Get a Full‑Time Bursary from the Council for Geoscience – 2026
If you’re a South African student who loves digging into the Earth, the Council for Geoscience (CGS) has a chance for you. CGS is the government agency that gathers, stores and shares all geoscience data across South Africa, both on land and at sea. They want fresh talent to help solve real‑world problems and to build a future team of scientists and engineers. For the 2026 academic year, CGS is opening a full‑time bursary program that covers everything from tuition to travel and even a laptop. It’s a great way to study your dream subject without worrying about money.
What the bursary actually does
This bursary is a complete package. If you win, CGS will pay:
- Your registration and tuition fees
- A monthly allowance for housing or transport
- The books you need for class
- Meals while you study
- Field trips and lab work
- A one‑time laptop payment for first‑time winners
In return, after you finish your degree, you may have to work for CGS for a certain period. This is called a work‑back obligation, and it’s a small price to pay for the support you’ll get.
Who can apply
You need to meet all of these conditions:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be free from any job – you must be able to study full time and work for CGS when required
- Be enrolled full time at a South African university for the 2026 academic year
- If you’re a returning student, you must have passed all your previous modules
Which subjects are covered
CGS is looking for talent in many geoscience areas. You can choose from:
- Geology
- Engineering Geology
- Geophysics
- Hydrogeology (especially groundwater modelling)
- Geochemistry
- Economic Geology
- Environmental Science
- Data Science and Innovation Studies
- Geo‑informatics
- Remote Sensing
- Computational Geosciences
- Mineral Economics
- Mining Seismology
If your program is listed above, you’re eligible to apply.
What you’ll need to send
Your application will be rejected if it’s missing any of these items. Double‑check before you hit send:
- A motivation letter telling CGS why you’re a great fit.
- Your most recent CV.
- A certified copy of your South African ID.
- Your latest academic record.
- A certified copy of your matric results.
- A letter from your university that shows you’ve been admitted for 2026.
How to apply
- Download the application form from the CGS website:
Download the 2026 bursary application form. - Fill out the form carefully.
- Attach all the documents above.
- Email your completed package to bursaries@geoscience.org.za.
Use “BursaryFT‑2026” as the subject line – this helps us find your email.
Remember: The deadline is 23 January 2026. Late or incomplete applications won’t be considered.
Questions? Not the right place
This email address is only for questions. Send any applications here and they will be returned.
Final points
- CGS will only reply to people who win the bursary.
- Applicants who have been disadvantaged in the past will receive special attention.
If you’re excited about the Earth, want to help solve environmental and mining challenges, and need a scholarship to do it, this bursary could be a game changer. Apply early, follow every step, and you could join a team that’s shaping South Africa’s scientific future.