DSI-CSIR: Bursaries 2025

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the 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: 31 August 2024 (at 12:00).

The bursary will be awarded for Postgraduate studies (Honours/ 4th year Engineering/ Postgraduate Diploma/ Masters/ Doctoral), in the following Thematic Research Focus Areas:

• Biocatalysis
• Biopharming
• Bioprocessing
• Health
• ICT
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
• Microsystems Technology
• Mining
• Modelling and Digital Sciences
• Titanium (Manufacturing Elements)
• Photonics
• Water Research

Read more about the Thematic Research Focus Areas on the DSI-CSIR Inter-Bursary Support Programme (IBS) General Guidelines (.pdf)

The Inter-Bursary Support (IBS) programme was established by the DSI in order to support capacity development in key and priority areas, as identified in key departmental strategies. The bursary is supported by the CSIR, with the aim of supporting development of skills in these areas.

The bursary value will be determined by the level of study:

• Honours, 4th year Engineering and Postgraduate Diploma students will receive cover up to R130 000 per annum.
• Masters students will receive cover up to R140 000 per annum.
• Doctoral students will receive cover up to R160 000 per annum.

Bursary recipients will also receive a once-off laptop allowance of R10 000.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within 2 months of the closing date – if you do not receive any feedback, please regard your application as unsuccessful.

Applicants are also able to check the status of their application by logging in to the application portal.

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):

• You may be a South African citizen OR a South African permanent resident
• You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards a postgraduate qualification in one of the Thematic areas listed above, in 2025
• You must be studying or accepted/ registered to study at a public university in South Africa
• You must NOT be receiving any other bursary funding
• Honours applicants: you must NOT be older than 28 years old and you must have achieved a minimum average of 65% for all major subjects in your final year of undergraduate study
• Masters applicants: you must NOT be older than 30 years old and you must have achieved a minimum average of 65% for all major subjects in your Honours level or final year of a 4 year degree
• Doctoral applicants: you must NOT be older than 32 years old and you must have achieved a minimum average of 65% at Masters level
• Masters and Doctoral applicants: you must have supervisor endorsement and motivation
• Preference will be given to students with disabilities and students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online at: DSI-CSIR Bursary Application 2025

All applicants will receive an email confirmation after their application has been received.
 

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, if a South African citizen (certified copy)
• Passport and proof of permanent residency, if an international student (certified copies)
• University degree certificate (certified copy)
• Full university transcript/ record (on institutions letterhead)
• Proof of university application or registration (on institutions letterhead)
• Recommendation letter from your Supervisor, if a Master’s or Doctoral applicant
• Admission letter showing full time registration, if available (successful applicants will be required to submit this)