The CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary 2027 is currently open to eligible South African students who intend to study full-time towards undergraduate qualifications in selected science, engineering and technology fields at a South African public university. The programme is provided by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with the Sasol Foundation and offers comprehensive financial support, including tuition, registration, books, accommodation, a living allowance and a once-off laptop allowance.
Applications for the 2027 academic year are currently open and close on 15 September 2026. Before applying, prospective students should check the current fields of study, academic requirements, supporting documents and the work-back obligation explained below.
CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary 2027 Status
🟢 CSIR-SASOL FOUNDATION BURSARY 2027 STATUS: OPEN
Academic year: 2027
Opening date: 21 July 2026
Closing date: 15 September 2026
Study level: Undergraduate
Study mode: Full-time
Institution: South African public university
Application: Online via the CSIR Bursary Connect portal
Last verified: 24 August 2026
The CSIR has confirmed that applications for its 2027 bursary programmes are open and close on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. The CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary is the undergraduate programme offered in collaboration with the Sasol Foundation.
CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary 2027 – Quick Summary
| Information | Details |
| Bursary provider | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with the Sasol Foundation |
| Academic year | 2027 |
| Status | Open |
| Closing date | 15 September 2026 |
| Study level | Undergraduate |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Citizenship | South African citizens |
| Institution | South African public university |
| Fields | Selected science, engineering and technology fields |
| Funding | Registration, tuition, books, accommodation, living allowance and once-off laptop allowance |
| Application method | Online |
| Work-back obligation | One year for every year funded |
What Is the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary?
The CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary is an undergraduate funding programme offered by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in collaboration with the Sasol Foundation. It provides financial support to full-time, unemployed students who intend to study in fields that have been identified as priorities by the CSIR.
The programme is linked to South Africa’s need for scientific, engineering and technological skills. The CSIR describes the programme as part of its effort to develop a strong pipeline of scientists, engineers and technologists while supporting critical skills development in the country.
The programme also aims to increase participation by women, Black individuals and people with disabilities in science, engineering and technology.
CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary Fields of Study
For the 2027 undergraduate programme, the CSIR currently lists the following areas of study:
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Computer Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Material Flow Analysis
- Process Engineering / Life Cycle Assessment
- Information Technology
- Data Science
- Industrial Engineering
- Genetics / Cell Biology
- System Engineering
Only qualifications that fall within the fields currently identified by the CSIR-SASOL Foundation programme should be treated as eligible. Students should therefore check the official 2027 guidelines before submitting an application if their qualification has a similar but different name.
Who Can Apply for the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary?
The programme has separate requirements for current Grade 12 learners and students who are already studying at university.
Requirements for Current Grade 12 Learners
Current Grade 12 learners applying for the 2027 undergraduate intake must meet the following requirements published by the CSIR:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Intend to enrol for full-time undergraduate study in 2027.
- Intend to study at a South African public university.
- Meet the minimum subject requirements of Level 5 for English.
- Meet the minimum subject requirements of Level 6 for Mathematics.
- Meet the minimum subject requirements of Level 6 for Physical Science.
- Choose a qualification within one of the programme’s approved fields of study.
Requirements for Current University Students
Students who are already enrolled at university must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Plan to enrol full-time at a South African university for the 2027 academic year.
- Be studying towards a qualification within an eligible field.
- Have passed all registered courses for the completed study period at university.
The current CSIR programme page does not state a fixed household-income threshold for the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary. Applicants should therefore not assume that a specific income ceiling applies unless it is stated in the current official guidelines.
What Does the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary Cover?
The CSIR describes the programme as a comprehensive bursary. For undergraduate students, the current programme information lists the following financial benefits:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Books
- Accommodation
- Living allowance
- Once-off laptop allowance
The CSIR does not publish a single fixed rand value for the entire bursary package on its current programme page. It is therefore more accurate to describe this as comprehensive funding rather than advertise an invented bursary amount.
Additional Benefits and Student Support
Funding is not the only support provided through the CSIR-SASOL Foundation programme. Successful students may also receive access to several development opportunities.
- Recognition of top-performing students through CSIR Excellence Awards, certificates and gifts.
- Possible work-placement opportunities at the CSIR and affiliated organisations.
- Interview-skills training for final-year students.
- Opportunities to work on real-life projects addressing socioeconomic challenges through CSIR co-supervision.
- An onboarding session with the CSIR and Sasol Foundation team.
- Psychosocial support, including academic and psychological support.
- Access to a student wellness programme.
- Potential mentorship with senior CSIR professionals.
- Vacation work opportunities of up to six weeks per year.
CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary Work-Back Obligation
Applicants should pay particular attention to the programme’s work-back condition before accepting the bursary.
The CSIR states that successful CSIR-SASOL Foundation students are required to work back one year for every year funded by the CSIR and Sasol Foundation.
