CSIR Bursary South Africa 2025

 

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 2025 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for Postgraduate (Honours, MSc and PhD), in these fields:
Honours studies:

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Genetics/ Cell Biology
  • Information Systems
  • Physics

Masters studies:

  • Aeronautical Engineering
  • Animal Health
  • Aquaculture
  • Biochemistry
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biotechnology
  • Civil/ Water Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Engineering
  • Data Science
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Flow Chemistry
  • Information Systems
  • Mathematics
  • Mechatronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Physics
  • Virology

Doctoral studies:

  • Animal Health
  • Aquaculture
  • Biochemistry
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Flow Chemistry
  • Genetics/ Cell Biology
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Metallurgy/ Powder Metallurgy
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Process Engineering
  • Systems Engineering
  • Virology

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 **

 

MORE ABOUT THE CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – EXPENSED COVERED & OTHER BENEFITS

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.

The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses:

  • 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.

Bursary recipients will also receive full support and the opportunity to partake in vacation work.
 

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

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):
Honours studies:

  • You must be a South African citizen
  • You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards a qualification in one of the fields listed above, in 2025
  • You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised public University in South Africa
  • You must have passed all university courses you have registered for, for the study period completed (if currently studying)
  • You must be currently unemployed

Masters and Doctoral applicants:

  • You must be a South African citizen
  • You must intend on studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the Masters or Doctoral fields listed above, in 2025
  • 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 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

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE CSIR BURSARY

Applications must be submitted online at: CSIR Bursary Application 2025

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)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Latest academic record
  • Master’s and Doctoral students: proof of a degree already completed

 

CLOSING DATE FOR THE CSIR BURSARY

30 September 2024.
(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:
Recruitment Centre
Tel: 012 841 3256
Email: bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za

or contact Excel@Uni (the administrators for this bursary)
Email: hello@excelatuni.com
 

Please do NOT contact CSIR or Excel@Uni 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 September 2024.

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.