The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is committed to developing SA’s future scientists, engineers, and innovators. It achieves this through its comprehensive SANSA Bursary Programme. It is offered yearly as a financial support package to high-achieving students who are passionate about space science, technology, and related disciplines. The main objective of SANSA is to advance South Africa’s capabilities in space research and innovation, while addressing the country’s skills shortage in critical STEM fields.
Fields of Study Covered
In responding to South Africa’s need to increase science and engineering graduates, SANSA is offering bursaries for Postgraduate studies (Honours, Masters and Doctoral). Bursaries for 2026 academic year are awarded to the following study fields:
Mathematics and Statistics
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Statistical Ecology
Information and Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Computer and Electronic Engineering
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Information Systems and Remote Sensing
- Information Technology
Remote Sensing, GIS and Space Science
- Applied Remote Sensing
- Applied Remote Sensing and GIS
- Geographical Information Systems
- GIS and Remote Sensing
- Geography with Remote Sensing and or GIS
- Geoinformatics
- Space Science
Environmental and Earth Sciences
- Ecology and Resource Management
- Energy Studies
- Environmental and Geographical Science
- Environmental and Science
- Environmental and Water Science
- Environmental Geology
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Geography and Environmental Management
- Geography and Environmental Science
- Geographical and Environmental Science
- Geographical Science
- Plant and Environmental Science
Biological Sciences
- Botany
Engineering Fields
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
Physics
- Physics
Eligibility Requirements
- You must be 32 years old or younger
- You must be studying or intend on studying towards a postgraduate STEM qualification, including not not limited to the fields listed above
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% in your last year of studies or last examination
- You must have strong academic potential
- You must have proven financial need
- You must be interested in working within the space sector
SANSA Bursary Value
- Hons – 1-year R100 000 (excluding allowance to be determined on a case-to-case basis)
- Masters – 2 years R120 000 (all inclusive)
- PhD – 3 years R140 000 (all inclusive)
How To Apply?
Applications must be completed online via the official SANSA Bursary Application 2026 dedicated page
Required Supporting Documents
Your application must be accompanied by the following documents
- FULL academic record
- Fee statement for ALL study years
- Proof of any undergraduate bursaries/funding
- An application will only be considered if it has been completed properly and in full.
- Only bursary application within the mandated STEM fields will be considered.
- Applicants with a minimum average of 65% for their last academic year or qualification will be considered, in conjunction with the previous point.
- SANSA projects can be located on https://research.sansa.org.za/ under Projects . All proposal submissions in the related study areas will be submitted, for consideration, to our bursary committees.
- SANSA welcomes any new projects that relates to our listed projects and encourage applicants to contact our researchers for advice and assistance with their proposals.
- Only certified documents must accompany your 2024 application
- SANSA or university testimonial forms must be completed by the supervisor and uploaded to the application form.
- Masters and doctoral bursary holders MUST reapply every year for continued funding.
Application Deadline
The closing date for applications is 30 September 2025.
Bursary Contact Details
- Email address: [email protected]
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