The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is inviting applications for its 2027 Postgraduate Bursaries, providing financial support to South African students pursuing Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral qualifications in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and related fields.
The bursary programme is designed to strengthen South Africa’s pipeline of highly skilled science and engineering graduates while supporting research that contributes to national development, innovation, environmental sustainability, and the advancement of space science and technology.
Successful applicants can receive up to R170,000 per year, depending on their level of study. The opportunity is particularly suited to students interested in areas such as remote sensing, geographic information systems, environmental science, engineering, information technology, mathematics, physics, and space science.
About the SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme
SANSA provides postgraduate funding as part of its contribution to South Africa’s need for qualified professionals in critical science and engineering disciplines.
The 2027 bursaries support students pursuing Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral qualifications in relevant STEM fields. Although SANSA identifies specific areas of study, the list is not necessarily exhaustive, meaning students in closely related scientific and technical disciplines may also be considered.
The programme offers an opportunity for postgraduate students to develop advanced technical expertise while contributing to research aligned with South Africa’s scientific and technological priorities.
Fields of Study
Eligible fields span several broad research areas, including Earth observation, science and engineering, and space-related disciplines.
Relevant fields include:
Earth Observation and Environmental Sciences
• Applied Remote Sensing
• Remote Sensing and GIS
• Botany
• Ecology and Resource Management
• Environmental Science
• Environmental and Geographical Science
• Environmental and Water Science
• Environmental Geology
• Environmental Management
• Geographic Information Systems
• Geographical Science
• Geoinformatics
• GIS and Remote Sensing
• Plant and Environmental Science
• Statistical Ecology
• Geography and Environmental Management
Science and Engineering
• Computer and Electronic Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Information Technology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
Mathematics, Physics and Space Science
• Applied Mathematics
• Energy Studies
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Space Science
• Information Systems
• Information Technology
The programme is particularly relevant to students whose research contributes to scientific innovation, environmental monitoring, technological development, data systems, or South Africa’s broader space and engineering capabilities.
Bursary Funding Amounts
The financial support available depends on the applicant’s postgraduate level:
• Honours: R150,000 per year
• Master’s: R160,000 per year
• Doctoral: R170,000 per year
These funding levels make the SANSA bursary an important opportunity for eligible postgraduate students seeking financial assistance to pursue advanced STEM qualifications.
Minimum Academic Requirement
Applicants must meet SANSA’s academic performance requirement to be considered.
Students with an academic average below 65% in their final year of study or most recent examination will not be considered.
Applicants should therefore ensure that their academic records clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum required performance threshold before submitting an application.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit all required supporting documentation. An incomplete application will not be considered.
Required documents include:
• A full official university academic record, covering studies from first year and including final-year or mid-year 2026 results.
• An official undergraduate student account statement or official letter confirming NSFAS funding for undergraduate study fees.
• A certified copy of the applicant’s ID, certified within three months of submitting the application.
• A testimonial from a lecturer or proposed supervisor for Master’s and Doctoral applicants.
• A draft research proposal of no more than two pages for Master’s applicants.
• A draft research proposal of no more than four pages for Doctoral applicants.
• All research proposals must be signed and dated by both the applicant and proposed supervisor.
Important Application Conditions
Applicants should carefully check their documents before submission. SANSA states that applications may be deemed incomplete if any required documentation is missing.
Documents that are encrypted or password protected may also result in the application being classified as incomplete.
Only students pursuing relevant science qualifications will be considered, and meeting the academic threshold is essential.
Applicants should therefore prepare their supporting documents in advance and ensure that all files are accessible, complete, correctly certified where required, and submitted in the prescribed format.
Who Should Apply?
The bursaries are intended for eligible students pursuing postgraduate qualifications in relevant STEM disciplines. The opportunity is particularly valuable for students seeking to build careers in scientific research, engineering, environmental monitoring, geospatial technology, information systems, remote sensing, data-driven research, and space science.
Master’s and Doctoral applicants should also have a clearly developed research direction, as the application requires a draft proposal and supervisor endorsement.
How to Apply
Interested students should submit their applications through the official SANSA bursary application platform. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the requirements and ensure that every required document is uploaded before final submission.
Students with questions about the bursary programme can contact SANSA Student Queries through the official student enquiries channel.
Build the Future of South African STEM
The SANSA 2027 Postgraduate Bursary Programme offers more than financial assistance. It provides an opportunity for talented STEM students to advance their academic careers while contributing to research and innovation that can support South Africa’s scientific, technological, environmental, and space-related priorities.
For eligible Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral students, the programme can provide substantial annual financial support while opening a pathway toward advanced expertise in fields that are increasingly important to Africa’s future.
Prospective applicants should review the eligibility criteria carefully, prepare their academic records and supporting documentation, and submit complete applications through SANSA’s official platform.
