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NIHSS Postgraduate Bursary (Humanities & Social Sciences)

National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS)

NIHSS funds postgraduate research in humanities, social sciences, law, and education. One of the few dedicated postgraduate bursaries for humanities students in South Africa.

What's covered

💵Living Allowance🎓Tuition

Research stipend and tuition support

Applications closed

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Eligibility at a Glance

Fields of Study

📖 Humanities 🤝 Social Work 🧠 Psychology 📉 Economics ⚖️ Law 📚 Education

Study Level

Master'sPhDPostgraduate

Available In

All Provinces (Nationwide)

Quick Facts

Workback requiredNo

Financial need requiredNo

NSFAS compatibleYes

Disability friendlyYes

SA citizenship requiredYes

Min academic average65%

About This Bursary

NIHSS Postgraduate Bursary

The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) provides postgraduate research funding in fields that are often neglected by corporate bursaries.

This is one of the few dedicated postgraduate bursaries for:

Humanities (history, philosophy, languages, African studies)

Social sciences (sociology, anthropology, political science)

Psychology and counselling

Law and legal studies

Education research

NIHSS bursaries support masters and doctoral research that contributes to South Africa's knowledge economy.

Eligibility Requirements

South African citizen
Master's or doctoral student in humanities or social sciences
Strong academic record (65%+)
Approved research proposal
Registered at an accredited South African university

How to Apply

1Visit nihss.ac.za
2Check current funding calls
3Apply with research proposal and supervisor letter

Required Documents

SA ID
Academic transcripts
Research proposal
Supervisor letter
CV

✅ Application readiness

5 required documents for this bursary

Research proposal
Supervisor letter

Tip: manage your full checklist on the bursary finder before applying to NIHSS Postgraduate Bursary (Humanities & Social Sciences).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a postgraduate bursary for humanities students in South Africa?

Yes. The NIHSS specifically funds postgraduate research in humanities, social sciences, law, and education — fields where other postgraduate funding is limited.

Applications Currently Closed

This bursary is not open right now

Applications typically open again next year. Bookmark this page and check back, or visit the provider website for updates.

Visit National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) Website

Bursary Summary

ProviderNational Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS)

ValueR80,000–R200,000/year

DeadlineClosed

Min average65%

WorkbackNone

Applications Closed

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Disclaimer: Information is for guidance only. Always verify deadlines, eligibility, and requirements on the official provider website. FundingPlug is not affiliated with any bursary provider.