The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have opened their 2025/2026 Bursary program and are inviting postgraduate students to apply. All interested applicants should apply using the details below.

Inter-Bursary Support (IBS) programme was established by the DSI in order to support capacity development in key and priority areas, as identified in key departmental strategies. The bursary is supported by the CSIR, with the aim of supporting development of skills in these areas.
 

Bursaries will be awarded for the following Thematic Research Focus Areas:

• Aerospace
• Biotechnology (Biopharming, Bio-processing and Bio-catalysis)
• Composites
• Health
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) – (Bioprospecting research, product and process development)
• Information and Communications Technology
• Microsystems Technology
• Modelling and Digital Sciences (data science, biometrics, cybersecurity etc)
• Photonics (free space communication, fibre-optics, laser welding and optics)
• Titanium (manufacturing elements)

The bursary will also cover Honours, 4th year Engineering or Postgraduate Diploma studies in:

• Biotechnology and related majors
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Engineering and related majors (Electrical and Computer, Electronic, Metallurgical, Aeronautical Engineering, etc)
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Health (Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, etc)
• ICT (Information Systems, Information Technology, Data Science, Computer Science, Information Systems Management, GIS, etc)
• IKS (Indigenous Knowledge Systems)
• Physics
• Pure Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
• Statistics or Mathematical Statistics

MORE ABOUT THE CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE & SELECTION

The bursary value will be determined by the level of study:

• Honours, 4th year Engineering and Postgraduate Diploma students will receive cover up to R100 000 per annum.
• Masters students will receive cover up to R120 000 per annum.
• Doctoral students will receive cover up to R140 000 per annum.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within 2 months of the closing date (ie no later than 31 October 2025/2026).
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DSI-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):

• You must be a South African citizen OR a South African permanent resident
• You must be studying or intend on studying full-time towards one of the aforementioned postgraduate qualifications
• You must be studying or intend on studying towards a degrees that is aligned to specific thematic research areas and research themes/ technology streams
• You must be studying at a public university in South Africa
• You must NOT be employed on a full-time basis
• Preference will be given to students with disabilities and students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE DSI-CSIR BURSARY

Applications must be done online at: DSI-CSIR Bursary Application 2025/2026

All applicants will receive an email confirmation after their application has been received.

Candidates must download and read the DSI-CSIR Inter-Bursary Support Programme (IBS) General Guidelines (.pdf) before applying.
 

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):

• South African ID document (certified copy)
• Passport and proof of Permanent Residency, if an international student (certified copies)
• University degree certificate (certified copy)
• Full and most recent university transcript/ record, if currently studying (on institutions letterhead)
• Proof of university application or registration (on institutions letterhead)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Recommendation letter/ endorsement from your Supervisor, if a Master’s or Doctoral applicant
• Fees Statement or NSFAS Contract, if applicable

CLOSING DATE FOR THE THE DSI-CSIR BURSARY

31 August 2025/2026.
(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 the CSIR IBS team directly:
Email: hcd-interbursary@csir.co.za