Pretoria, Monday, 31 August 2026 – As Women’s Month draws to a close, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) Internship Programme will continue to make a meaningful contribution to the empowerment of female graduates by providing valuable workplace experience, professional development opportunities and exposure to diverse career pathways.
Having commemorated 20 years of existence in 2025, the programme remains committed to promoting gender inclusion and advancing women’s participation in the workforce.
Since the inception of the programme, a total of 7,531 interns have been placed between 2005 and 2025, of which 4,965 (approximately 66%) were female interns. This achievement not only demonstrates the programme’s commitment to gender equality but also exceeds the Ministerial target of 55% female representation.
Through structured mentorship, practical workplace exposure, and continuous skills development, the programme has strengthened the employability of female graduates, expanded their professional networks, and supported their long-term career growth.
The sustained participation of women in the programme reflects its important role in advancing women’s economic empowerment and contributing to a more inclusive and representative workforce.
Apart from empowering women, the HSRC Internship Programme offers an opportunity to unemployed graduates in Science, Engineering and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences as well as Research Development and Innovation fields to acquire practical work experience through mentoring and exposure; promote an environment in which the interns acquire the required skills needed to ease entry into the relevant sector/job market; transfer their knowledge to host institutions and contribute to the goals of the institution; and gain experience in research management, research support and administration at public higher education institutions and research institutions at large.
Celebrating over two decades of transformative impact, the programme has been dedicated to shaping the next generation of bright young minds in South Africa since 2005.
Since its inception, the HSRC Internship Programme has expanded its pool of disciplines significantly, ensuring that the programme appeals to a broader cohort of applicants.
Current disciplines covered include:
- Economic & Management Sciences,
- Engineering & Technology,
- Humanities & Social Sciences,
- Sciences,
- Law,
- Information Sciences, and
- Communications.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our primary funding and strategic partners whose support powers our capacity development and graduate placement initiatives:
- Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI): Partnering with the HSRC to fund, guide and implement national graduate internship frameworks aligned with South Africa’s Decadal Plan.
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ): Supporting specialised capacity building, international exposure and skills development within the emerging green hydrogen and Power-to-X sectors.
- National Skills Fund (NSF): Supporting critical skill-building interventions and graduate work-readiness across strategic sectors.
The next intake will be announced soon on various media platforms. Prospective graduates who are willing to participate in the programme should keep an eye on the HSRC website and social media platforms.
ENDS.
For media enquiries, please contact Adziliwi Nematandani: Cell: +27 82 765 9191 Email: anematandani@hsrc.ac.za
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Notes to the editor
About the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
Established in 1968, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) is South Africa’s statutory research agency and the largest dedicated social science and humanities research institute on the African continent. The HSRC generates evidence and insights that inform public policy, support development and improve lives. Through high-quality research, strategic partnerships and research capacity development, the Council contributes to evidence-informed decision-making in South Africa, Africa and globally.