CSIR Bursary

CSIR Bursary South Africa 2026 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 2026 academic year . Bursaries will be awarded for Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Honours, MSc and PhD) , in the following fields: 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 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. ** RELATED BURSARIES ** 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: Undergraduate and 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. Students will also receive the following benefits: All students: Psychosocial support (e.g. academic and psychological support) Student wellness programme Vacation work opportunities, of up to 6 weeks per annum Opportunity to work on real-life projects that address socioeconomic challenges through your research (CSIR co-supervision) Potential work placement opportunities at the CSIR and other related organisations Awards for top performing students – CSIR Excellence Awards, certificates and other gifts Interview skills training for final year students, to prepare for the working world Onboarding session and a chance to meet the CSIR and Sasol Foundation team Possible pairing with senior CSIR professionals through a mentorship programme Postgraduate students only: Experimental costs funding, for access to laboratories at CSIR and other institutions (capped at R35 000 per annum) National and international conference attendance funding opportunity (capped at R35 000 per annum) Research skills training workshops to improve academic writing skills Thesis/ dissertation/ research publications and printing costs funding Opportunity to attend CSIR Emerging Researchers Symposium – Showcase research project and networking 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. www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the CSIR Bursary. 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): Undergraduate and Honours applicants: You must be a South African citizen You must be below 35 years old You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards a qualification in one of the fields listed above, in 2026 You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised public University in South Africa You must have an excellent academic record, with a minimum average of 65% from undergraduate level to the current level You must have passed all university courses you have registered for, for the study period completed (if currently studying) You must be currently unemployed Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds/ NSFAS holders Masters and Doctoral applicants: You must be a South African citizen You must be below 35 years old You must intend on studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the Masters or Doctoral fields listed above, in 2026 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 an excellent academic record, with a minimum average of 65% from undergraduate level to the current level 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 Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds/ NSFAS holders HOW TO APPLY FOR THE CSIR BURSARY Applications must be submitted online at: CSIR Bursary Application 2026 Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the CSIR bursary. 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) Updated Curriculum Vitae Latest academic record Master’s and Doctoral students: proof of a degree already completed CLOSING DATE FOR THE CSIR BURSARY 29 August 2025. (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: Bursary Programme team Tel: 012 841 2616 Email: bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za Please do NOT contact the CSIR if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/ This bursary listing was last updated in August 2025. SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.

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