The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has opened its 2025/2026 academic year Bursary application and is inviting all interested applicants to apply Now.

This bursary will provide full cover for tuition fees and prescribed books, as well as accommodation (capped at R50 000, where applicable) and meals (capped at R18 500, where applicable). All funding will be paid directly to the tertiary institution. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), is one of the South African government departments, whose main objective is to ensure that a better life is built for all South Africans. Closing Date: 25 February 2025/2026.

Bursaries are available for Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies within heritage-related programmes, specifically these fields:

• Anthropology (including Forensic Anthropology)
• Archaeology (Marine and Underwater Cultural Heritage, Forensic, etc)
• Archives and Records Management
• Conservation of the Built Environment
• Conservation and Preventive Conservation
• Collections (Cultural & Natural) Management (Not Nature Conservation)
• Heritage Resources Management
• Palaeontology
• Museum Studies or Management and Curatorship
• IKS or Courses that contribute to the preservation and promotion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and S.A. Living Heritage

BURSARY REQUIREMENTS:

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 Africa citizen
• You must be 40 years old or younger
• You must be studying or intend on studying towards an Undergraduate or Postgraduate qualification, in one of the heritage related programmes listed above
• You must be studying or have been accepted to study at an institution that is accredited and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must NOT be currently full-time employed within the private sector, government or state agencies
• You must NOT earn more than R130 000 per annum

BURSARY COVERAGE:

This bursary will provide full cover for tuition fees and prescribed books, as well as accommodation (capped at R50 000, where applicable) and meals (capped at R18 500, where applicable). All funding will be paid directly to the tertiary institution.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:

Download and complete the DSAC Bursary Application Form 2025/2026 (.docx)

Candidates must submit their application via their institutions bursary/ financial aid office. Students must NOT apply directly to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Institutions will be required to submit applications to Reinettes@dsac.gov.za and Maanom@dsac.gov.za

Supporting Documents

Applicants must submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with their application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• 2025/2026 end of year results (certified copy)
• Postgraduate students: progress report from supervisor, if writing a dissertation or thesis (on university letterhead)