Applications Open: Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP) for South Africa – Phase 3 | Cohort 3.1 (fully funded honors & masters scholarships)

The Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in South Africa has officially launched applications for Phase 3 | Cohort 3.1 of the Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP)—a prestigious initiative aimed at developing the next generation of academics, researchers, and thought leaders.

This national programme is designed to transform South Africa’s academic landscape by supporting promising young scholars from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to enter academia. The NESP offers a unique blend of funded study opportunities, mentorship, and early academic career development, tailored to equip emerging scholars with the tools and experience to thrive in higher education.

Three Outstanding Opportunities for 2025/26

Honours Scholarships in South Africa

• Number of positions: 10
• Host institutions: Selected public universities across South Africa
• Fields include:
  • Graph Theory
  • Sport Business
  • Applied Language Studies
  • Mineral Processing
  • Haematology
  • History
  • And other diverse disciplines

These scholarships provide a stepping stone for high-potential undergraduates to pursue Honours degrees while beginning their journey toward a future in academia.

Master’s Scholarships in France (International Track)

• Number of positions: 13
• Partnership: With the French Embassy in South Africa
• Program structure:
  • Full funding for a Master’s degree at a French university
  • Return to South Africa to complete a 1-year academic internship at a public university
• Fields include:
  • Electroacoustics
  • Marine Science
  • Bioinformatics
  • Nanomedicine
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • And more cutting-edge disciplines

This prestigious international track offers selected scholars not only advanced qualifications but also global exposure, intercultural experience, and academic networking opportunities across continents.

More on the France Track: https://bit.ly/NESP_FRANCE

National Master’s Scholarships in South Africa

• Number of positions: 63
• Participating institutions: 24 public universities nationwide
• Fields of study:
  • Accounting
  • Physics
  • Robotics
  • Epidemiology
  • Agronomy
  • Sociology
  • Food Technology
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Education Policy
  • Environmental Science
  • And many others

This track supports Master’s-level study at South African universities and is ideal for students with a passion for locally grounded research and a strong desire to give back to the academic sector.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 7 November 2025
• Programme Start Date: 2027 Academic Year (following selection, placement, and preparatory activities)

Eligibility Criteria (General Overview)

• Applicants must be South African citizens.
• Strong academic track record (typically a minimum of 65% average).
• Passion for research, academic development, and a future academic career.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and transformation in higher education.
• Candidates from historically disadvantaged backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

Note: Specific eligibility requirements may vary by scholarship type and host institution. Please refer to the official call for full details.

Application & Contact Details

• Apply now: https://lnkd.in/dEghU3Tz
• Email for queries: [email protected]

Ensure all documents and application forms are submitted well before the deadline of 7 November 2025 (11:59 PM SAST).

Why NESP?

The Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme isn’t just a scholarship—it’s a national strategy to grow a representative, transformed, and excellent cohort of South African academics. By supporting young scholars at the Honours and Master’s levels, and providing structured academic development and mentoring, NESP is helping to:

• Increase the number of academics from underrepresented backgrounds
• Build capacity in strategic and scarce-skill areas
• Address inequalities in access to academic careers
• Lay the groundwork for sustainable transformation in higher education

Spread the Word

Whether you’re a prospective applicant, current student, academic advisor, or someone passionate about advancing equitable access to higher education—now is the time to share this opportunity widely.

Let’s invest in the next generation of South African scholars and collectively build a more inclusive, innovative, and locally-rooted academic future.

Applicants interested in the France track should pay special attention to language requirements, programme timelines, and host university expectations.

Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dEghU3Tz
Full programme info visit here

Together, we can shape a transformed higher education system by supporting tomorrow’s academic leaders—today.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hosting organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding