(NRF) SCARCE SKILLS SCHOLARSHIP FOR HONOURS STUDY
The Department of Labour has awarded NRF a grant for distribution to honours students for 2009 in areas where there is a scarcity of skills in South Africa. The fields that have been identified are accounting, auditing, actuarial sciences, agricultural sciences, bioinformatics, biotechnology, chemistry, computer science, demography, engineering, geology, information systems, mathematical sciences, physics, statistics, tourism and transportation studies.
PERIOD OF SUPPORT
•    One year
VALUE
•    R30 000

ELIGIBILITy•    Must be a South African citizen
•    Register full-time at a South African university
•    Applicants must have obtained at least 60% in the final year of undergraduate study for the subject(s)/course(s) they are pursuing for their honours degree
UNIVERSITY CLOSING DATE:  30 JANUARY
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION
APPLICATION FOR AN NRF/DoL SCARCE SKILLS SCHOLARSHIP FOR HONOURS
/FINAL YEAR BTECH STUDY FOR 2009
INSTRUCTIONS SHEET FOR COMPLETING OF APPLICATION FORM
General
A limited number of free-standing scarce skills honours scholarships will be made available by the NRF as block grants to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) annually. Scholarships will not be awarded for in-service training.
Students who are South African citizens and who intend registering as full-time students at a South African university in designated fields may apply for this scholarship. These scholarships do not bind successful candidates to enter the NRF’s service after completion of their studies. Successful applicants are, however, expected to complete the degree for which the bursary was awarded in the minimum period. If not, the bursary will have to be refunded.
The value of the honours bursary is R30 000 (thirthy thousand rand).  The maximum period of support is one year.
The requirements given below must be met by applicants.
1.    Applicants must obtain at least 60% in the final year of undergraduate study for the subject(s)/course(s) which they intend pursuing for their honours degree.
2.    Applicants should not have failed any subjects/courses taken during the final year of undergraduate study.
3.    Applicants must have obtained the undergraduate degree in the minimum time stipulated by the institution.
NB: Applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who have taken an additional year to complete their undergraduate degrees will be considered.
It must be emphasised that only a limited number of bursaries is available which will be awarded on a competitive basis taking equity measures into account. Therefore, although applicants may have complied with the above academic requirements, the final decision to award these scholarships rests with the relevant HEI.
These scarce skills scholarship may not be held concurrently with bursaries, grants or emoluments which bind the recipient to enter into the service of the contract holder on completion of his/her studies. The scholarship may also not be held concurrently with any other NRF bursary.  However, bursars would be allowed to undertake a maximum of 12 hours per week of teaching, tutorials, assistance or demonstrating duties. There is now no ceiling limit on supplementary funding.
Candidates, who are salaried employees during the tenure of the bursaries applied for, are not eligible for NRF support.
An applicant who already has a qualification on the same level or higher than an honours degree will not be considered for a bursary.
Please note that incomplete and late applications will not be accepted.  The HEI will not accept any responsibility for ensuring that applications are properly and correctly completed.
Completion of the form
Please do not complete more than one form.
Please refer to your HEI for preferences in the language of submission.  Applications should preferably be completed in typescript.  However, if this is not possible, they must be completed in block letters using a black pen.
Section A
Must be completed by all applicants.
Section B
Must be completed by all applicants.  The identity number supplied must be verified by attaching a copy of the relevant page of the ID document. If the ID document is not yet available, proof of citizenship should be attached.
Section C
Must be completed by all applicants.
Section D
Must be completed by all applicants. Scholarships are awarded as a block grant to institutions. If a successful candidate moves to another institutions the scholarship will be forfeited and awarded to the next best candidate at that institution
Section E
A complete certified academic record giving percentages (i.e. not symbols) of all subjects taken must be attached.  All the subjects must be given (including those failed).  The academic record should include proof that the undergraduate degree has been obtained as well as the final marks for the degree.
Where applicants hold degrees from institutions abroad, their study records should be equated to South African norms when submitting the application. Equated record should indicate what the South African equivalent of the qualification is, as well as the level at which it was obtained (i.e. percentages obtained).
Section F
Must be completed by all applicants. Applicants are requested to give details reflecting their studies/activities since obtaining their matriculation up to the present (i.e. similar to a curriculum vitae covering only the period between matriculation and the present).
Section G
Should applicants have held bursaries for previous undergraduate studies which bind them to enter into the service of the contract holder on completion of their studies, a statement from the contract holder will be required in which it is stated:
a)     that deferment of assumption of duty has been granted so that the candidate can study full-time towards a higher degree;
b)    that the applicant will not be receiving any support from the contract holder during the period for which the NRF bursary is requested that will bind him/her for an additional period;
c)    that the contract holder has no objection to the applicant receiving the requested NRF bursary.
Section H
Must be completed by all applicants.
Section I
Must be signed by all applicants and co-signed by a witness.
Section J
The form must be forwarded to the appropriate bursary/financial aid officer in the university administration or research office for completion of this section.
30 JANUARY
for more information;
APPLICATION FORMS ARE ATTACHED BELOW. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR SCHOLARSHIPS ADVISOR
Student Funding Centre
Howard College
Telephone:    (031) 260 2912
Email:        nkhoesap@ukzn.ac.za
Student Funding Centre
Pietermaritzburg
Telephone:    (033) 260 6145
Email:        singhro@ukzn.ac.za
Student Funding Centre
Westville
Telephone:    (031) 260 8085/2237
Email:        pillaydn@ukzn.ac.za
Mbhelet3@ukzn.ac.za

Student Funding Centre
Medical School
Telephone:    (031) 260 4359
Email:        butheleziZ1@ukzn.ac.za
Student Funding Centre
Edgewood Campus
Telephone:    (031) 260 3603
Email:        khathalic@ukzn.ac.za