The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research invites unemployed South African students to apply for the CSIR Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 15 September 2026
Bursary Location: Public universities across South Africa
CSIR Bursary Programme 2027
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is offering merit-based bursaries to students pursuing qualifications in fields considered important to its research, technology-development, innovation and support functions.
The bursary is available for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, including Honours, Master’s and doctoral qualifications.
The programme is aimed at full-time unemployed students with strong academic records. Female students, black students and persons living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Bursary Programme Overview
Bursary provider: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Programme: CSIR Bursary Programme 2027
Academic year: 2027
Study levels: Undergraduate, Honours, Master’s and PhD
Age requirement: Under 35 years
Citizenship: South African citizens
Study mode: Full-time
Institution requirement: Public university in South Africa
Closing date: 15 September 2026
Application method: Online
Undergraduate Fields of Study
Undergraduate bursaries are available for studies in:
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Geology
- Information Technology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Oceanography
- Rock Mapping
Current Matric learners must intend to study full-time in one of these fields during 2027.
Honours Fields of Study
Honours bursaries are available in:
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Geoinformatics
- Information Systems
Applicants must be enrolled or intend to enrol in an eligible full-time Honours programme.
Master’s Fields of Study
Master’s bursaries are available in:
- Architecture
- Biology or Health Science
- Biomedical Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Computer Systems Engineering
- Data Science
- Development Planning
- Digital Government and Innovation System Research
- Ecology
- Electronic Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Geoinformatics
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Systems
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Metallurgy
- Organic Chemistry
- Port and Coastal Engineering
Doctoral Fields of Study
PhD bursaries are available in:
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Biostatistics
- Biotechnology
- Computer Engineering
- Digital Government and Innovation Systems Research
- Electronic Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Organic Chemistry
What the CSIR Bursary Covers
The expenses covered depend on the applicant’s level of study.
Undergraduate and Honours bursary funding may include:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed books
- A once-off laptop allowance
- Accommodation
- A living allowance
Master’s and doctoral bursary funding may include:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- A once-off laptop allowance
- A living allowance
The supplied information does not state the maximum value of each bursary component.
Additional Benefits for All Bursary Recipients
Successful students may also receive:
- Academic and psychological support.
- Access to a student-wellness programme.
- Vacation-work opportunities of up to six weeks per year.
- Exposure to real-life research and innovation projects.
- CSIR co-supervision for relevant research.
- Potential work-placement opportunities at the CSIR or related organisations.
- Recognition through CSIR Excellence Awards.
- Certificates and other awards for top-performing students.
- Interview-skills training for final-year students.
- An onboarding session with the CSIR and Sasol Foundation teams.
- Possible mentorship from senior CSIR professionals.
Additional Benefits for Postgraduate Students
Master’s and PhD students may also receive:
- Experimental-cost funding of up to R35 000 per year.
- Access to laboratories at the CSIR and other institutions.
- National and international conference funding of up to R35 000 per year.
- Research-skills workshops.
- Academic-writing development.
- Thesis, dissertation and publication support.
- Printing-cost support.
- An opportunity to attend the CSIR Emerging Researchers Symposium.
- Research-presentation and networking opportunities.
Work-Back Requirement
After graduation, bursary recipients will be required to work for the CSIR.
The service obligation is:
One year of employment for every year of bursary funding received
Applicants should consider this work-back requirement before accepting a bursary offer.
The exact employment conditions will be contained in the bursary agreement.
Requirements for Current Matric Students
Current Grade 12 applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be unemployed.
- Be younger than 35 years.
- Be completing Matric in 2026.
- Intend to study full-time in an approved undergraduate field in 2027.
- Intend to enrol at a South African public university.
- Meet the minimum subject requirements.
Matric Academic Requirements
Current Matric students must achieve at least:
- Level 5 for English.
- Level 6 for Mathematics.
- Level 6 for Physical Science.
