Opportunity alert: the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is funding postgraduate studies for science and engineering students, and the deadline is fast approaching.
What the SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme 2027 offers
SANSA is opening its 2027 Postgraduate Bursary Programme for Honours, Master’s and Doctoral students. The bursary supports research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) that aligns with SANSA’s work in space science, Earth observation, and national development.
Who can apply – eligibility and minimum requirements
- South African citizens with a BSc or BEng degree who plan to study Honours, Master’s or Doctoral level.
- Study must be at a recognized South African university.
- Academic average ≥ 65 % in the most recent year (or latest exam results).
- Must submit a full official academic record from the first year of study.
- All documents must be un‑encrypted and not password‑protected.
- Must meet the admission criteria of the chosen university programme.
What you gain – funding and skill development
- Annual funding: R150 000 for Honours, R160 000 for Master’s, R170 000 for Doctoral.
- Funding can cover tuition, research costs, books, accommodation, living expenses, travel and other approved items.
- Hands‑on experience in fields that support South Africa’s space, Earth‑observation and engineering sectors.
- Networking with SANSA researchers and potential future employment opportunities.
How to apply – step‑by‑step guide
- Visit the official SANSA bursary page: Apply for SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2027.
- Read the programme requirements carefully.
- Choose the level of study you wish to apply for (Honours, Master’s or Doctoral).
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload a full official academic record (all years) and your 2026 results.
- Provide proof of how your undergraduate fees were funded – either a university student‑account statement or an NSFAS funding letter.
- Attach a certified copy of your ID (certified within the last three months).
- For Master’s applicants, upload a lecturer/supervisor testimonial and a research proposal (max 2 pages). For Doctoral applicants, upload a testimonial and a proposal (max 4 pages). Both proposals must be signed and dated by you and the proposed supervisor.
- Check that no file is encrypted or password‑protected.
- Review the entire application and submit before 30 September 2026.
Tips to improve your chances
- Start gathering your official transcripts early – universities can take weeks to issue them.
- Make sure your research proposal clearly states the title, problem, purpose, objectives, methodology, expected contribution, relevance to SANSA, and supervisor details.
- Keep the proposal within the page limit and have both you and your supervisor sign and date it.
- Double‑check that your ID copy is certified and the certification is dated no earlier than three months before submission.
- Save all documents as PDFs and open each one after uploading to confirm they display correctly.
- Submit well before the deadline to avoid last‑minute technical issues.
Next steps and encouragement
This bursary can remove the financial barrier to advanced STEM studies and place you at the heart of South Africa’s space and technology future. If you meet the 65 % average and your chosen field aligns with SANSA’s research areas, you are eligible to apply.
Prepare your documents, follow the steps above, and submit your application before 30 September 2026. For any questions, email students@sansa.org.za and clearly state you are enquiring about the SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme 2027.
Take this chance to advance your career and contribute to cutting‑edge space science in South Africa.
