The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) invites eligible postgraduate students to apply for the SANSA Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
Study Level: Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies
Bursary Value: Up to R170,000 per annum
About the SANSA Bursary Programme
The South African National Space Agency offers postgraduate bursaries to support students pursuing qualifications in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The programme supports Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies and is aimed at developing postgraduate skills relevant to South Africa’s science, engineering and space sectors.
Applicants must demonstrate academic potential, financial need and an interest in working within the space sector.
Fields of Study Covered
SANSA will award bursaries for postgraduate STEM qualifications, including but not limited to:
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Remote Sensing
- Applied Remote Sensing and GIS
- Botany
- Computer and Electronic Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Ecology and Resource Management
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Studies
- Environmental and Geographical Science
- Environmental Science
- Environmental and Water Science
- Environmental Geology
- Environmental Management
- Geographical and Environmental Science
- Geographical Information Systems
- Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
- Geographical Science
- Geography and Environmental Management
- Geography and Environmental Science
- Geography with Remote Sensing and/or GIS
- Geoinformatics
- GIS and Remote Sensing
- Information Systems
- Information Systems and Remote Sensing
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Physics
- Plant and Environmental Science
- Space Science
- Statistical Ecology
The programme is not necessarily limited to these fields, provided the proposed postgraduate qualification falls within the relevant STEM areas supported by SANSA.
SANSA Bursary Value for 2027
The amount awarded depends on the applicant’s level of postgraduate study:
| Level of Study | Bursary Value |
|---|---|
| Honours | R150,000 per annum |
| Master’s | R160,000 per annum |
| Doctoral | R170,000 per annum |
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be 32 years old or younger.
- Be studying or intending to study towards a postgraduate STEM qualification.
- Have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% in the most recent year of study or examination.
- Demonstrate strong academic potential.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Have an interest in working within the space sector.
Applicants should ensure that they meet the requirements before completing the online application.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit clear copies of the required supporting documents with their online application.
These include:
- ID document certified within the last three months, in PDF format.
- Complete university academic record from the first year of study, including final-year or mid-year 2026 results, in PDF format.
- Official undergraduate university student account statement or official letter confirming NSFAS funding for undergraduate study fees.
Master’s and Doctoral applicants must also submit:
- A completed SANSA testimonial from an education official, such as a lecturer or proposed supervisor.
Master’s applicants must submit:
- A draft research proposal of no more than 2 pages, signed and dated by both the applicant and proposed supervisor.
Doctoral applicants must submit:
- A draft research proposal of no more than 4 pages, signed and dated by both the applicant and proposed supervisor.
Missing compulsory documentation may result in an application not being considered.
How to Apply
Applications for the SANSA Bursary 2027 must be submitted online through the official SANSA bursary application system.
Click here to apply for the SANSA Bursary 2027
Applicants should complete the online application and upload all required supporting documents before 30 September 2026.
Contact SANSA
For enquiries regarding the bursary programme, applicants can contact SANSA at:
Email: grants@sansa.org.za
Meta Description
SANSA invites students to apply for Postgraduate Bursaries 2027 worth up to R170,000 per year for Honours, Master’s and Doctoral STEM studies. Applications close 30 September 2026.