SANSA Bursary

The SANSA Bursary 2027 is a postgraduate funding programme offered by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) to support students pursuing STEM qualifications that contribute to South Africa’s science, engineering, technology and space capabilities. The programme supports Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies in a wide range of fields linked to SANSA’s Earth Observation, Space Engineering and Space Science areas.

If you are searching for the SANSA Bursary 2027, this guide explains the fields of study covered, SANSA bursary requirements, undergraduate versus postgraduate eligibility, funding amounts, monthly allowance information, the online application process, documents required, the closing date and SANSA contact details.

Is the SANSA Bursary Open for 2027? Yes. SANSA announced in June 2026 that applications for its 2027 Postgraduate Bursary Programme were open. SANSA’s current bursary page also directs students to the 2027 application portal. The published 2027 closing date is 30 September 2026.

Which Fields of Study Does the SANSA Bursary Fund?

The SANSA Bursary 2027 supports postgraduate studies in STEM fields that are relevant to SANSA’s research and operational areas. SANSA states that the list is not limited to the qualifications shown on its bursary page.

The current SANSA list includes fields in Earth Observation, Space Engineering and Space Science, as well as related science, technology and engineering disciplines.

• Applied Mathematics
• Applied Remote Sensing
• Applied Remote Sensing and GIS
• Botany
• Computer and Electronic Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Ecology and Resource Management
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Energy Studies
• Environmental and Geographical Science
• Environmental and Water Science
• Environmental Geology
• Environmental Management
• Environmental Science
• Geographical Information Systems
• Geographical and Environmental Science
• Geographical Science
• Geography and Environmental Management
• Geography with Remote Sensing and/or GIS
• Geoinformatics
• GIS and Remote Sensing
• Information Systems
• Information Systems and Remote Sensing
• Information Technology
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Physics
• Plant and Environmental Science
• Space Science
• Statistical Ecology

SANSA’s official list groups qualifications according to its Earth Observation (EO), Space Engineering (SE) and Space Science (SS) areas. The agency also states that the fields listed are not exhaustive.

This means that a qualification does not necessarily have to contain the word “space” to be relevant. For example, SANSA’s 2027 list includes fields such as Environmental Science, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Information Technology and Geoinformatics because these disciplines contribute to broader scientific and technological capabilities.

What Are the SANSA Bursary Requirements?

Applicants for the SANSA Bursary 2027 must meet the academic, citizenship, study-level and documentation requirements of the programme. The most important confirmed requirements include:

• Applicants must be South African citizens.
• Applicants must be pursuing a relevant postgraduate STEM qualification.
• The bursary supports Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies.
• Applicants must have achieved at least a 65% academic average in their last year of study or last examination.
• The proposed qualification must be relevant to SANSA’s science, engineering, technology or space-related research areas.
• Applicants must submit the required supporting documentation.
• Master’s and Doctoral applicants must provide additional research-related documentation.
• Applicants must study at a recognised South African university.

SANSA specifically states that applicants with an academic average of less than 65% for their last year of studies or last examination will not be considered. It also warns that incomplete applications and password-protected or encrypted documents will be treated as incomplete.

Is There an Age Limit for the SANSA Bursary?

Several 2027 bursary listings state that applicants must be 32 years old or younger. However, this age requirement is not displayed on SANSA’s current 2027 bursary page or live application portal that we could verify. For this reason, applicants should treat the age limit as a requirement reported by secondary bursary sources and confirm it with SANSA if they are over 32.

Does the SANSA Bursary Require Financial Need?

Some 2027 third-party listings identify proven financial need as part of the eligibility criteria. SANSA’s current 2027 bursary page, however, does not explicitly list a household-income threshold or a specific financial-need test. The application does ask applicants to provide information about other bursaries and family circumstances, so applicants should provide accurate financial and funding information when requested.

Is the SANSA Bursary for Undergraduate or Postgraduate Students?

The SANSA Bursary 2027 is primarily a postgraduate bursary. SANSA’s current bursary information states that it provides bursaries to Bachelor of Science and engineering students who are pursuing Honours, Master’s or Doctoral qualifications.

Can Honours Students Apply for the SANSA Bursary?

Yes. Honours is one of the study levels supported by the 2027 SANSA Bursary. The current application portal specifically provides an Honours/4th year study option.

Can Master’s Students Apply for the SANSA Bursary?

Yes. Master’s students can apply for SANSA funding if their proposed study is in a relevant field and they meet the programme requirements. The live application portal also requires a research proposal for MSc applications.

Can Doctoral Students Apply for the SANSA Bursary?

Yes. Doctoral students are eligible to apply for the 2027 programme. SANSA requires Doctoral applicants to submit a draft research proposal and supporting documentation.

Can Undergraduate Students Apply?

