CSIR Bursary 2026 – Closing Date: 29 August 2025 Apply Now!

Hey future scientists, engineers, and tech innovators! Are you dreaming of a career at the forefront of research and development in South Africa, but worried about how to fund your studies? Good news! The incredible **CSIR Bursary for 2026** is here, and it might just be the funding opportunity you’ve been searching for. Let’s dive into what makes this bursary a total game-changer!

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a powerhouse of science and technology in South Africa. They’re offering a fantastic merit-based bursary programme for the 2026 academic year. This bursary is specifically designed for full-time, unemployed South African students who are passionate about making a difference in fields critical to the CSIR’s mission, especially in research, technology development, innovation, and essential corporate support areas.

Who Can Apply?

Listen up! To be eligible for this awesome opportunity, you need to meet a few key requirements:

Undergraduate and Honours Applicants:

You must be a South African citizen.
You need to be under 35 years old.
You must be studying or planning to study full-time at a recognised public university in South Africa in 2026.
Your chosen qualification needs to be in one of the priority fields mentioned by CSIR (we’ll list them below!).
You must have an excellent academic record, with a minimum average of 65% from your undergraduate level to your current studies.
You must have passed all your university courses if you’re currently studying.
You must be currently unemployed.
Bonus points if you’re from a previously disadvantaged background or are an NSFAS holder – preference is given to you!

Masters and Doctoral Applicants:

You must be a South African citizen.
You need to be under 35 years old.
You must be planning to study full-time for a Master’s or Doctoral qualification in one of the listed fields in 2026.
You must meet your chosen university’s entry requirements for a Master’s or PhD bursary.
You must be enrolling at a recognised public university in South Africa.
An excellent academic record is a must, with a minimum average of 65% from undergraduate level to your current studies.
You must have passed all university courses you’ve registered for.
You must be currently unemployed.
They’re also looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals with good scientific writing, organisational, time management, and communication skills. You should also have a strong drive to conduct research, be able to work independently and in a team, and have excellent technical abilities.
Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds/NSFAS holders.

Here are some of the exciting fields of study that the CSIR is looking to fund:

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.

What Does It Cover?

This isn’t just a partial bursary; it’s a comprehensive package designed to support your academic journey! Here’s what the CSIR Bursary typically covers:

For Undergraduate and Honours level: Your registration fees, tuition fees, a generous book allowance, a once-off laptop allowance, accommodation, and a living allowance.
For Masters and Doctoral level: Registration fees, tuition fees, a once-off laptop allowance, and a living allowance.

But wait, there’s more! CSIR goes the extra mile to support their bursary recipients:

For All Students:

**Psychosocial support:** Get academic and psychological support when you need it.
**Student wellness programme:** Because your well-being matters!
**Vacation work opportunities:** Gain real-world experience, up to 6 weeks per year.
**Real-life projects:** Work on exciting projects that tackle South Africa’s socio-economic challenges (with CSIR co-supervision for your research).
**Potential work placement:** Opportunities at the CSIR or related organisations after you graduate.
**Excellence Awards:** Get recognized for being a top-performing student with certificates and gifts!
**Interview skills training:** Get prepped for the working world in your final year.
**Onboarding session:** Meet the CSIR and Sasol Foundation team!
**Mentorship:** Potentially get paired with senior CSIR professionals to guide you.

For Postgraduate Students Only:

**Experimental costs funding:** Access to laboratories at CSIR and other institutions (capped at R35 000 per annum).
**Conference attendance funding:** Opportunities to attend national and international conferences (capped at R35 000 per annum).
**Research skills training workshops:** Boost your academic writing skills!
**Thesis/dissertation/research publications and printing costs funding.**
**CSIR Emerging Researchers Symposium:** Showcase your research project and network with experts!

After you graduate, there’s a commitment: you’ll be required to work for CSIR for one year for every year of funding you received. It’s a fantastic way to kickstart your career and contribute to national development!

How to Apply?

Feeling excited? Awesome! Applying is the next step to unlocking your future with CSIR. Make sure you have all your documents ready and apply online through their official portal:

Click Here to Apply for the CSIR Bursary 2026!

If this sounds like the perfect bursary to fuel your academic dreams and launch your career in science and technology, don’t wait — the **closing date is 29 August 2025!** Apply now and remember to explore more amazing bursaries right here on Bursaries Room!