2027 SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries for Science students

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) offers postgraduate bursaries to support students pursuing honours, masters, or doctoral qualifications in STEM fields, aiming to increase the number of qualified graduates in science and engineering.

What it offers

• Honours students: R150 000 per year
• Masters students: R160 000 per year
• Doctoral students: R170 000 per year

Who can apply

• Students pursuing relevant science qualifications in the following fields (but not limited to):
  • Earth Observation (EO)
  • Remote Sensing & GIS
  • Environmental Science
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, etc.)
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Space Science
• Applicants must have an academic average of at least 65% for their last year of studies or last examination.

What you'll do

• Pursue an honours, masters, or doctoral qualification in a STEM field relevant to SANSA’s research priorities.

How to apply

• Submit:
  • Full, official university academic record (including final year or midyear 2026 results)
  • Official undergraduate university student account statement or NSFAS funding letter
  • Certified ID copy (certified within 3 months of application submission)
  • For masters and doctoral applicants: a testimonial from a lecturer or proposed supervisor
  • For masters applicants: a draft proposal (no longer than 2 pages)
  • For doctoral applicants: a draft proposal (no longer than 4 pages)
  • All proposals must be signed and dated by the applicant and their proposed supervisor

Good to know

• Incomplete applications (missing documents) will not be considered.
• Encrypted or password-protected documents will result in an incomplete application.
• Enquiries should be directed to students@sansa.org.za.