The South African National Space Agency invites qualifying South African science and engineering students to apply for the SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Study Location: Recognised South African universities
SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme 2027
The South African National Space Agency, commonly known as SANSA, has opened applications for its 2027 Postgraduate Bursary Programme.
The programme supports students pursuing Honours, Master’s and Doctoral qualifications in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.
SANSA aims to contribute to South Africa’s need for highly qualified science and engineering graduates while developing the scarce skills required to support space science, earth observation, engineering, technology and national development.
Applicants must have a strong academic record and intend to pursue a postgraduate qualification relevant to SANSA’s research and operational areas.
Bursary Programme Overview
Bursary provider: South African National Space Agency
Abbreviation: SANSA
Programme: Postgraduate Bursary Programme 2027
Study levels: Honours, Master’s and Doctoral
Eligible fields: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Minimum academic average: 65%
Closing date: 30 September 2026
Application method: Online
SANSA Bursary Funding Amounts
Successful applicants may receive the following annual funding:
| Study level | Funding amount |
|---|---|
| Honours | R150 000 per year |
| Master’s | R160 000 per year |
| Doctoral | R170 000 per year |
The final award will be subject to SANSA’s bursary conditions, available funding and the applicant’s continued academic performance.
Who Can Apply?
The SANSA bursary is aimed at Bachelor of Science and Engineering graduates who plan to continue with postgraduate studies.
Applicants should:
- Be applying for an Honours, Master’s or Doctoral qualification.
- Study in an eligible science, engineering or technology discipline.
- Have an academic average of at least 65%.
- Submit a complete official academic record.
- Provide all compulsory supporting documents.
- Ensure that uploaded files are not encrypted or password-protected.
- Meet the admission requirements of the selected university and postgraduate programme.
Only applicants pursuing relevant science and engineering qualifications will be considered.
Earth Observation Fields of Study
SANSA may consider postgraduate applications in the following Earth Observation-related fields:
- Applied Remote Sensing
- Applied Remote Sensing and GIS
- Botany
- Ecology and Resource Management
- Environmental Science
- Environmental and Geographical Science
- Environmental and Water Science
- Environmental Geology
- Environmental Management
- Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
- Geographical and Environmental Science
- Geographical Information Systems
- Geographical Science
- Geography with Remote Sensing and GIS
- Geography and Environmental Management
- Geography and Environmental Science
- Geoinformatics
- GIS and Remote Sensing
- Information Systems and Remote Sensing
- Plant and Environmental Science
- Statistical Ecology
The list is not necessarily exhaustive, and related qualifications may also be considered.
Space Engineering Fields of Study
Eligible engineering and technology qualifications may include:
- Computer and Electronic Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Information Technology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Information Systems
Applicants should explain how their research or postgraduate programme relates to space engineering, technology development or SANSA’s areas of work.
Space Science Fields of Study
SANSA may also consider students pursuing postgraduate studies in:
- Applied Mathematics
- Energy Studies
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Space Science
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
Applicants in related scientific disciplines may be considered where their research aligns with SANSA’s programmes.
Minimum Academic Requirement
Applicants must have achieved an academic average of at least:
65% in their most recent year of study or latest examination results
Applications from students with an average below 65% will not be considered.
Students should submit a complete academic record from the first year of study rather than only their latest semester results.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- A full official university academic record from the first year of study.
- Final-year or mid-year 2026 academic results.
- An official undergraduate student account statement.
- An official NSFAS funding letter where undergraduate studies were funded by NSFAS.
- A certified copy of the applicant’s identity document.
- Supporting documents required for the selected postgraduate level.
- Any additional documents requested through the online application system.
The identity document must be certified within three months of the application date.
Requirements for Master’s Applicants
Master’s applicants must submit:
- A complete official academic record.
- A testimonial from a lecturer or proposed supervisor.
- A draft research proposal of no more than two pages.
- All standard supporting documents.
The research proposal must be signed and dated by both:
- The applicant.
