CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Bursaries 2026: in Collaboration with Sasol Foundation

About CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a preeminent organization for doing research in the fields of science and technology. Its mission is to investigate, develop, localize, and disseminate new technologies in order to speed up socioeconomic development in South Africa.

The work that the organization does helps support a competent state and contributes to the growth of the industrial sector. Through directed research that is linked with the country’s goals, the organization’s mission, and its scientific, engineering, and technological skills, the organization plays an important part in providing assistance for both the public and commercial sectors.

About the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Bursaries 2026
CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) is offering helpful bursary programmes for various undergraduate and postgraduate study courses. Bursaries are awarded by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the purpose of these awards is to encourage and support scientific endeavors throughout the nation. Throughout the course of human history, science has consistently played an important part in advancing society and ensuring its continued prosperity.

Organizations such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have an essential part to play in the furtherance of research and innovation. Stydebts are encouraged to apply for the bursaries with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

This is a fully comprehensive bursary that covers all expenses related to university studies, including:
For undergraduates

• Accommodation
• Tuition fees
• Once-off laptop allowance
• Registration fees
• Living allowances
• Books

Additional benefits
CSIR-Sasol Foundation students will also benefit from a wide range of additional support initiatives, including:

• Recognition of academic excellence through the CSIR Excellence Awards, with certificates and gifts presented to top-performing students;
• Potential work placement opportunities at the CSIR and other partner organisations;
• Interview preparation training offered to final-year students to equip them for the world of work;
• Hands-on experience in tackling real-life socioeconomic challenges through research projects with CSIR co-supervision;
• Comprehensive onboarding sessions, including opportunities to meet the CSIR and Sasol Foundation teams;
• Psychosocial assistance, such as academic and psychological support;
• Student wellness programmes to promote overall well-being;
• Mentorship opportunities, pairing students with senior CSIR professionals; and
• Vacation work placements of up to six (6) weeks each year.

Non-financial support provided

• Onboarding programme
• Mentorship programme
• Psychosocial support
• Personal and academic skills training

Academic merit will be considered during the selection process, and it is imperative to increase the participation of women, black individuals and people with disabilities in science, engineering and technology.

The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Bursaries are available for the following study fields:
Undergraduate Study Fields

• Material Flow Analysis
• Electronic Engineering
• Data Science
• Mechatronic Engineering
• Genetics/Cell Biology
• Information Technology
• Computer Engineering
• System Engineering
• Computer Science
• Process Engineering/Life Cycle Assessment
• Chemical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering

Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Bursaries must fulfill an eligibility criteria before proceeding with their applications. Each of these items below will determine whether you have what it takes to proceed with the bursaries. To guarantee a successful application, candidates are advised to meet all of the following requirements. Failure to do so will cause disadvantageous consequences towards the overall result of your applications. Be sure to jot down these items for personal reference.

The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Bursaries Eligibility Criteria are as follows:
1. General Requirements

• Officially recognized as a citizen of South Africa
• Displays impressive scientific writing abilities
• Organizes their workload effectively
• Manages their time well
• Skilled in conducting research and has a high level of self-motivation
• Be able to work in a team and under minimum supervision
• Carries out research efficiently
• Shows strong technical abilities
• Willing to work under pressure
• Communicatse well with other people (verbal and written)
• Has impressive report writing skills.

2. Specific Requirements for Grade 12 Students

• Plans to enroll at a South African university as a full-time student for the 2026 academic year
• Obtains these scores for the following subjects:
  • English: Level 5 (60%-69%)
  • Mathematics: Level 6 (70%-79%)
  • Physics: Level 6 (70%-79%).

3. Specific Requirements for University Students

• Already enrolled as a full-time student at a South African university
• Passes all of the courses you have taken during your university studies for the study period you have completed.

Application Instructions
Apply online: CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Bursaries 2026.

To visit the aforementioned web URL from your computer, it is strongly suggested that you utilize Google Chrome as your web browser (see above).

You can also submit your application by utilizing your smartphone instead of your PC because this method is significantly more convenient. You can use Google Chrome as your web browser if you are working with an Android operating system on your handheld device. You don’t need to install any other browsers on your phone because Google Chrome comes pre-installed on handsets running the Android operating system.

Candidates are required to make an account for themselves on the application portal before they may submit their applications. Throughout the entirety of the process of registering for this course, it will be necessary to sign into this account.

Candidates will also need to send in the following documents:

• A certfied copy of your barcoded Identity Document
• A copy of your Crriculum Vitae
• An official copy of the applicant’s grade 11 report must be sent with every application from a high school student. If it applies to you, please give evidence that you have been provisionally accepted to a university
• If you are a student who has already finished your matric requirements, please include a copy of your matric certificate that has been verified
• Students applying to tertiary education institutions are required to provide certified copies of their matric exam results in addition to their most recent official transcript. Please merge all of your transcripts into a single document if you have attended more than one educational establishment in the course of your tertiary studies
• Students who are presently enrolled at a tertiary institution must provide evidence that they are registered at a tertiary institution
• Applicants who are less than 18 years old are needed to provide a signed consent form together with a certified copy of their parent or legal guardian’s proof of identification in order to comply with the provisions of POPI.

All these documents must be included in your applications. Incomplete applications will automatically be disqualified from the programme.

By submitting your applications, you are giving the selection committee permission to use your personal information for the purpose of registering you for the event. This can include things like your name, address, and email address.

In order to verify the authenticity of the applications submitted by applicants, those submissions will go through a series of extra screening and verification steps. In the event that it is discovered that an applicant has misrepresented any component of their paperwork, they will not be allowed to take part in the registration process.

Candidates are obligated to submit their applications using the website that is linked above. The committee in charge of selecting winners will not consider any materials that have been submitted through alternative channels, such as hand delivery or fax.

Closing Date
Applications for the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Bursaries must be submitted before the closing date on 29 August 2025.

Make sure you secure your application as soon as possie by registering early. The purpose behind this is to ensure that you have a safe position during the recruitment phase (however, it doesn’t guarantee immediate success).

The selection committee has zero-tolerance for candidates who send in their applications late. All submissions sent past the closing date will automatically be disqualified.

CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) holds all rights to provide anyone with a job position or not. All decisions made by the selection committee are final.

Contact Details
For more information on the CSIR bursary, please contact the CSIR Bursary Programme team.
Tel: +27 12 841 2616
Email: [email protected].