CSIR Bursary Programme 2027: Funding for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies
The CSIR Bursary Programme 2027 provides financial support to full-time, unemployed students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in fields identified as priorities by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The programme aims to attract academically talented young people and increase the participation of women, black people and people with disabilities in science, engineering and technology.
Bursary opportunities are available for undergraduate, Honours, master’s and doctoral studies in selected fields.
CSIR Bursary 2027 Fields of Study
- The CSIR bursary supports students studying towards qualifications in a range of science, engineering, technology and related fields.
Undergraduate Bursary Fields
- Electronic Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Rock Mapping
- Information Technology
- Geology
- Oceanography
Honours Bursary Fields
- Electronic Engineering
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Data Science
- Civil Engineering
- Geoinformatics
Master’s Bursary Fields
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Biology/Health Science
- Biomedical Science
- Metallurgy
- Mechanical Engineering
- Architecture
- Development Planning
- Computer Systems Engineering
- Digital Government and Innovation Systems Research
- Industrial Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Information Systems
- Biotechnology
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Port and Coastal Engineering
- Organic Chemistry
- Geoinformatics
- Data Science
Doctoral Bursary Fields
- Electronic Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Biostatistics
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Digital Government and Innovation Systems Research
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Organic Chemistry
CSIR Bursary 2027 Requirements
- The minimum requirements differ depending on the level of study.
Requirements for Current Grade 12 Learners
Applicants currently in Grade 12 must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Intend to enrol full-time for their chosen degree at a South African public university.
- Have English at Level 5 or higher.
- Have Mathematics at Level 6 or higher.
- Have Physical Science at Level 6 or higher.
Applicants should also meet the admission requirements of the university and qualification they intend to study.
Requirements for Current University Students
Current university students must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Intend to enrol full-time at a South African university for the 2027 academic year.
- Have passed all registered courses for the completed period of study at university.
Applicants must be studying towards a qualification that falls within one of the fields supported by the CSIR bursary programme.
Requirements for Master’s and Doctoral Applicants
Applicants for master’s and doctoral bursaries must be South African citizens and should demonstrate:
- Good scientific writing skills.
- Good organisational and time-management skills.
- An excellent academic record.
- A strong interest in conducting research.
- Self-motivation and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- The ability to formulate and conduct research.
- Excellent technical abilities.
- The ability to work under pressure and meet scheduled deliverables.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Good report-writing abilities.
Applicants must also meet the relevant entry requirements for a master’s or doctoral qualification at their selected university.
Documents Required for the CSIR Bursary
Applicants must submit the required supporting documents with their applications.
These include:
- An updated CV.
- A certified copy of their South African identity document.
- A copy of their latest academic record.
- Proof of a completed degree for master’s and doctoral applicants.
Applicants should ensure that all required documents are attached before submitting their application. Failure to provide the required documents may result in the application being declared invalid.
What Does the CSIR Bursary Cover?
The CSIR Bursary Programme is a comprehensive bursary that provides financial support towards the costs associated with university studies.
Undergraduate and Honours students may receive support for:
- Registration fees.
- Tuition fees.
- Books.
- Accommodation.
- Living allowances.
- A once-off laptop allowance.
Master’s and Doctoral students may receive support for:
- Registration fees.
- Tuition fees.
- Living allowances.
- A once-off laptop allowance.
Postgraduate students may also qualify for additional research-related support, subject to the applicable CSIR conditions and available funding.
This may include support for research costs, conferences, research skills development and other costs associated with completing postgraduate research.
Additional Opportunities for CSIR Bursary Students
In addition to financial support, CSIR bursary recipients may have access to development and career-related opportunities.
These include:
- Recognition of top-performing students through CSIR Excellence Awards, certificates and gifts.
- Possible work placement opportunities at the CSIR and affiliated organisations.
- Interview skills training for final-year students.
- Opportunities to work on real-life projects addressing socio-economic challenges through research and CSIR co-supervision.
- An onboarding session and opportunity to meet the CSIR team.
- Psychosocial support, including academic and psychological support.
- Access to a student wellness programme.
- Mentorship opportunities with senior CSIR professionals.
- Vacation work opportunities of up to six weeks per year.
Postgraduate students may also have opportunities to attend conferences and participate in research-related programmes, subject to the applicable requirements.
CSIR Bursary Work-Back Requirement
CSIR bursary recipients should be aware that the bursary comes with a work-back obligation.
Students are required to work back for each year in which they received funding from the CSIR, subject to the terms and conditions of the bursary agreement.
Applicants should carefully review the bursary conditions before accepting the funding.
How to Apply for the CSIR Bursary 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the CSIR Bursary Portal.
Applicants should complete the online application form and upload all required supporting documents before submitting their application.
CSIR Bursary Application:
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible and ensure that all information provided is accurate.
CSIR Bursary Enquiries
For more information about the CSIR Bursary Programme, applicants can contact the CSIR Bursary Programme team:
Telephone: 012 841 2616
Email: bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za
CSIR Bursary 2027 Closing Date
The closing date for the CSIR Bursary Programme 2027 is 15 September 2026
Applicants should submit their applications before the closing date and make sure that all required documents have been attached.
CSIR Bursary 2027, CSIR bursaries 2027, CSIR bursary application, CSIR bursary requirements, CSIR bursary closing date, CSIR undergraduate bursary, CSIR Honours bursary, CSIR master’s bursary, CSIR doctoral bursary, CSIR engineering bursary, CSIR postgraduate bursary, science bursaries South Africa, engineering bursaries 2027, university bursaries 2027, bursaries South Africa.