This means the bursary is not simply financial assistance with no further obligation. Students considering the programme should understand the service requirement before accepting the funding.
Documents Required for the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary
The current CSIR programme information states that applicants must submit the following supporting documents:
- An updated CV.
- A certified copy of your South African identity document.
- Your latest academic record.
- Your Grade 11 final-year results if you are currently in Grade 12.
The CSIR warns that applications without the required supporting documents will not be considered. Before submitting, check that your documents are clear, complete and uploaded in the format requested by the application portal.
How to Apply for the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary
Applications for the 2027 programme are submitted online through the CSIR’s Bursary Connect system. Applicants should use the current 2027 application route rather than an old application form or previous-year link.
Step 1: Check the requirements
Confirm that you are a South African citizen, meet the academic requirements and intend to study full-time in one of the approved fields at a South African public university.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Prepare your updated CV, certified ID, latest academic record and Grade 11 final results if you are currently in Grade 12.
Step 3: Open the current CSIR Bursary Connect application
Use the current CSIR Bursary Connect portal to begin your application. Make sure you select the appropriate CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary programme when completing the application.
Step 4: Complete the application
Enter your personal, academic and study information accurately. Check that your selected qualification corresponds with one of the fields funded by the CSIR-SASOL Foundation programme.
Step 5: Upload your supporting documents
Upload all documents requested by the application system. Missing compulsory documents can result in an application not being considered.
Step 6: Submit before the closing date
Submit your completed application before 15 September 2026. Do not wait until the final day if you still need to obtain certified documents or correct information in your application.
CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary Closing Date
The closing date for the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary 2027 is 15 September 2026.
The 2027 application window opened on 21 July 2026. Applications submitted after the published deadline should not be assumed to be accepted unless the CSIR announces otherwise.
What Happens After You Apply?
Applicants should keep the login details associated with their application so that they can monitor the progress of their application through the CSIR’s application system.
The CSIR’s bursary information indicates that academic merit is considered during selection. Applicants who are shortlisted may be contacted as part of the selection process. The final outcome should be determined by the CSIR and Sasol Foundation after their assessment of applications.
What If You Miss the 2027 Closing Date?
If you miss the 15 September 2026 deadline, do not assume that the CSIR will accept a late application. The current programme information does not state that late applications are routinely accepted.
If you are unable to apply during the current intake, monitor the CSIR’s official bursary announcements for the next application cycle. You can also browse the Grads24 Engineering Bursaries page for other funding opportunities that may still be available.
CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary Contact Details
For enquiries relating to the bursary programme, the CSIR provides the following contact details:
- Telephone: 012 841 2616
- Email: bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za
Applicants should use the official CSIR contact channels for questions about their application, eligibility or programme requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary 2027
Is the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary open for 2027?
Yes. Applications for the 2027 CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary are currently open and close on 15 September 2026.
What is the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary closing date?
The closing date is 15 September 2026.
What fields does the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary fund?
The 2027 undergraduate programme includes Mechatronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Material Flow Analysis, Process Engineering/Life Cycle Assessment, Information Technology, Data Science, Industrial Engineering, Genetics/Cell Biology and System Engineering.
What marks are required for the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary?
Current Grade 12 learners must have at least Level 5 for English, Level 6 for Mathematics and Level 6 for Physical Science. Current university students must have passed all registered courses for their completed study period.
Does the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary cover accommodation?
Yes. The current CSIR programme information lists accommodation among the expenses covered by the undergraduate bursary.
Does the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary provide a laptop?
Yes. The programme includes a once-off laptop allowance for undergraduate students.
Does the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary provide a living allowance?
Yes. A living allowance is included in the current undergraduate bursary package.
Can current university students apply?
Yes. Current university students can apply provided they meet the programme requirements, are South African citizens, intend to enrol full-time for 2027 and have passed all registered courses for the completed study period.
Is there a work-back obligation?
Yes. Successful students are required to work back one year for every year funded by the CSIR and Sasol Foundation.
Does the CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary fund postgraduate studies?
The CSIR-SASOL Foundation programme currently listed for 2027 is an undergraduate bursary. Students looking for Honours, Master’s or doctoral funding should investigate the separate CSIR or CSIR-DSTI postgraduate funding programmes rather than assuming that the Sasol Foundation programme covers postgraduate study.
Other Engineering Bursaries
If you are looking for additional funding for engineering studies, visit our Engineering Bursaries South Africa category. It contains bursaries covering different engineering disciplines and study levels.
Official Source and Last Verification
The current CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary information used on this page is based primarily on the CSIR’s official bursary programme information, with the current application period cross-checked against university funding information.
Last verified: 24 August 2026
Because bursary requirements and application instructions can change, applicants should confirm the final requirements and application instructions on the official CSIR bursary website before submitting their application.