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.