The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) bursary program in South Africa typically has specific eligibility criteria. In order to continue to achieve their goals, CSIR bursaries are offered to individuals who are bright, passionate about research, and committed to the pursuit of innovation as well as excellence. The bursary is open to academically qualifying young people and aims to attract and increase participation of women and black people in science, engineering and technology, specifically in the areas mentioned below:
Areas for undergraduate Bursary
- Data Science
- Mechanical Engineering
Areas for Honours Bursary
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Occupational Hygiene
Areas for Masters Bursary
- Agricultural Sciences – Crop Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Bio-medical Biology
- Biotechnology
- Civil Engineering
- Computational Biology
- Computer Science
- Computational and Applied Mathematics
- Computer Engineering
- Data Science
- Economics and Social Science
- Economics and Public Policy
- Electronic Engineering
- Geoinformatics
- International Relations
- Laser Physics
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Robotics
- Science Communications
- Statistics
- Software Engineering
Areas for Doctoral Bursary
- Applied Mathematics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Aquaculture
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Computer Science and Applied Mathematics
- Data Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Geo-Informatics
- Geo-Information Science – Remote Sensing/Data Analytics/Modelling
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Laser Physics
- Medical Microbiology
- Medical Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Physics
- Software Engineering
- Veterinary Science
- Virology
For undergraduate – Honours Bursary
- South African citizen
- Must intend to enrol full-time for the degree of choice at a South African public university
- English (Level 5)
- Mathematics (Level 6)
- Physical Science (Level 6)
Current university students
- Must be a South African citizen
- Planning to enroll full-time at a South African University for 2024
- Must have passed all the courses for which you have registered for at the university for the study period already completed
For a Masters and Doctoral bursary, applicants should be South African citizens who possess the following:
- Good scientific writing skills;
- Good organisational and time management skills;
- Excellent academic record;
- A drive to conduct research, self-motivation and the ability to work independently and within a team are essential;
- The ability to formulate and carry out research;
- Excellent technical abilities;
- The ability to work well under pressure as part of a team and meet scheduled deliverables; Good communication skills both verbal and writing (e.g. with evidence of report and/or conference papers writing); and
- Good report writing abilities.
Furthermore, the ideal candidate is an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual who takes ownership and initiative. He/she must also meet the entry requirements for Masters or PhD’s bursary at the selected university.
Your Application must be accompanied by the following documents:
- An updated CV;
- A copy of your certified identity document; and
- A copy of your latest academic record
- For masters and doctoral applicants, proof of degree already completed must be included
Failure to attach these documents will result in your application being null and void.
This is a comprehensive bursary, and it covers all the costs associated with university studies, such as:
For undergraduates – Honours
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Books
- Accommodation
- Living Allowances
- Once off laptop allowance
For Maters and Doctoral
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Living Allowances
- Once off laptop allowance
Academic merit will be considered during the selection process, as well as the imperative to increase the participation of women and black people in science, engineering and technology.
For more information on the CSIR bursary, please contact CSIR recruitment centre:
Tel: +27(12) 841 7518
Email: bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za