Research development

Local Masters Scholarships

The local Masters scholarships provide an opportunity for full-time Masters studies in any field in the health sciences

Who Qualifies for funding

• South African citizens or permanent residents
• Applicants from any discipline in the health sciences
• Applicants that have obtained an honours (Hons) degree or a 4 year degree with a minimum pass of 60%
• Students registering for a full-time masters degree with at least a 50% research component
• Preference is given to applicants that will undertake research training with a supervisor that is an MRC funded researcher
• Applications are considered if the supervisor is not an MRC funded researcher in the following instances:
• The student will be studying at an historically disadvantaged institution
• The student is an allied health professional or nurse

Period of Funding
Approval is for 1 calendar year at a time. Master’s scholarships are renewable for a second year of study

Value of the Award
R20 000.00 per annum tax free for subsistence. R5 000.00 per annum for fees

Conditions

• Scholarship holders may undertake teaching/academic duties to a maximum of 9 hours per week
• Scholarship holders may not receive, concurrently with a MRC scholarship, other bursaries, grants or remuneration which binds them to enter the service of any organisation
• Candidates may not hold a bursary from more than one statutory science council at any given time
• Scholarship holders may not receive, concurrently with MRC scholarships, other non-binding remuneration/fellowships and grants without prior approval from the MRC
• Scholarship holders may not, without obtaining the MRC’s prior approval, register at a university other than that through which the application has been submitted
• Once the award has been made the scholarship holder cannot change the research project without the approval of the MRC
• Once the award has been made the scholarship holder cannot change his/her supervisor without the approval of the MRC
• Successful applicants will be required to enter into an agreement with the MRC to complete their studies within the specified time period.

Application Process

• Application forms are sent to the post-graduate scholarships office or research support services at all tertiary institutions
• Applications are submitted to the MRC through the tertiary institution’s administrative office
• An applicant must consult beforehand with the principal research supervisor under whose supervision the research will be carried out, as well as with co-supervisor(s) where applicable.
• The university at which the candidate will be registered must confirm that the candidate has been accepted for master’s study

Selection Criteria

• Population Group
• Gender
• Academic record/potential of the applicant

MRC funded supervisor:

• Research area
• Supervisors credentials and experience
• Number of MRC funded students approved per supervisor

Non MRC Funded supervisor:

• Supervisor’s credentials and experience, peer-reviewed project, ethical approval, availability of running expense

Successful applicants are required to:

• Submit progress reports with the renewal application. The renewal application must include a motivation from the student’s supervisor
• Provide a copy of the completed dissertation to the MRC

Surety
Successful applicants sign a written agreement to refund the bursary, with interest, if the degree is not completed within three years unless a written extension is requested from the MRC

General
The total income from the MRC and other sources should not exceed R50 000.00 pa

Closing Date
30 September

Contact person
Mrs. Magriet da Silva, magriet.da.silva@mrc.ac.za