South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) Bursary 2026

 

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – SAIMI

The South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) was established in 2014, by a joint effort between South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and Nelson Mandela University (NMU), partnered with stakeholders from universities, sector education and training authorities, further education and training institutes, the maritime industry, government and representatives from the African maritime sector.

The SAIMI is committed to advocating and promoting the maritime sector in South Africa, as well as coordinating education, skills, training, research and development, and serving as the knowledge hub on maritime matters.
 

ABOUT THE SAIMI BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), is inviting students to apply for the Sindiswa Carol ‘Tu’ Nhlumayo Merit Bursary, for the 2026 academic year.

The bursary will be awarded to Black female students, for studies towards a maritime-related qualification (at Undergraduate, Honours, Masters, or PhD level), to help them achieve success in oceans economy careers.

The following qualifications will be covered:
Undergraduate Qualifications:

  • Animal Production with a focus on Aquaculture (BSc)
  • Applied Geology (BSc)
  • Aquaculture (Certificate course)
  • Environmental Sciences / Environmental Management / Environmental Studies (BSc)
  • Geology Sciences (BSc)
  • Logistics (Diploma)
  • Marine Electronics Communication Engineering (National Diploma)
  • Marine Engineering (BEng)
  • Marine Engineering (BEng Tech)
  • Marine Engineering (BEng Tech Honours)
  • Marine Engineering (Diploma)
  • Marine Science (Diploma)
  • Maritime Studies (Diploma)
  • Maritime Studies (Diploma / Advanced Diploma)
  • Maritime Transportation and Logistics (BSc / BCom)
  • Meteorology (Diploma)
  • Microbiology (BSc)
  • Nautical Studies (Diploma / Advanced Diploma)
  • Oceanography (BSc)
  • Port & Harbour Engineering (National Diploma)
  • Shipping and Logistics (Diploma / Advanced Diploma)
  • Transport Management (Diploma)
  • Zoology and Entomology (BSc)

Postgraduate Qualifications:
Honours Qualifications:

  • Aquaculture (Postgraduate Diploma)
  • Aquatic Health (BSc Hons)
  • Environmental Sciences / Environmental Management / Environmental Studies (BSc Hons)
  • Geological Sciences / Applied Geology (BSc Hons)
  • Marine Ecology (BSc Hons)
  • Marine and Environmental Law (Postgraduate Diploma)
  • Maritime Economics (BCom Hons)
  • Maritime Law (Postgraduate Diploma)
  • Maritime Studies (Postgraduate Diploma)
  • Maritime Transport (Postgraduate Diploma)
  • Maritime Transport Economics (BCom Hons)
  • Oceanography (BSc Hons)
  • Zoology and Entomology (BSc Hons)

Masters Qualifications:

  • Applied Geology (MSc)
  • MBA with a focus on a maritime related research topic
  • Marine and Environmental Law: LLM Professional Master’s / LLM degree by coursework and minor dissertation / MPhil degree by coursework and minor dissertation
  • Marine and Ship Surveying (Master of Laws)
  • Maritime Management (Masters)
  • Maritime Studies (Master of Laws)
  • Maritime Studies (MPhil / MCom)
  • Ocean Governance (Master of Laws)
  • Oceanography (MSc)
  • Philosophy in Ports and Shipping (Masters)
  • Shipping Law (Master of Laws)
  • Zoology and Entomology (MSc)

PhD Qualifications:

  • Applied Geology (PhD)
  • Botany (PhD)
  • DBA with a focus on a maritime related research topic
  • Development Studies with a focus on a maritime related research topic (PhD)
  • Marine and Ship Surveying (PhD)
  • Maritime Law (PhD)
  • Microbiology (PhD)
  • Oceanography (PhD)
  • Shipping Law (PhD)
  • Zoology and Entomology (PhD)

The Sindiswa Carol ‘Tu’ Nhlumayo Merit Bursary was formed in order to provide an opportunity for young females from previously disadvantaged, designated groups to pursue a career in maritime related fields. The bursary was formed in recognition of Ms Sindiswa Nhlumayo, the previous Executive Head of the Centre for Maritime Excellence at the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), who received many accolades for her work in the industry.
 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

 

MORE ABOUT THE SAIMI BURSARY PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE & SERVICE CONTRACT

The bursary will provide full cover for the following expenses: tuition fees, textbooks, as well as a subsidized accommodation and meal allowance. Bursary recipients will also have the opportunity to attend SAIMI-hosted conferences and selected local maritime events, as well as to partake in organised bodies in maritime and science.

