NESP Scholarship 2027, Requirements & Application

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

The Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP) is the Department of Higher Education and Training’s pipeline for the next generation of university lecturers. It funds an honours or Master’s degree at a public university in South Africa or France, then places the graduate in a paid one-year academic internship at a South African university. Rhodes University implements the programme on DHET’s behalf under the University Capacity Development Programme.

About the NESP Scholarship

NESP scholarships are linked to specific disciplines at specific universities, chosen to fill academic staffing gaps. The last call offered three streams:

• Honours scholarships: 10 positions at selected universities, in fields such as graph theory, sport business, applied language studies, mineral processing, haematology and history, leading into a funded Master’s.
• Master’s scholarships in South Africa: 63 positions across 24 public universities, in fields from accounting, physics and robotics to epidemiology, agronomy, sociology, food technology, artificial intelligence and education policy.
• Master’s scholarships in France: 13 positions with the French Embassy, in fields such as electroacoustics, marine science, bioinformatics, nanomedicine, mechanical engineering and AI.

Each scholarship covers registration and study costs for the full degree, mentorship, teaching and research development, international mobility support and a one-year academic internship at a South African university after graduation.

NESP eligibility requirements

• South African citizen.
• Not older than 35.
• At least 65% overall for the NQF level 7 qualification (for honours or Master’s applicants) or level 8 qualification (for Master’s applicants).
• Able to study full-time in one of the listed disciplines at the listed university from the start of the cohort year.
• A genuine interest in an academic career. Candidates from historically disadvantaged backgrounds are especially encouraged.

How to apply for the NESP Scholarship

1. Read the call and the list of disciplines and universities on the Rhodes University NESP portal at ru.ac.za/dhetnespapplication.
2. Complete the online application for one position, uploading certified copies of your ID, Matric certificate, academic transcripts, degree certificates and proof of registration if applicable.
3. Add a CV of no more than two pages, a motivation letter of no more than 30 lines and two academic references.
4. Submit before the closing date. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the host university and DHET.

NESP Scholarship closing date

The 2027 cohort closed on 7 November 2025. Expect the 2028 cohort call to close in early November 2026.

Contact details

• Application portal: ru.ac.za/dhetnespapplication
• Programme information: ssauf.dhet.gov.za/nesp
• DHET switchboard: 012 312 5911

Aspiring academics should also apply to the DSI-NRF postgraduate scholarship and see our postgraduate bursaries list.

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