South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) invites eligible students to apply for the SARAO Freestanding Honours Scholarships 2027.
Scholarship Application Closing Date: 31 August 2026
Scholarship Location: South African Universities
About SARAO Freestanding Honours Scholarships 2027
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is inviting applications for the SARAO Freestanding Honours Scholarships for 2027.
The scholarship is aimed at students who wish to study towards a BSc Honours degree in Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Computer Science and Mathematics at a South African university.
Who Can Apply?
SARAO will consider applications from:
- South African citizens
- South African permanent residents
- Citizens of Botswana
- Citizens of Ghana
- Citizens of Kenya
- Citizens of Madagascar
- Citizens of Mauritius
- Citizens of Mozambique
- Citizens of Namibia
- Citizens of Zambia
Eligible Undergraduate Degrees
Applicants must have completed one of the following BSc degrees in 2025, or be completing one of these degrees in 2026:
- Physics and Mathematics up to third-year level
- Astronomy / Astrophysics, with Physics and Mathematics up to at least second-year level
- Computer Science and Mathematics up to third-year level
Minimum Academic Requirements
Applicants must have achieved a minimum average of 65% for one of the eligible BSc degrees.
Students who are still completing their BSc degree will be evaluated based on their most recent university results. Only students with a minimum average of 65% in their latest university results will be considered.
Students who receive a scholarship offer based on current results but fail to achieve a minimum average of 65% upon completion of their degree may have the scholarship offer revoked.
Students whose universities provide results as symbols, such as A, B or C, must provide SARAO with the equivalent percentage for each course.
Eligible Honours Programmes
SARAO will only consider applications from students who wish to study towards a BSc Honours degree in:
- Physics
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Computer Science and Mathematics
The Honours degree must be completed at a South African university.
Scholarship Value
The 2027 SARAO Honours Scholarship is valued at:
- R190 000 for the honours scholarship
- R15 000 once-off laptop grant
The duration of the SARAO Honours Scholarship is one year.
SARAO may provide two years of funding to students who are accepted for the NASSP Extended Honours in Astronomy course.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must upload all four required documents in the attachments section of the online application form.
The required documents are:
- Identity document or passport
- University academic results
- Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of motivation
Identity Document or Passport
South African citizens and permanent residents must submit a copy of their South African ID.
Non-South African applicants must submit a copy of their passport.
University Results
Applicants must submit all university academic results from the start of their studies until the current year.
Where relevant, applicants must also submit results for all other degrees completed to date.
All results per degree or qualification must be attached as one PDF document.
Letter of Motivation
Applicants must submit a motivation letter of about 750 words explaining why they should be awarded a SARAO Honours Scholarship.
The motivation letter should include:
- Academic progress at undergraduate level
- Undergraduate courses that interested the applicant most and why
- Details of academic achievements
- Why the applicant wants to study the selected Honours degree
- How the degree is relevant to a career in radio astronomy
- Personal strengths, passions and career aspirations
- Other achievements and interests beyond studies
- Community outreach work, where applicable
SARAO states that the motivation letter is critical for the review of the application and may be a deciding factor in whether an applicant is awarded a scholarship.
Letters of Reference
Applicants must be supported by two letters of reference.
One of the two reference letters should be written by a university lecturer.
Family members and friends may not write reference letters on behalf of applicants.
Referees must send reference letters directly to:
Reference letters must be submitted before 31 August 2026.
What Reference Letters Should Include
Referees should include the following information:
- How the referee knows the applicant
- How long the referee has known the applicant
- Applicant’s academic performance and attitude towards studies
- Applicant’s potential to succeed at Honours level
- Notable attributes, skills or accomplishments observed by the referee
- Any other relevant information that may support the application
How to apply
Click here to apply for SARAO Freestanding Honours Scholarships 2027
Applicants must complete the online application form on NRF Connect.
To apply:
- Complete the Profile section first
- Go to “My Applications”
- Select “NRF Postgraduate Scholarships”
- Select “SARAO Honours Scholarship”
- Upload all required supporting documents
- Submit the application before the closing date
Students may only submit one application.
Enquiries
For enquiries regarding SARAO Freestanding Honours Scholarships, contact:
Contact Person: Mkhululi Jodwana
Telephone: 011 268 3412
Email: mjodwana@sarao.ac.za
Important Notes
Applications must be submitted on or before 31 August 2026.
Applications without all four required supporting documents will not be considered.
Applications without two letters of reference will not be considered.
Applicants are encouraged to read the full application guide before applying.