POLIOMYELITIS RESEARCH FOUNDATION (PRF) BURSARY

Categories

Postgraduate

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

To carry out research on the poliomyelitis (polio) disease, the Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF) was established as a non-governmental organization in the late 1940s. In order to further medical virology in South Africa, the incorporated association is dedicated to funding research projects.

Senior virologists, representatives from the business and industrial sectors, and the Scientific Advisory Panel, which is made up of the heads of virology departments at universities around South Africa, oversee the Foundation.

Each year the PRF gives cash for meritorious students, in the form of bursaries, research grants, travel grants and fellowships. Over R44 million of the more than R144 million in research funds awarded by the Foundation between 1977 and 2016 were bursary scholarships.

FIELDS COVERED

Bursaries for postgraduate study in virology research (BSc (Hons), MSc, and PhD) will be given out.

BURSARY COVERAGE

The level of the qualification being sought will determine how long the bursary award lasts: Unless there is a special situation, master's students and doctoral students can get bursary support for up to two and three years, respectively.

Unless authorized by the PRF, scholars are not permitted to alter their research project.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Before applying, candidates must meet the following minimal criteria:

if you don't meet them all, your application won't be taken into consideration.

  • Citizens or permanent residents of South Africa will be given preference.
  • To do virology research, you must be enrolled in a postgraduate program (BScHons, MSc, or PhD).
  • In your most recent studies, you must have received at least a 60% overall average.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE PRF BURSARY

The following steps must be followed in order to submit applications:

Step 1:

fill out an online application.

Step 2:

Your application may be rejected if any of the following supporting documents are not uploaded in clear copy. These documents must be submitted with your application.

 NEW candidates:

  • Curriculum Vitae (no more than two pages), including publications
  • Academic History
  • Proof of Degree Enrolment
  • FinalizedGrants Signatory Application Form
  • Candidates for an MSc: Evidence of completing a bachelor's degree
  • Candidates for PhDs: Evidence of completion of an MSc
  • Any further supporting documentation for your application (graphs must be included as an annex in a PDF document)

RENEWAL:

  • Candidates for master's degrees: filled-outGrants Application Signatory Form
  • PhD candidates: Supervisor Progress Report Any other supporting documentation (graphs must be submitted as an attachment in a PDF document)

Step 3:

ThePRF Final Bursary Formshould be downloaded, filled out, and sent by email toprf@nicd.ac.za.
Put "PRF Bursary Application" in the subject line of the email, followed by "BSc (Hons)," "MSc," or "PhD."

CLOSING DATE: 28 February 2026 and 15 September 2025.

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE BURSARY PROVIDER

Please get in touch with the Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF) immediately if you have any questions about this bursary program:


Phone:011 555 0395

Via email:prf@nicd.ac.za

 

For more bursary opportunities go toview more bursaries