Many students are struggling to access tertiary education due expenses associated with enrolling in a university or university of technology in South Africa. To bridge this gap, SANBI offers bursaries for students interested in selected study programs, helping them achieve their career dreams.
Lack of adequate funding for tertiary education in South Africa pushes many students to take the TVET study path. This is bevause most programs offered by TVET colleges are fully funded by NSFAS. This takes away the strain resulting from exepnses related to studies and allows them to focus on completing on time.
To support students and advance biodiversity research, SANBI provides bursaries aligned with its stragetic objectives to promote conservation and sustainable resource management.
SANBI, which stands for the South African National Biodiversity Institute, provides support towards research in biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Bursaries are SANBI’s commitment towards advancing biodiversity research, conservation, and sustainable resource management in South Africa.
In this article, we will discuss the SANBI Bursary, its eligibility requirements, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to submit your application.
[ez-toc]What Is SANBI Bursary?
The SANBI Bursary is a financial support scheme providing funding to students who demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to biodiversity and conservation. By providing financial assistance in a form of a bursary, SANBI strives to develop future leaders in the environmental sector.
This bursary targets students who intend enrolling for biodiversity and related university studies. A lack of funding prevents students from completing their qualification, which negatively impacts the economy and deepens the skills shortage in South Africa’s biodiversity sector.
The SANBI being a major representative in the conservation and planning of South Africa’s biodiverse regions has a significant role in the realization of its goals. SANBI, conceived for raising awareness about sustainable development, works in the fields of biodiversity, policies and ecosystems. These efforts focus on promoting knowledge on the part of the public and to promote a conservation culture in the nation.
SANBI Bursary Fields of Study
The SANBI bursary supports postgraduate studies – Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees – that align with biodiversity, environmental qualifications, and SANBI’s mission. SANBI considers your research project to determine whether your postgraduate qualification can be sponsored or not.
Below are fields of study that are supported:
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Botany
- Zoology
- Geography
Below are key strategic objectives that SANBI pays more attention to:
- Foundational Biodiversity Knowledge
- Your research project must aim to gather essential information about biodiversity, ecosystems, and species and sharing this knowledge to support SANBI’s applied and strategic initiatives.
- Assessment of Biodiversity
- Assess the state of biodiversity, identify pressures or threats, and develop strategies to effectively address these challenges.
- Integrated Knowledge for Policy Development
- Provide evidence-based insights to guide the institute’s policy formulation process, while supporting government and stakeholders with data to promote biodiversity conservation.”
- Enhancing Collections Value
- Leverage the collections at the National Botanical Gardens (NBG) and National Zoological Gardens (NZG) for research and public education purposes, ensuring they contribute to the broader goals of conservation and knowledge dissemination.
SANBI Bursary Eligibility Requirements
Postgraduate students seeking funding for the 2025 academic year must meet the following selection criteria:
- Applicants must be a South African citizens.
- Applicants must be under the age of 35.
- Applicants must intend to study full-time for an Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in 2025.
- Applicants must be pursuing their degree for the first time; funding is not available for a second Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral degree.
- The research project must align with SANBI’s mandate and research strategy.
- Applicants must be enroled at any university in South Africa.
- Students applying for Master’s studies, you must have completed an Honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma.
- Applicants must have a confirmed place in a postgraduate programme, along with provisional acceptance from potential academic supervisors.
- Only unemployed applicants will be considered.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Step 1: Visit SANBI Bursary Application Form 2025 dedicated official page to complete online application
- Step 2: Complete the form by providing your personal information, educational background and your intended research project
- Step 3: Once your application form is completed, submit it before the deadline
Required Documents
- Certified copy of your Identity Document
- Provisional acceptance or registration letter from the University where you will be studying
- Certified copy of your highest qualification
- Updated CV
- Project outline (one page for Honours and two pages for Master’s and Doctoral)
- Certified copies of your academic records/transcripts (with the institution’s letterhead)
- Two letters of reference from academic supervisors
- Letter from both a prospective university supervisor and a SANBI supervisor indicating their willingness to supervise your research
Closing Date for SANBI Bursary
25 October 2024 and late applications will not be considered.
Bursary Provider Contact Details
For more information about the SANBI Bursary, please contact:
- Email: bursaries@sanbi.org.za
List of Other Bursaries by Category
- Accounting Bursaries
- Agriculture Bursaries
- Arts Bursaries
- Commerce Bursaries
- Construction Bursaries
- Education Bursaries
- Engineering Bursaries
- General Bursaries
- Government Bursaries
- Information Technology Bursaries
- Marketing Bursaries
About the Author
Percy
Mr. Percy Mncwango is a seasoned education writer with over 10 years of experience in creating high-ranking articles that provide valuable guidance for students seeking university funding. As a graduate of the University of Cape Town Business School, Percy combines deep knowledge and personal experience to help students succeed. He has received bursaries from Nampak, Telkom, and the Institute of Directors of South Africa (IoD). Percy’s educational background, which includes Richtec TVET, Mangosuthu University of Technology, and UCT GSB, equips him with a unique perspective that enriches his SEO-optimized content and resonates with aspiring scholars.