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):