CSIR: Bursaries 2026

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2026 academic year. 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).

Bursaries will be awarded for Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Honours, MSc and PhD), in the following fields:
 

Undergraduate studies:

• Aeronautical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Electronic Engineering
• Genetics/ Cell Biology
• Industrial Engineering
• Information Technology
• Material Flow Analysis
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronic Engineering
• Process Engineering / Life Cycle Assessment
• System Engineering

Honours studies:

• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Electronic Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Information Systems
• Information Technology
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Physics
• Welding Engineering

Masters studies:

• Applied Mathematics
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Biophotonics
• Biophysics
• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computation Modelling
• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering
• Data Science
• Electronic Engineering
• Engineering Physics
• Environmental Science
• Flow Chemistry
• Food Science
• Food Technology
• Genetics/ Cell Biology
• Industrial Engineering
• Information Systems
• Information Technology
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Mechatronic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Material Flow Analysis
• Materials Engineering
• Microbiology
• Organic Chemistry
• Pharmacology
• Physiology
• Physics
• Process Engineering
• System Engineering
• Welding Engineering

Doctoral studies:

• Animal Health
• Applied Metallurgy
• Aquaculture
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Biophotonics
• Biophysics
• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computation Modelling
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Electronic Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Flow Chemistry
• Food Technology
• Food Science
• Genetics/ Cell Biology
• Immunology
• Industrial Engineering
• Information Systems
• Information Technology
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Material Flow Analysis
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Metallurgy/ Powder Metallurgy
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Organic Chemistry
• Physics
• Process Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Virology
• Welding Engineering

The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses:

• Undergraduate and 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.

Students will also receive the following benefits:
 

All students:

• Psychosocial support (e.g. academic and psychological support)
• Student wellness programme
• Vacation work opportunities, of up to 6 weeks per annum
• Opportunity to work on real-life projects that address socioeconomic challenges through your research (CSIR co-supervision)
• Potential work placement opportunities at the CSIR and other related organisations
• Awards for top performing students – CSIR Excellence Awards, certificates and other gifts
• Interview skills training for final year students, to prepare for the working world
• Onboarding session and a chance to meet the CSIR and Sasol Foundation team
• Possible pairing with senior CSIR professionals through a mentorship programme

Postgraduate students only:

• Experimental costs funding, for access to laboratories at CSIR and other institutions (capped at R35 000 per annum)
• National and international conference attendance funding opportunity (capped at R35 000 per annum)
• Research skills training workshops to improve academic writing skills
• Thesis/ dissertation/ research publications and printing costs funding
• Opportunity to attend CSIR Emerging Researchers Symposium – Showcase research project and networking

After graduation, bursary recipients will be required to work for CSIR – one year of employment for every year of funding received.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying:

Undergraduate and Honours applicants:

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be below 35 years old
• You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards a qualification in one of the fields listed above, in 2026
• You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised public University in South Africa
• You must have an excellent academic record, with a minimum average of 65% from undergraduate level to the current level
• You must have passed all university courses you have registered for, for the study period completed (if currently studying)
• You must be currently unemployed
• Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds/ NSFAS holders

Masters and Doctoral applicants:

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be below 35 years old
• You must intend on studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the Masters or Doctoral fields listed above, in 2026
• 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 an excellent academic record, with a minimum average of 65% from undergraduate level to the current level
• 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
• Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds/ NSFAS holders