The bursary will NOT cover any outstanding debt/ historical study fees.

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 SAIMI Bursary.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SAIMI 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 students:

  • You must be a South African citizen
  • You must be a female student
  • You must be from a previously disadvantaged, designated group (this includes Black Africans, Coloureds and Indians, according to the definition of the Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003)
  • You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
  • You must be studying or provisionally accepted to study towards a full-time Maritime-related undergraduate qualification
  • You must be studying or provisionally accepted to study at an accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
  • You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70%, if currently studying (academic progress will be considered)
  • You must achieved A and B symbols in Matric
  • You must fall within the “missing middle” financial category (your parents must earn between R350 000 and R600 000 per year)

Honours and Masters students:

  • You must be a South African citizen
  • You must be a female student
  • You must be from a previously disadvantaged, designated group (this includes Black Africans, Coloureds and Indians, according to the definition of the Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003)
  • You must be studying towards a Maritime-related qualification
  • You must be studying at an accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
  • You must have completed at least 1 year of study (academic progress will be considered)
  • You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% at Undergraduate level and a minimum overall average of 65% at Honours level
  • You must fall within the “missing middle” financial category (your parents must earn between R350 000 and R600 000 per year)

PhD students:

  • You must be a South African citizen
  • You must be a female student
  • You must be from a previously disadvantaged, designated group (this includes Black Africans, Coloureds and Indians, according to the definition of the Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003)
  • You must be studying towards a Maritime-related qualification
  • You must be studying at an accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
  • You must have completed at least 1 year of study (academic progress will be considered)
  • You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% at Master’s level
  • You must fall within the “missing middle” financial category (your parents must earn between R350 000 and R600 000 per year)

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SAIMI BURSARY

Download and complete the relevant application form:

Undergraduate students: SAIMI Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf)
Honours or Masters student: SAIMI Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf)
PhD students: SAIMI Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf)

Note: please ensure that you read and agree to all the terms and conditions on the bursary application form before applying.

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

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
Undergraduate students:

  • ID document (certified copy)
  • Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
  • Most recent results, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
  • Academic transcript, if currently studying (certified copy)
  • Provisional letter of acceptance from tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
  • Official quotation for tuition fees and textbooks, if already registered (on institutions letterhead) (if you have not registered, you must submit this after registration)
  • Parents or guardians ID documents or death certificate if deceased (certified copies)
  • Parents or guardians proof of household income (payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, proof of pension or SASSA grant if applicable)
  • Motivational letter (maximum 500 words) (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)

Honours and Masters students:

  • ID document (certified copy)
  • All relevant qualifications and academic transcripts (certified copies)
  • Provisional letter of acceptance from tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
  • Official quotation for tuition fees and textbooks, if already registered (on institutions letterhead)
  • Parents or guardians ID documents or death certificate if deceased (certified copies)
  • Parents or guardians proof of household income (payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, proof of pension or grant if applicable)
  • Motivational paper one of the research topics and the research proposal – problem statement and the importance of your study (research) to society (maximum 800 words)

PhD students:

  • ID document (certified copy)
  • All relevant qualifications and academic transcripts (certified copies)
  • Provisional letter of acceptance from tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
  • Official quotation for tuition fees and textbooks, if already registered (on institutions letterhead)
  • Parents or guardians ID documents or death certificate if deceased (certified copies)
  • Parents or guardians proof of household income (payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, proof of pension or grant if applicable)
  • Motivational paper one of the research topics and the research proposal – problem statement and the importance of your study (research) to society (maximum 800 words)

 

Applications must be submitted via email to: bursary@saimi.co.za
(Insert the words “SAIMI Bursary 2026” in the email subject line).

Note: applicants must be submitted in PDF format, and must be clear and complete.
 

CLOSING DATE FOR THE SAIMI BURSARY

5 December 2025 (at 23:59 – midnight).
(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 the South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) directly:
Email: bursary@saimi.co.za / info@saimi.co.za
Telephone: 041 504 4038
 

Please do NOT contact the SAIMI 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 November 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.