Applicants should ensure that they are taking Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy where the chosen qualification requires Mathematics.
Requirements for Current University Students
Current university students must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be unemployed.
- Be younger than 35 years.
- Be studying full-time.
- Be registered for an approved field.
- Have an overall academic average of at least 65%.
- Have passed all registered modules for the completed study period.
Applicants with failed or outstanding modules may not meet the stated eligibility requirements.
Requirements for Master’s and Doctoral Applicants
Master’s and doctoral applicants must also demonstrate:
- Strong scientific-writing ability.
- Excellent academic performance.
- Good organisational skills.
- Good time-management skills.
- Motivation to conduct research.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to work effectively in a team.
- Ability to formulate and conduct research.
- Strong technical ability.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to meet scheduled deliverables.
- Good verbal communication.
- Good written communication.
- Strong report-writing skills.
- Enthusiasm and self-motivation.
- Initiative and ownership.
- Eligibility for admission to the selected postgraduate programme.
Academic Performance Requirement
University applicants must maintain a minimum overall average of:
65%
The CSIR bursary is merit-based, and strong academic performance will be important during selection.
Applicants must also have passed all registered courses for the completed academic period.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must upload clear copies of:
- A certified South African identity document.
- An updated Curriculum Vitae.
- The latest academic record.
Master’s and doctoral applicants must also submit:
- Proof of a completed relevant degree.
Missing documents may result in the application being disqualified.
Curriculum Vitae Requirements
The CV should include:
- Full personal details.
- Current contact information.
- Education history.
- Current qualification.
- Academic achievements.
- Relevant technical skills.
- Research experience where applicable.
- Projects and publications.
- Leadership or extracurricular activities.
- Employment or vacation-work experience.
- References where requested.
Postgraduate applicants should include research experience, conference presentations and publications where applicable.
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to participate in an interview.
Applicants who do not receive feedback should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Selection may consider:
- Academic performance.
- Eligibility of the field of study.
- Research potential.
- Technical skills.
- Motivation.
- Alignment with CSIR priority areas.
- Availability of bursary funding.
- Completeness of the application.
How to Apply for the CSIR Bursary South Africa 2027
Applications must be submitted through the official CSIR Bursary Portal.
Click here to apply for the CSIR Bursary South Africa 2027
Applicants must first register an account before signing in and completing the application.
Applicants should also read the CSIR Bursary Guidelines for 2027 before submitting their applications.
Online Application Steps
Applicants should:
- Open the CSIR Bursary Portal.
- Register a new applicant account.
- Sign in using the registered details.
- Select the appropriate study level.
- Choose the relevant field of study.
- Complete all compulsory personal and academic sections.
- Upload the certified identity document.
- Upload an updated CV.
- Upload the latest academic record.
- Upload proof of a completed degree where applicable.
- Review the application carefully.
- Submit it before the closing date.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
15 September 2026
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Applicants should apply early to allow enough time to register, upload documents and correct any application errors.
Important Application Conditions
Applicants should note that:
- The bursary is intended for full-time unemployed students.
- Applicants must be South African citizens.
- Applicants must be younger than 35 years.
- University applicants require at least a 65% average.
- Matric applicants must meet the stated English, Mathematics and Physical Science requirements.
- All registered university modules must have been passed.
- Supporting documents are compulsory.
- Recipients will have a work-back obligation to the CSIR.
- Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee funding.
Important Application Checklist
Before submitting the application, confirm that:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You are unemployed.
- You are younger than 35 years.
- Your field of study is funded by the CSIR.
- You study or intend to study full-time.
- You attend or intend to attend a South African public university.
- You meet the academic requirements for your study level.
- You have passed all registered modules.
- Your identity document is certified.
- Your CV is updated.
- Your latest academic record is ready.
- Proof of your completed degree is attached where applicable.
- You understand the work-back requirement.
- You submit the online application by 15 September 2026.