South Africa faces shortage of high-level skills in the fields of science and engineering. To effectively resource the country with the necessary talent to achieve the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP) and ensure a sustainable future for all citizens, an increase in graduates within these sectors is essential.
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) plays a pivotal role in this national mission. By providing postgraduate degree bursaries, SANSA aims to contribute significantly to the national target for qualified postgraduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). These bursaries are specifically designed for students who demonstrate academic excellence and a passion for contributing to the growth of the South African space sector.
Fields of Study Covered
The SANSA bursary programme supports a wide range of science and engineering disciplines. If you are studying towards a qualification in the following areas (though not limited to these), you may be eligible for funding:
Environmental and Earth Sciences:
- Applied Remote Sensing and GIS
- Botany, Ecology, and Resource Management
- Environmental Science and Management
- Environmental Geology and Water Science
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Geoinformatics and Statistical Ecology
Engineering and Technology:
- Computer and Electronic Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
- Information Technology and Information Systems
- Computer Science
Physical and Mathematical Sciences:
- Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
- Physics and Space Science
- Energy Studies
Eligibility Requirements
To ensure that funding is allocated to the most capable and deserving candidates, SANSA has set strict eligibility criteria:
- Nationality: You must be a South African citizen.
- Age Limit: Applicants must be 32 years or younger at the time of application.
- Academic Performance: You must have achieved a minimum academic average of 65% in your last year of studies or your most recent examination.
- Field Alignment: Your research or field of study must align with SANSA’s core mandate in space science, engineering, or Earth observation.
Required Documents for Application
A complete application is vital. If any of the following documents are missing, or if they are encrypted/password-protected, your application will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered:
- Academic Records: A full, official university academic record from your first year of study, including your final results or mid-year 2025 results.
- Funding Proof: An official undergraduate university student account statement or an official letter confirming NSFAS funding for your undergraduate fees.
- Identification: A certified copy of your ID (certified within the last 3 months).
- Testimonials: Masters and Doctoral students must include a testimonial from a lecturer or their proposed supervisor.
- Research Proposals: * Masters applicants: A draft proposal (maximum 2 pages).
- Doctoral applicants: A draft proposal (maximum 4 pages).
- Note: All proposals must be signed and dated by both the applicant and the proposed supervisor.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official SANSA Fundisa Student Portal. It is recommended that you prepare all your PDF documents in advance, ensuring each file is under 2MB.
- Application Portal: https://www.sansa.org.za/bursaries/
- Closing Date: The typical closing date for the 2026 academic year intake is 30 September 2025.
Contact and Institutional Details
If you have specific questions regarding the application process or the research areas supported, you can reach out to the relevant SANSA offices:
SANSA Pretoria (Head Office)
- Email: information@sansa.org.za
- Physical Address: Shop 2, Enterprise Building, Mark Shuttleworth St, Innovation Hub, Pretoria, 0087
SANSA Hermanus (Space Science)
- Tel: 028 312 1196
- Email: spacesci-info@sansa.org.za
- Physical Address: Hospital St, Hermanus, 7200
SANSA Hartebeesthoek (Space Operations)
- Tel: 012 334 5000
- Email: spaceops-info@sansa.org.za