The standard SANSA postgraduate bursary is not intended for students beginning an ordinary undergraduate degree. SANSA’s current bursary page describes the programme as postgraduate funding for students progressing to Honours, Master’s or Doctoral studies. The application portal does contain an “Honours/4th year” option, but applicants should not interpret this as general funding for first-year undergraduate study.

What Does the SANSA Bursary Cover and How Much Does It Pay?

The SANSA Bursary 2027 provides annual funding according to the level of postgraduate study. SANSA currently publishes the following funding amounts:

Study level	Annual bursary value
Honours	R150,000 per year
Master’s	R160,000 per year
Doctoral	R170,000 per year

These are the funding values currently published by SANSA for the 2027 postgraduate bursary programme.

What Expenses Does the SANSA Bursary Cover?

SANSA publishes the annual funding values rather than presenting the 2027 programme as a simple list of fixed allowances for every expense. The live application asks for information about the applicant’s proposed study, institution, other bursaries and undergraduate funding, which indicates that funding arrangements are considered in the context of the applicant’s study programme.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that the annual bursary value means every possible study or living expense is automatically paid in full. The exact funding allocation and conditions should be confirmed with SANSA when the bursary is awarded.

Does the SANSA Bursary Provide a Monthly Allowance?

SANSA does not currently publish a separate fixed monthly rand allowance for the 2027 bursary on its official bursary page. Instead, it publishes annual funding values of R150,000 for Honours, R160,000 for Master’s and R170,000 for Doctoral studies.

This distinction is important if you are searching for the SANSA Bursary monthly allowance. Do not divide the annual amount by 12 and assume that the result is the monthly stipend you will receive. The published annual bursary value is not presented by SANSA as a guaranteed monthly payment.

Is There a Work-Back Obligation After Completing the SANSA Bursary?

Applicants should distinguish the SANSA postgraduate bursary from bursaries that guarantee employment with the sponsoring company or require recipients to work for the sponsor after graduation.

SANSA’s current 2027 bursary information does not publish a specific work-back period requiring every bursary recipient to work for SANSA after completing their qualification. The programme is intended to develop postgraduate skills in science, engineering and technology and to strengthen South Africa’s space-sector talent pipeline.

However, applicants should read any bursary agreement or award conditions supplied by SANSA carefully before accepting funding. Historical SANSA material shows that some bursary arrangements have included work-back provisions, so applicants should not assume that previous programme conditions automatically apply to the 2027 intake.

How to Apply for the SANSA Bursary 2027?

The SANSA Bursary 2027 online application is completed through SANSA’s official bursary application portal. SANSA specifically states that applications should be submitted through the portal and provides a five-step online application process.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before applying, make sure you are pursuing an eligible postgraduate STEM qualification, have achieved at least a 65% average in your last year or examination, and meet the citizenship and study requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Your Supporting Documents

Prepare your academic record, identification and other documents before starting the application. Master’s and Doctoral applicants must also prepare their research proposal and testimonial requirements.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

Complete your personal information, citizenship details, study history, proposed qualification, university, study dates, proposed supervisor and research project information where applicable. SANSA also asks applicants about other bursaries and where they will be based for their studies.

Step 4: Upload Your Documents

Upload the required documents in PDF format. SANSA warns that missing documents can result in an incomplete application and that encrypted or password-protected documents can also cause the application to be deemed incomplete.

Step 5: Submit Before the Closing Date

Review your information carefully and submit the completed application before 30 September 2026. Do not wait until the final day because missing documentation can make an otherwise eligible application incomplete.

What Documents Are Needed for the SANSA Bursary?

SANSA’s current 2027 bursary page provides a specific list of compulsory supporting documents. Applicants should make sure every required document is uploaded because SANSA states that missing documents can result in an incomplete application.

• Full official university academic record from the first year of study, including the latest 2026 results.
• Official undergraduate university student account statement or an official letter confirming NSFAS funding for undergraduate study fees.
• Certified copy of your ID, certified within three months of submitting the application.
• Testimonial from a lecturer or proposed supervisor for Master’s and Doctoral applicants.
• Master’s research proposal of no more than two pages.
• Doctoral research proposal of no more than four pages.
• Signed and dated research proposals by both the applicant and proposed supervisor.

SANSA’s live application portal also asks applicants to upload a research proposal where applicable and provides a testimonial template for an education official.

What Research Proposal Is Required for a Master’s Application?

For a Master’s application, SANSA’s current portal requires a research proposal. The portal specifies a maximum of five pages, while the main 2027 bursary page specifies a draft proposal of no more than two pages. Because these two official SANSA pages currently display different limits, applicants should follow the requirement shown in the live application portal or confirm the correct limit with SANSA before submitting.

What Research Proposal Is Required for a Doctoral Application?

