and have given an undertaking to pursue a Master’s degree upon completion.
· Students who will be completing an Honours degree and have given an undertaking to pursue a Master’s degree upon completion.
5. Value of the bursary
The bursary value will be set at a sufficiently attractive level to provide an incentive to persuade students to pursue postgraduate studies in the light of financial challenges and expectations. The value of the awards will initially be set as follows:.
a. Honours’ students will receive R35 000 for one academic year.
b. Master’s students will be receiving R60 000 per annum for two years. In addition each student may access a once- off allocation of R10 000 for conference attendance or a study visit during the course of the two years.
c. Doctoral students will receive R90 000 per annum for three years. In addition each student may access a maximum of R40 000 for international study visits or conference presentations, and up to R15 000 for local conference attendance within the three-year period. Applications for support are invited from students who wish to enrol for Honours,
Masters and Doctoral studies at public Higher Education Institutions in the IBS study areas for the 2011 academic year