The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa invites qualifying students to apply for the IMESA Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 15 September 2026
Bursary Location: ECSA-accredited tertiary institutions in South Africa
IMESA Bursary Programme 2027
The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa is offering bursary funding to students pursuing Civil Engineering and related infrastructure engineering qualifications.
IMESA offers two bursary categories:
- Bursary Scheme A for students who are not IMESA members.
- Bursary Scheme B for children or dependants of qualifying IMESA members.
Applicants must have completed their first year of study and must be entering their second year or a higher level of study during the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Programme Overview
Bursary provider: Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa
Abbreviation: IMESA
Academic year: 2027
Primary field: Civil Engineering
Maximum bursary value: R50 000
Expenses covered: Tuition fees and prescribed books
Study mode: Full-time
Study level: Second year or higher
Institution requirement: ECSA-accredited South African tertiary institution
Closing date: 15 September 2026
Application method: Email
Fields of Study Covered
The IMESA bursary primarily supports studies in:
- Civil Engineering
- Related infrastructure engineering disciplines
Other engineering disciplines may be considered at the discretion of the IMESA Executive Council.
Applicants studying outside Civil Engineering or infrastructure-related engineering should not assume that they will qualify, as approval for other disciplines is discretionary.
Types of IMESA Bursaries
IMESA offers two bursary schemes for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Scheme A
Scheme A is intended for students who are not members or dependants of members of IMESA.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need and show that they would not be able to continue their studies without bursary assistance.
Bursary Scheme B
Scheme B is intended for children or dependants of IMESA members.
The relevant IMESA member must have held membership for at least five years.
Financial need is not listed as a compulsory requirement for Scheme B in the supplied information.
IMESA Bursary Value
The bursary will provide funding of up to:
R50 000
Funding is limited to:
- Tuition fees
- Books
The bursary does not confirm funding for:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transport
- Registration fees
- Study equipment
- Personal allowances
- Electronic devices
Applicants should not assume that expenses not expressly listed will be covered.
How the Bursary Funding Is Paid
Bursary funding will be paid directly to the tertiary institution where the recipient is registered.
Payment will generally be made within 60 days after IMESA receives the student’s account statement, unless another arrangement is agreed upon between the student and an IMESA representative.
Before the first bursary payment is made, successful students must provide:
- Proof of enrolment for the relevant qualification.
- A medical certificate.
Eligibility Requirements for Bursary Scheme A
Applicants applying under Scheme A must:
- Be studying full-time.
- Be pursuing a Civil Engineering degree or related infrastructure engineering qualification.
- Have completed their first year of study.
- Be entering their second year or a higher year of study in 2027.
- Study at an ECSA-accredited tertiary institution in South Africa.
- Demonstrate genuine financial need.
- Be unable to fund their studies without bursary assistance.
Failure to meet all the minimum requirements may result in the application not being considered.
Eligibility Requirements for Bursary Scheme B
Applicants applying under Scheme B must:
- Be a child or dependant of an IMESA member.
- Have an IMESA member as a parent or guardian who has held membership for at least five years.
- Be studying full-time.
- Be pursuing a Civil Engineering degree or related infrastructure engineering qualification.
- Have completed their first year of study.
- Be entering their second year or a higher year of study in 2027.
- Study at an ECSA-accredited tertiary institution in South Africa.
Academic Year Requirement
Applicants must already have completed their first year of tertiary study.
The bursary is therefore intended for students entering:
- Second year
- Third year
- Fourth year
- A higher applicable year of study
First-year students beginning tertiary studies in 2027 do not meet the stated requirement.
ECSA Accreditation Requirement
Applicants must be registered at a South African tertiary institution offering an Engineering Council of South Africa-accredited programme.
Students should confirm that their specific qualification is accredited rather than assuming that accreditation applies to every engineering course offered by the institution.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit clear copies of the following documents:
- Completed IMESA bursary application form.
- Certified copy of the applicant’s identity document.
- Certified copy of the 2026 mid-year examination results.
- A signed statement from the tertiary institution confirming academic progress during the first year.
- An affidavit confirming the monthly income of the applicant’s parents or guardians.
- An affidavit explaining the applicant’s financial circumstances.
Missing documents may result in disqualification.
Academic Progress Statement
Applicants must obtain a signed statement from their tertiary institution confirming their academic progress.
The statement should ideally include:
- The student’s full name.
- Student number.
- Qualification title.
- Current year of study.
- Confirmation that the first year was completed.
- Academic progress information.
- The institution’s official details.
- The signature of an authorised official.
Financial Information Affidavit
Applicants must provide an affidavit declaring:
- Their parents’ or guardians’ monthly income.
- Their household financial situation.
- Any circumstances affecting their ability to pay for their studies.
- Other financial support available to them.
The information supplied must be truthful and complete.
Other Bursaries and Funding
Applicants must inform IMESA about any other bursary funding they have received.
Other funding will be considered before IMESA makes a final bursary award.
Receiving another bursary does not automatically mean that an application will be unsuccessful, but applicants must disclose all financial support honestly.
Mentorship and IMESA Activities
Successful bursary recipients will be assigned a mentor.
Students will also be encouraged to participate in IMESA activities, which may provide exposure to:
- Municipal engineering.
- Professional networking.
- Local-government infrastructure.
- Engineering industry events.
- Career-development opportunities.
- Experienced engineering professionals.
Selection Process
All applications will undergo a full evaluation before bursaries are awarded.
The selection process may consider:
- Academic performance.
- Compliance with eligibility requirements.
- Financial need for Scheme A applicants.
- IMESA membership status for Scheme B applicants.
- Completeness of supporting documents.
- Relevance of the qualification.
- Availability of bursary funding.
Successful applicants are expected to be notified by the end of 2026.
Employment After Graduation
The IMESA bursary does not guarantee employment after graduation.
Recipients may, however, be encouraged to pursue careers in local government where possible.
Students should not interpret the bursary award as an offer of permanent employment with IMESA or a municipality.
How to Apply for the IMESA Bursary South Africa 2027
Applicants must download and complete the correct application form for their bursary category:
- IMESA Bursary Scheme A application form for non-members.
- IMESA Bursary Scheme B application form for dependants of IMESA members.
Completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted by email.
Click here to apply for the IMESA Bursary South Africa 2027
Application email: bursaries@imesa.org.za
Scheme A applicants should use the following email subject:
IMESA Bursary Application (Scheme A)
Scheme B applicants should use:
IMESA Bursary Application (Scheme B)
Applicants should attach the completed form and all compulsory supporting documents before sending the email.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
15 September 2026
Applications submitted after the closing date will not be accepted.
Applicants should apply early to allow enough time to obtain certified documents, academic statements and the required affidavit.
IMESA Bursary Enquiries
Questions about the bursary may be directed to IMESA:
Telephone: 031 266 3263
Email: bursaries@imesa.org.za
Important Application Checklist
Before submitting the application, confirm that:
- You selected the correct bursary scheme.
- You completed the correct application form.
- You are studying Civil Engineering or a related infrastructure engineering discipline.
- You completed your first year of study.
- You will enter your second year or higher in 2027.
- Your programme is ECSA accredited.
- Your identity document is certified.
- Your 2026 mid-year results are certified.
- Your academic progress statement is attached.
- Your financial affidavit is attached.
- You disclosed any other bursary funding.
- You used the correct email subject line.
- Your application is submitted by 15 September 2026.