SANSA
Faculty / fieldComputer Science & IT, Engineering, Science
Closing date2026-09-30
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is inviting applications for its 2027 Postgraduate Bursary Programme. The bursaries are aimed at students pursuing postgraduate qualifications in relevant Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
The programme supports the development of highly skilled postgraduate graduates in science and engineering and aims to contribute to South Africa's need for scarce and specialised skills.
Successful applicants may receive funding towards their postgraduate studies at Honours, Master's or Doctoral level, depending on their qualification and eligibility.
Bursary Provider
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
Bursary Programme
SANSA 2027 Postgraduate Bursaries
Fields of Study
The bursaries are available to Bachelor of Science and Engineering students pursuing Honours, Master's or Doctoral qualifications in relevant fields.
The fields listed by SANSA include, but are not limited to:
Earth Observation (EO)
Applied Remote Sensing
Applied Remote Sensing and GIS
Botany
Ecology and Resource Management
Environmental Science
Environmental and Geographical Science
Environmental and Water Science
Environmental Geology
Environmental Management
Environmental Science
Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
Geographical and Environmental Science
Geographical Information Systems
Geographical Science
Geography with Remote Sensing and/or GIS
Geography and Environmental Management
Geography and Environmental Science
Geoinformatics
GIS and Remote Sensing
Information Systems and Remote Sensing
Plant and Environmental Science
Statistical Ecology
Space Engineering (SE)
Computer and Electronic Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Information Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering
Space Science (SS)
Applied Mathematics
Energy Studies
Mathematics
Physics
Space Science
Cross-disciplinary Fields
Information Systems
Information Technology
Only applicants studying towards relevant science qualifications will be considered.
Qualification Levels Funded
SANSA provides funding for the following postgraduate qualifications:
Honours
Master's
Doctoral
Bursary Funding Amounts
The available annual funding amounts are:
Honours: R150,000 per year
Master's: R160,000 per year
Doctoral: R170,000 per year
Applicants should consult the official bursary information and application documentation for full details regarding the specific costs covered by the bursary.
Minimum Academic Requirement
Applicants must have achieved an academic average of at least 65% for their last year of study or their most recent examination.
Applicants with an academic average of less than 65% for their last year of study or last examination will not be considered.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit all required supporting documents as part of their application.
The following documents are required:
1. Full Official Academic Record
Applicants must provide a full, official university academic record covering their studies from their first year of study.
The academic record must include the applicant's final year or mid-year 2026 results, where applicable.
2. Undergraduate Funding Proof
Applicants must provide either:
An official undergraduate university student account statement; or
An official letter confirming NSFAS funding for their undergraduate study fees.
3. Certified ID Copy
A certified copy of the applicant's South African identity document must be provided.
The ID copy must have been certified within three months of the application submission date.
4. Testimonial for Master's and Doctoral Applicants
Applicants applying for Master's or Doctoral studies must submit a testimonial from:
A lecturer; or
Their proposed supervisor.
5. Master's Research Proposal
Master's applicants must submit a draft research proposal of no more than two pages.
6. Doctoral Research Proposal
Doctoral applicants must submit a draft research proposal of no more than four pages.
7. Proposal Signatures
All research proposals must be:
Signed by the applicant; and
Signed and dated by the applicant's proposed supervisor.
Important Application Information
Applicants must ensure that all required documentation is submitted correctly.
Applications may be considered incomplete if:
Any required document is missing.
Documents are encrypted or password protected.
The applicant does not meet the relevant academic requirements.
The applicant is not studying towards a relevant science qualification.
The applicant's academic average is below the required 65% threshold.
Applicants are therefore encouraged to carefully review their application and ensure that all documents are uploaded in the required format before submitting.
Who Can Apply?
The SANSA postgraduate bursary opportunity is intended for students pursuing relevant postgraduate qualifications in STEM-related fields, particularly those aligned with SANSA's areas of focus in:
Earth Observation
Space Engineering
Space Science
Relevant Information Systems and Information Technology fields
Applicants should ensure that their qualification and field of study are relevant to the areas listed by SANSA before applying.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants should apply through the official SANSA bursary application process.
Applicants should follow the official application instructions and submit all required supporting documentation.
Bursary Enquiries
For bursary-related enquiries, applicants can contact SANSA Student Queries:
Email: students@sansa.org.za
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Important Notice
Applicants should ensure that they meet all eligibility and academic requirements before submitting an application.
All required documents must be submitted as requested. Missing or encrypted/password-protected documents may result in the application being considered incomplete.
Applicants should also ensure that their academic record reflects the required results and that they are applying for a relevant science or engineering postgraduate qualification.
Disclaimer: Career Unified shares bursary opportunities for informational purposes. Applicants should always verify the latest requirements, closing date and application instructions on the official SANSA website before applying.
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