HSRC Internship Programme 2025-2027 – Apply for Research & Innovation Training

HSRC Internship Programme – Build Your Future in Research and Innovation

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) Internship Programme is designed to provide unemployed graduates with valuable practical work experience in Science, Engineering, Technology (SET), Humanities, Social Sciences (HSS), Research, Development, and Innovation fields. This initiative aims to:

Offer mentorship and exposure to enhance career readiness
Equip interns with relevant skills for seamless entry into the job market
Enable knowledge transfer to host institutions and support their goals
Provide hands-on experience in research management, administration, and support at higher education and research institutions

Programme Objectives

Expand the pool of skilled professionals for the National System of Innovation (NSI)
Enhance employability by providing work experience aligned with academic qualifications
Encourage SET graduates to explore careers in research and development
Strengthen research management capacity in higher education institutions
Promote inclusive access to learning opportunities, especially for marginalized groups

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the HSRC Internship Programme 2025-2027, candidates must:

Be a South African citizen or permanent resident (valid ID required)
Be unemployed and 35 years or younger at the time of appointment
Hold an NQF Level 7-9 qualification from a DHET-accredited institution, such as:
Bachelor’s, Advanced Diploma, or B-Tech Degree (NQF Level 7)
Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma (NQF Level 8)
Master’s Degree or M-Tech (NQF Level 9)
- Have completed their studies before applying

Not Eligible:

Candidates with qualifications below NQF Level 7 or PhD (NQF Level 10)
Individuals currently registered for full-time study
Registered Doctoral (PhD, DPhil, DTech) students
Recipients of DSI-funded scholarships or bursaries in the internship year
Past beneficiaries of the DSI-NRF or DSI-HSRC Internship Programme

Host Institutions & Mentorship

Host institutions must:

Be in SET, HSS, Research, Development, or Innovation disciplines
Have mentors employed on a long-term contract (minimum 2 years) or permanently
Provide necessary infrastructure (workstations, computers, remote platforms)
Support intern training, mentoring, and participation in mentor forums

Programme Structure & Benefits

Mentorship Model: Each intern is paired with a mentor to develop skills relevant to their field
Capacity Development: Includes training workshops on communication, time management, and work etiquette
Employee Wellness Programme: Offers psycho-social support, financial management advice, and trauma counseling
Financial Support: Interns receive a monthly stipend administered through the HSRC
Duration: 24 months

Application & Selection Process

Call Opens: 18 February 2025
Call Closes: 17 March 2025

Application Steps:

Host Institutions Apply – Institutions submit requests for interns.
Graduate Applications Open – Eligible candidates submit their applications.
Intern Matching – Hosts review profiles and select potential interns.
Interviews & Selection – Hosts conduct interviews and notify HSRC of their selections.
Final Verification & Contracts – HSRC verifies eligibility and finalizes agreements.

Kickstart your career in research and innovation! Apply for the HSRC Internship Programme 2025-2027 and gain invaluable experience in your field.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply