CSIR Bursary South Africa 2025
ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – CSIR
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), established in the year 1945, is a the premier and central research and development organisation in South Africa. The CSIR is an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation – a South African government department responsible for scientific research, including space programmes.
The CSIR is the largest research and development organisation in Africa, covering approximately 10% of the whole African African R&D budget.
The CSIR’s 7 main focus areas include: Industry, Energy, Natural Environment, Built Environment, Digital Environment, Health and Defence and Security. The company is based in the city of Pretoria, on its own campus and has a staff base of around 3000 scientific and technical researchers.
ABOUT THE CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2025 academic year.
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Genetics/ Cell Biology
- Information Systems
- Physics
Masters studies:
- Aeronautical Engineering
- 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.
- View our other Engineering Bursaries and Scholarships here.
- View our other Science Bursaries and Scholarships here.
- View our other Postgraduate Bursaries and Scholarships here.
- View our other Bursaries and Scholarships OPEN for application here.
MORE ABOUT THE CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – EXPENSED COVERED & OTHER BENEFITS
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.
MORE ABOUT THE CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – SERVICE CONTRACT & SELECTION
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.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CSIR BURSARY
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 FOR THE CSIR BURSARY
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):
- ID document (certified copy)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Latest academic record
- Master’s and Doctoral students: proof of a degree already completed
CLOSING DATE FOR THE CSIR BURSARY
30 September 2024.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact CSIR directly:
Recruitment Centre
Tel: 012 841 3256
Email: bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za
or contact Excel@Uni (the administrators for this bursary)
Email: hello@excelatuni.com
This bursary listing was last updated in September 2024.