The live SANSA application portal specifies a maximum of 10 pages for a PhD proposal, while the main 2027 bursary page specifies a maximum of four pages. Applicants should therefore use the requirement shown on the live application and, because of the discrepancy between SANSA’s two official pages, confirm the current limit with SANSA before submission.

What Is the SANSA Bursary 2027 Closing Date?

The SANSA Bursary 2027 closing date is 30 September 2026. Multiple current 2027 bursary listings report this deadline, and SANSA’s June 2026 announcement confirms that applications for the 2027 postgraduate programme are open.

Do not rely on older information stating that SANSA applications close in October. SANSA’s older research portal contains a historical application cycle of 1 October to 31 October in the year before study, but the current 2027 bursary programme has a September 2026 closing date.

SANSA Bursary Contact Information

For questions about the SANSA Bursary 2027, SANSA directs applicants to its Student Queries contact.

• Email: students@sansa.org.za
• SANSA Hermanus: 028 312 1196
• SANSA Pretoria: information@sansa.org.za
• SANSA Hartebeesthoek: 012 334 5000

SANSA’s 2027 bursary announcement specifically gives students@sansa.org.za for bursary queries. The official application page also lists SANSA’s regional contact details.

Frequently Asked Questions About the SANSA Bursary

Is the SANSA Bursary open for 2027?

Yes. SANSA opened applications for its 2027 Postgraduate Bursary Programme in 2026. The closing date is 30 September 2026.

What is the SANSA Bursary 2027 closing date?

The SANSA Bursary 2027 closing date is 30 September 2026.

Who qualifies for the SANSA Bursary?

The programme is aimed at students pursuing relevant postgraduate STEM qualifications at South African universities. Applicants must meet the academic and documentation requirements, including a minimum 65% average in their last year of study or last examination.

What average do I need for the SANSA Bursary?

You need a minimum academic average of 65% in your last year of studies or last examination. SANSA states that applicants below this threshold will not be considered.

Can Honours students apply for the SANSA Bursary?

Yes. Honours students can apply for the SANSA postgraduate bursary if they are studying in a relevant field and meet the programme requirements.

Can Master’s students apply for the SANSA Bursary?

Yes. Master’s students can apply. SANSA requires additional research-related documentation from Master’s applicants.

Can Doctoral students apply for the SANSA Bursary?

Yes. Doctoral students are eligible for the SANSA postgraduate bursary, subject to the relevant academic, research and documentation requirements.

Can undergraduate students apply for the SANSA Bursary?

The SANSA Bursary 2027 is primarily a postgraduate bursary. It supports Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies rather than ordinary first-degree undergraduate study.

How much is the SANSA Bursary?

The published annual values are R150,000 for Honours, R160,000 for Master’s and R170,000 for Doctoral studies.

Does the SANSA Bursary provide a monthly allowance?

SANSA does not currently publish a separate fixed monthly allowance for the 2027 programme. It publishes annual funding values instead.

Does the SANSA Bursary cover tuition?

SANSA publishes annual bursary funding amounts rather than describing the 2027 programme as a simple fixed list of fully covered expenses. Applicants should confirm the exact funding allocation and conditions with SANSA when funding is awarded.

What documents are required for the SANSA Bursary?

Required documents include a full official academic record, proof of undergraduate fees or NSFAS funding, a recently certified ID copy, and additional testimonial and research proposal documents for Master’s and Doctoral applicants.

How do I apply for the SANSA Bursary online?

The SANSA Bursary 2027 online application is submitted through SANSA’s official bursary application portal. Applicants must complete the online form and upload the required supporting documents.

Is there a work-back obligation for the SANSA Bursary?

SANSA’s current 2027 bursary information does not publish a specific work-back period for recipients. Applicants should nevertheless read the bursary agreement carefully because individual funding conditions may apply.

Is there an age limit for the SANSA Bursary?

Several secondary 2027 bursary listings state that applicants must be 32 years old or younger. However, this requirement is not displayed on SANSA’s current 2027 bursary page that we verified, so applicants who are over 32 should confirm their eligibility directly with SANSA before applying.

What fields does the SANSA Bursary cover?

The programme covers a broad range of STEM disciplines, including Applied Remote Sensing, GIS, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Mathematics, Physics, Space Science, Information Technology and related fields.

Related Bursaries on Grads24

• Engineering Bursaries South Africa
• Information Technology Bursaries South Africa
• Science Bursaries South Africa

Official Sources and Last Verified Date

Last verified: 1 September 2026.

The primary source for the SANSA Bursary 2027 is the South African National Space Agency’s official bursary information and online application portal. SANSA’s June 2026 announcement confirms that applications for the 2027 Postgraduate Bursary Programme are open, while the current bursary page provides the funded fields, academic threshold, documentation requirements and annual funding amounts.

Important: Bursary requirements, funding arrangements and application dates can change. Always verify the latest information on the official SANSA application portal before submitting your application.