SARAO Masters Scholarship South Africa 2027

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is inviting students to apply for their Freestanding Masters Scholarship, for the 2027 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for Masters studies, towards Engineering and Science research projects that have been approved by SARAO for Master’s research in 2027. (Find the list of approved research projects here).

** RELATED BURSARIES **

WHAT EXPENSES DOES THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

The scholarship will be awarded to the value of R200 000.

The scholarship will also provide the following benefits:

  • International Student Fee will be paid in full
  • Travel Grant will be paid to the value of R40 000
  • Equipment Grant will be paid to the value of R25 000
  • Home Travel Grant – the cost of 1 return ticket, with one change will be paid permitted, per year
  • Repatriation Fee will be paid in full, if required
  • Emergency Medical Insurance will be paid in full
  • Assistive Technology Device will be paid to the value of R20 000

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 SARAO Scholarship.

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP?

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):

  • You must be a South African citizen or a permanent resident OR a citizen of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia or Zambia
  • You must meet 1 of the following criteria:
    • completed or graduated with a BSc Honours degree in Physics and Astronomy/ Astrophysics or Computer Science and Mathematics, since 2025
    • currently pursuing a BSc Honours degree in Physics and Astronomy/Astrophysics or Computer Science and Mathematics
    • completed or graduated with a 4-year BEng degree in Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic
      Engineering or Computer Engineering, since 2025
    • currently pursuing a 4-year BEng degree in Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering or Computer Engineering.
  • You must meet 1 of the following criteria:
    • achieved a minimum average of 65% for your BSc Honours degree in Physics and Astronomy/Astrophysics or Computer Science and Mathematics
    • achieved a minimum average of 65% for your final year of BEng degree in Electronic
      Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering or Computer Engineering
  • You must have selected a research project that has been approved by SARAO for Master’s research in 2027, and must upload a signed letter from the relevant supervisor stating that he/she will supervise you

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP?

Applications must be submitted online at: SARAO Scholarship Application 2027

  • Before applying, please read the scholarship SARAO Masters Scholarship Guidelines (.pdf) before applying.
  • Before applying, contact the supervisor of the project to discuss the project, and determine if you have the required qualifications, skills and abilities to undertake the project.

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the SARAO Scholarship.

WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I SUBMIT FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP?

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, if an SA citizen
  • Passport and permanent residence visa, if a permanent resident
  • University academic record, from the start of your degree until current and all other degrees completed to date (to be compiled into a single PDF Document)
  • Supervisor-agreement letter
  • Updated Curriculum Vitae
  • Motivational letter (see guidelines above for more information)
  • 2 letters of reference (1 must be written by a university lecturer) (see guidelines above for more information)

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP?

15 July 2026.

(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER?

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) directly:

Please do NOT contact the SARAO if this scholarship has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news

WHAT DOES THE SARAO DO?

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is a national research facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF) that oversees South Africa’s radio astronomy infrastructure and programmes. It operates the world-renowned MeerKAT Radio Telescope in the Northern Cape’s Karoo region, manages the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) and its geodesy and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) activities, and leads South Africa’s participation in the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project.

SARAO also coordinates the African VLBI Network (AVN) and supports scientific research, engineering innovation, and the development of future radio astronomy specialists across Africa.  

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This bursary listing was last updated in July 2026.

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.