IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) Bursaries 2026: Welcome People with Disabilities

About the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation)
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is a South African establishment that was formed in 1940. Under the supervsion of the South African government, the corporation was founded via the Act of Parliament. The IDC’s goals are connected with the national policy direction as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP), Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP), and industry Master Plans.

The corporation’s mandate is to maximize their development impact through job-rich industrialisation while also contributing to an inclusive economy by, among other things, funding black-owned and empowered companies, black industrialists, women-owned and empowered enterprises, and youth-owned and empowered enterprises, among other initiatives.

About the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) Bursaries 2026
IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) is offering financial assistance for bright-minded South African students planning to continue full-time studies. The IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) Bursaries is an all-inclusive programme that welcomes people of all different backgrounds. As an awardee, you will be provided with the necessary support to chase after your academic qualification. If you display exemplary academic scores and valuable qualities as a student, you are more than encouraged to give this opportunity a shot.

The IDC External Bursary is available to eligible unemployed South African citizens who demonstrate financial need. Applicants must be enrolled in, or planning to pursue, full-time studies in one of the listed qualifications below:
Finance/Management/other Courses:

• Risk Management
• Financial Accounting
• Supply Chain Management
• Business Management
• Accounting (CA)
• Transport or Logistics Management
• Econometrics
• Financial Management
• Finance Studies
• Entrepreneurship
• Internal Audit
• Investment Management
• Economics
• Financial Engineering
• Cost and Management Accounting

STEM Courses:

• Mining Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Studies
• Mathematics or Statistics
• Industrial Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Electrical Engineering
• Actuarial or Data Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Geology
• BCom Information Systems
• Mechatronic Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Computer Science/Information Science
• Civil/Construction/Quantity Survey Engineering
• Metallurgy Engineering
• Physics
• Information Technology
• Quantitative Risk Management
• Chemical Engineering
• Bachelor of Sciences
• Electronic Engineering
• Agricultural Studies
• Environmental Science

Law Courses:

• Diploma Law Studies
• Bachelor of Law (LLB)
• BCom Law (Commercial Law)

Post Graduate Studies:

• Accounting CTA
• Mathematics or Statistics
• Actuarial Science
• Post Grad in Law.

The IDC Bursary will cover a range of study-related expenses, including full tuition fees, university accommodation or accredited off-campus housing, as well as a once-off laptop. In addition, recipients will receive a meal allowance and a transport allowance to support their studies.

The bursary is only available for 1 academic year. If you wish to renew your bursary, you will need to send in a progress report to show your current academic progress.

Please be kindly informed that recipients will need to work for the IDC for a certain amount of time that is required to pursue the bursary.

Eligibility Criteria
Make sure to send in your application as soon as possible. But first and foremost, you must review the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) Bursaries’ qualifying requirements. These factors will decide whether or not you would be a good candidate. If you’d like to double-check your credentials, please see the qualifying requirements listed below. If you want to increase your chances of success, it’s best if you can fulfill everything on the following list.

The IDC External Bursary will only be awarded to applicants pursuing their first qualification at undergraduate level. Second qualifications and postgraduate studies will not be funded.

Exceptions are made for postgraduate applicants studying in the following fields:

• Law
• Accounting (CA)
• Actuarial Science
• Mathematics & Statistics

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a South African citizen not older than 26 years
• Priority will be given to applicants who studied or matriculated at Quintile 1, 2, and 3 public schools, schools from previously disadvantaged communities, or rural areas
• Applicants’ parents must have a combined household income of up to R350 000 per annum
• Applicants whose parents earn a combined household income between R350 000 and R600 000 per annum may also be considered, subject to an affordability assessment as part of the selection process
• Selection Weighting System:
  • Preference will be given to applicants living with disabilities
  • Matriculants must have obtained a minimum average of 75% in their most recent results
  • Current tertiary students must have achieved a minimum average of 65% in their most recent results and are required to maintain at least a 60% GPA throughout their studies
  • Applicants must be admitted to study at a South African public university or university of technology.

Application Instructions
Apply online: IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) Bursaries 2026.

If you wish to apply for this bursary, please ensure that you upload the following required documents as part of your application below:

• Certified copy of your South African ID (not older than three months)
• Proof of residence (recently certified)
• Matric certificate (if you have already completed Matric)
• 2025 Matriculants must submit their Grade 11 results together with their June 2025 results
• 2025 mid-year (first semester) results, or the most recent results if not currently studying
• Certified ID copies of both parents/guardians
• Parent(s) death certificate(s), if applicable
• Divorce certificate (if parents are divorced) or a sworn statement from one parent if separated
• Documents verifying household income:
  • Latest certified payslip (if employed)
  • Three months’ bank statements for both parents (if employed)
  • Affidavit declaring annual income (if unemployed)
  • Six months’ bank statements (if unemployed and self-employed)
  • SASSA letter confirming grants received (if applicable).

Important Note: All submitted documents must be recently certified and not older than three months.

The selection committee will use the information you provide to register you for the event. By submitting your applications, you are giving the committee permission to use your personal information for this reason.

It is necessary for candidates to submit their applications via the website listed above. Attempts to submit documents by other methods, such as by hand delivery or fax, will be denied by the committee evaluating the application.

Closing Date
Applications for the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) Bursaries must be submitted before the closing date on 30 September 2025.

Be sure to send in your applications as soon as possible. An early submission can help you guarantee a spot during the registration period. Plus, it prevents any unwanted last-minute incidents, like sudden heavy Internet traffic or missing documents.

Applications for the programme must be submitted before the closing date. Late applications will not be tolerated by the selection committee, and these kinds of submissions will be disqualified by the programme.

IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) holds all rights to appoint anyone during the recruitment period. All decisions made by the selection committee are final.

Applicants who are selected will receive notification by email.

Applications must be submitted online, accompanied by clear copies of all required supporting documents, and applicants are required to complete the interview questionnaire.

If you have any queries, please contact Noluthando Baepi on +27 11 269 3374 or email [email protected] or [email protected].