Bursary Application Closing Date: 31 August 2024 (at 12:00)

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invite students to submit applications for the Bursary Programme for the academic year 2025. The bursary will be awarded for postgraduate studies (Honours/4th year Engineering/Postgraduate Diploma/Masters/Doctoral) in the following Thematic Research Focus Areas:

• Biocatalysis
• Biopharming
• Bioprocessing
• Health
• ICT
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
• Microsystems Technology
• Mining
• Modelling and Digital Sciences
• Titanium (Manufacturing Elements)
• Photonics
• Water Research

About the Programme

The Inter-Bursary Support (IBS) programme was established by the DSI to support capacity development in key and priority areas identified in departmental strategies. The CSIR supports this initiative to develop skills in these areas.

Bursary Value

The bursary value will be determined by the level of study:

• Honours, 4th Year Engineering, and Postgraduate Diploma: Up to R130 000 per annum.
• Masters: Up to R140 000 per annum.
• Doctoral: Up to R160 000 per annum.

Bursary recipients will also receive a once-off laptop allowance of R10 000.

Notification

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within two months of the closing date. If you do not receive any feedback, please regard your application as unsuccessful. Applicants can also check the status of their application by logging in to the application portal.

Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (failure to meet all requirements will lead to disqualification):

• You may be a South African citizen or a South African permanent resident.
• You must be studying or intend to study full-time towards a postgraduate qualification in one of the thematic areas listed above in 2025.
• You must be studying or accepted/registered to study at a public university in South Africa.
• You must NOT be receiving any other bursary funding.

Honours Applicants:

• Must NOT be older than 28 years old.
• Must have achieved a minimum average of 65% for all major subjects in the final year of undergraduate study.

Masters Applicants:

• Must NOT be older than 30 years old.
• Must have achieved a minimum average of 65% for all major subjects in Honours level or final year of a 4-year degree.
• Must have supervisor endorsement and motivation.

Doctoral Applicants:

• Must NOT be older than 32 years old.
• Must have achieved a minimum average of 65% at Masters level.
• Must have supervisor endorsement and motivation.

Preference will be given to students with disabilities and students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Application Documents

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application. Submission of these documents is compulsory – missing items may result in disqualification:

• ID document, if a South African citizen (certified copy).
• Passport and proof of permanent residency, if an international student (certified copies).
• University degree certificate (certified copy).
• Full university transcript/record (on institution's letterhead).
• Proof of university application or registration (on institution's letterhead).
• Recommendation letter from your supervisor, if a Master's or Doctoral applicant.
• Admission letter showing full-time registration, if available (successful applicants will be required to submit this).