South Africa needs an increase in science and engineering graduates if we are to effectively resource the country with necessary and scarce skills to achieve goals of the National Development Plan and ensure a successful and sustainable future for our citizens. SANSA provides post graduate degree bursaries to contribute to the national target for qualified post-graduates in science and engineering.

SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2025

Bursary criteria

The main criteria used in the selection of successful applicants are financial need, academic potential and career-oriented study programmes.

Please note the following:

  • You should upload your FULL academic record as well as your fee statement for ALL study years.
  • An application will only be considered if it has been completed properly and in full.
  • Documents that accompany the application form must be uploaded and certified.
  • SANSA or university testimonial forms must be completed by the supervisor and uploaded to the application form.

We are currently revising the bursary values which may change for 2025 and these will be communicated in due course. We fund the individual programmes as follow:

  • Honours – one year @ R130 000
  • Masters – two years @ R140 000
  • Doctorate – three years @ R160 000 

Masters and doctoral bursars MUST reapply every year for continued funding.

Applicants may only hold a merit award and not a combination of bursaries that exceed the amounts above.

Should an applicant have another bursary of lessor amount, SANSA will consider providing a top-up bursary amount to the student provided the student meets the criteria mentioned above.

Support for continuing years is not guaranteed and will depend on satisfactory progress during the previous year.

The completed application must be submitted no later than 30 September 2024 if you want to be considered for a bursary for 2025.

All enquiries to be sent to grants@sansa.org.za