The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is inviting undergraduate and postgraduate students studying heritage-related qualifications at recognised South African public institutions to apply for this full-cost bursary for the 2026 academic year.
Applications close on 31 January 2026
About the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC)
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is responsible for promoting, protecting, and preserving South Africa’s cultural heritage, arts, sport, and indigenous knowledge systems.
A key focus of DSAC is:
- Strengthening museums and archives
- Protecting cultural and natural heritage
- Promoting indigenous knowledge systems (IKS)
- Training the next generation of heritage professionals, archivists, curators, researchers, and conservation specialists
The DSAC Heritage Bursary Programme directly supports this mission by enabling talented students — particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds — to pursue rare and specialised heritage qualifications.
What the DSAC Bursary Covers (Up to R110 000)
This is a full-cost bursary, covering most core academic and living expenses:
Tuition Fees
- Full tuition paid directly to the institution
Prescribed Books
- All required textbooks covered
Electronic Device
- Up to R10 000 for a laptop or tablet
Accommodation
- Up to R50 000 (subject to need and availability)
Meals
- Up to R18 500
Transport
- Up to R10 000 (where applicable)
This makes the DSAC bursary especially valuable for students who do not qualify for NSFAS or need additional financial support.
Eligible Fields of Study for DSAC Bursary 2026
Your qualification must fall within DSAC’s approved heritage-related fields.
Heritage & Cultural Sciences
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- Curatorship
- Preservation and Conservation
- Preventive Conservation (Postgraduate)
Anthropology & Archaeology
- Physical & Biological Anthropology
- Archaeology (including Maritime & Underwater Cultural Heritage)
- Digital Archaeology
- Maritime Archaeology
Geography & Earth Sciences
- Geography
- Geomatic Sciences
- Cartography (Postgraduate)
- GIS (Postgraduate)
- Palaeontology
Information, Records & Archival Sciences
- Library and Information Science
- Archives and Records Management
- Digitisation of Heritage Resources
Indigenous Knowledge & Social Sciences
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
- History
- International Studies
- Programmes promoting or preserving IKS
Important:
If your field is not listed above, your application will be rejected. DSAC is strict on eligibility.
Eligibility Requirements for DSAC Bursary 2026
Applicants must meet ALL of the following:
- South African citizen
- 40 years or younger
- Registered full-time student
- Minimum 65% academic average
- Studying a heritage-related qualification
- Not funded by another bursary
- Not fully employed earning more than R130 000 per year
- Studying at a DHET-accredited institution
Part-time employed applicants must submit certified proof of income.
Required Documents (Certified – Not Older Than 3 Months)
You must attach ALL of the following:
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Proof of provisional acceptance or registration for 2026
- Certified Matric certificate
- Certified academic transcript or progress report
- Certified proof of parents’/guardian’s income
- Latest certified payslip (if applicable)
- Proof of disability (if applicable)
- Affidavit confirming authenticity of salary slips
❌ Incomplete or uncertified documents = automatic disqualification
How to Know if You Should Apply
Ask yourself:
- Am I accepted into a heritage-related qualification for 2026?
- Is my field listed under DSAC-approved programmes?
- Do I meet the 65% minimum average?
- Am I not funded by another bursary?
If you answered YES to all four, you should apply.
How to Apply for the DSAC Heritage Bursary 2026
Applications are ONLINE ONLY.
👉 Click here to apply for the DSAC Bursary Programme 2026:
https://dsacevents.dsac.gov.za/dsacHer_Burs_Herit/front_page.php
Important Notes
- No manual or email applications accepted
- If you do not receive feedback by 31 March 2026, consider your application unsuccessful