Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): Bursaries 2025
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invites students to submit applications for the Bursary Programme for the academic year 2025.
Bursary application closing date: 30 September 2024
Bursaries will be awarded for Postgraduate (Honours, MSc and PhD), in these fields:
Honours studies:
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Genetics/ Cell Biology
- Information Systems
- Physics
Masters studies:
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Animal Health
- Aquaculture
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Biotechnology
- Civil/ Water Engineering
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Data Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Flow Chemistry
- Information Systems
- Mathematics
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Physics
- Virology
Doctoral studies:
- Animal Health
- Aquaculture
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Flow Chemistry
- Genetics/ Cell Biology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgy/ Powder Metallurgy
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Physics
- Physiology
- Process Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Virology
The CSIR bursary is merit based and is aimed at full-time, unemployed students who are pursuing qualifications in areas that are deemed a priority by the CSIR (research, technology development and innovation as well as corporate/support areas). The bursary aims to attract suitably qualified applicants, and encourages females, black students and those living with disabilities to apply.
The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses:
- Honours level: registration fees, tuition fees, books, once-off laptop allowance, accommodation and a living allowance.
- Masters and Doctoral level: registration fees, tuition fees, once-off laptop allowance and a living allowance.
Bursary recipients will also receive full support and the opportunity to partake in vacation work.
After graduation, bursary recipients will be required to work for CSIR – one year of employment for every year of funding received
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to attend an interview – candidates who do not receive any feedback, should regard their bursary application as unsuccessful.
Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
Honours studies:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards a qualification in one of the fields listed above, in 2025
- You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised public University in South Africa
- You must have passed all university courses you have registered for, for the study period completed (if currently studying)
- You must be currently unemployed
Masters and Doctoral applicants:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must intend on studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the Masters or Doctoral fields listed above, in 2025
- You must meet the entry requirements for a master’s or PhD bursary at the selected university
- You must intend on enrolling and studying at a recognised public University in South Africa
- You must have passed all university courses you have registered for, for the study period completed
- You must be currently unemployed
- You must be enthusiastic and self-motivated
- You must take ownership and initiative
- You must have good scientific writing skills
- You must have good organisational skills
- You must have good time management skills
- You must have good communication skills – verbal and writing
- You must have good report writing abilities
- You must have an excellent academic record
- You must have a drive to conduct research
- You must be self-motivated
- You must be able to work independently and within a team
- You must be able to formulate and carry out research
- You must have excellent technical abilities
- You must be able to work well under pressure
- You must be able to meet scheduled deliverables
How to apply
Applications must be submitted online at: CSIR Bursary Application 2025
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- ID document (certified copy)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Latest academic record
- Master’s and Doctoral students: proof of a degree already completed