DSTI-CSIR Inter-Programme Bursary Scheme (IBS) 2027

• Honours, fourth-year engineering or postgraduate diploma: R160 000 per year.
• Master's: R170 000 per year.
• Doctorate: R180 000 per year.
• Once-off laptop allowance of R10 000 on top of the bursary.
• Experimental costs funding of up to R35 000 per year, including access to laboratories at the CSIR and other institutions.
• Conference attendance funding (national and international) of up to R35 000 per year.
• Funding for thesis, dissertation and publication printing costs.
• Vacation work of up to six weeks per year, a mentorship programme with senior CSIR professionals, onboarding, psychosocial support, a student wellness programme, research skills and academic writing workshops, interview skills training for final-year students and the CSIR Emerging Researchers Symposium.
• Payment: the full bursary amount is paid into the student's university account to cover registration and tuition; the university pays the balance to the student monthly or quarterly. Funds paid into the university account cannot be reversed during the academic year.
• Duration for first-time registration: one year for honours, fourth-year engineering or postgraduate diploma; two years for master's; three years for doctoral. Funding is guaranteed for one year at a time and renewed subject to academic performance and sponsor funds. The period is counted from the first year of registration, so a master's student funded from their second registration year receives one year.

The call for the 2027 academic year closes on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. Applicants are notified of their status within two months of the deadline.

1. Check that your degree fits one of the thematic research areas and that you meet the 65% average requirement. Honours, fourth-year engineering and postgraduate diploma applicants must name the thematic focus area they are applying under, and gain an advantage if their final-year project aligns with it.
2. Master's and doctoral applicants secure a supervisor who will endorse and motivate the application.
3. Complete the full online application form through the CSIR bursary portal linked from the official IBS page. Incomplete forms are not considered.
4. Attach proof of South African identity document (or passport for international students, with permanent residency) and your academic transcript showing the required cumulative average in the previous degree.
5. Submit before 15 September 2026, then log in with the details you were given to check your application status.
6. If successful, accept only one government-derived bursary, and submit results each semester (honours level) or mid-year and annual progress reports (master's and doctoral).

Enquiries: [email protected].

• Completed online application form.
• South African identity document, or passport and proof of permanent residency for international students.
• Academic transcript showing the minimum cumulative average in the previous degree.
• Supervisor endorsement and motivation (master's and doctoral applicants).

Applications are assessed against the 65% academic threshold, alignment with the thematic research areas and, for master's and doctoral candidates, supervisor endorsement. Preference is given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and people living with disabilities. Continuation of funding for master's and doctoral students depends on fund availability and progress shown in the annual progress report, with supervisor input. Honours-level students submit results each semester.