- The proposed supervisor.
Requirements for Doctoral Applicants
Doctoral applicants must submit:
- A complete official academic record.
- A testimonial from a lecturer or proposed supervisor.
- A draft doctoral research proposal of no more than four pages.
- All standard supporting documents.
The doctoral proposal must be signed and dated by the applicant and proposed supervisor.
Research Proposal Requirements
Master’s and Doctoral applicants should ensure that their proposals clearly outline:
- The proposed research title.
- The research problem.
- The purpose of the research.
- Research objectives.
- Proposed methodology.
- Expected contribution to the field.
- Relevance to SANSA’s research areas.
- Proposed supervisor details.
Unsigned, undated or excessively long proposals may result in an incomplete application.
Academic Record Requirements
Applicants must upload a full official university academic record covering:
- First year.
- Second year.
- Third year.
- Honours year, where applicable.
- Latest semester or mid-year 2026 results.
Screenshots or unofficial student portal results may not be accepted where an official record is required.
Applicants should request the academic record from their institution early to avoid delays.
Student Account or NSFAS Letter
Applicants must provide evidence of how their undergraduate study fees were funded.
This must be either:
- An official university student account statement; or
- An official letter confirming NSFAS funding.
The document should clearly show the applicant’s name, student number and institution.
Important Application Conditions
Applications may be regarded as incomplete where:
- Compulsory documents are missing.
- The identity document is not certified.
- The certification is older than three months.
- Academic results are incomplete.
- Files are encrypted.
- Files are password-protected.
- A Master’s or Doctoral proposal is unsigned.
- The proposed supervisor has not signed the proposal.
- The applicant’s academic average is below 65%.
- The qualification is not relevant to SANSA’s scientific or engineering areas.
Applicants should open every uploaded file after saving it to confirm that it can be viewed.
What the SANSA Bursary Supports
The bursary is intended to help postgraduate students continue developing specialist skills in areas important to South Africa’s science and engineering sectors.
Depending on the approved bursary conditions, funding may contribute towards study-related costs such as:
- Tuition fees.
- Research costs.
- Academic materials.
- Accommodation.
- Living expenses.
- Research travel.
- Other approved postgraduate study costs.
The exact allocation will be communicated to successful recipients.
How to Apply for SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2027
Applications must be submitted through the official SANSA bursary platform.
Click here to apply for SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2027
Applicants should:
- Open the official SANSA bursary page.
- Review the programme requirements.
- Select the appropriate postgraduate study level.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload the full official academic record.
- Upload proof of undergraduate funding.
- Upload a recently certified identity document.
- Upload the testimonial and proposal where required.
- Confirm that files are not password-protected.
- Review the complete application.
- Submit it before the closing date.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications close on 30 September 2026.
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Applicants should submit well before the closing date because obtaining academic records, supervisor testimonials and signed research proposals may take time.
SANSA Bursary Enquiries
Applicants who need assistance may contact:
Email: students@sansa.org.za
Enquiries should clearly state that they relate to the SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme 2027.
Applicants should include their full name and intended postgraduate study level when requesting assistance.
Important Application Advice
Before submitting an application, confirm that:
- Your academic average is at least 65%.
- Your qualification is relevant to science, engineering or technology.
- Your full academic record is attached.
- Your latest 2026 results are included.
- Your identity document was certified within three months.
- Your student account statement or NSFAS letter is attached.
- Your testimonial is included where required.
- Your research proposal meets the page limit.
- Your proposal has been signed and dated.
- None of the documents is encrypted or password-protected.
- Your application is submitted by 30 September 2026.
About the South African National Space Agency
The South African National Space Agency is responsible for supporting and promoting the use of space science and technology in South Africa.
Its work includes Earth observation, space engineering, space science, research, data services and the development of scientific and technical skills.
Through its postgraduate bursary programme, SANSA supports students who may contribute to the future development of South Africa’s space, science, engineering and technology sectors.