SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) funds South African postgraduate students pursuing Honours, Master's and Doctoral studies in STEM fields aligned to its space mandate. The programme targets young researchers in earth observation, space engineering, space science and data science who want to build careers connected to South Africa's growing space sector. Bursaries are valued at R150,000 to R170,000 per annum depending on study level.
- Amount
- Honours: R150,000 per annum; Masters: R160,000 per annum; Doctoral/PhD: R170,000 per annum
- Deadline
- Closed 30 September 2026
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
South African National Space Agency (SANSA) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen
- ✓ Aged 32 years or younger
- ✓ Studying or intending to study toward a postgraduate STEM qualification (Honours, Master's or Doctorate)
- ✓ Minimum 65% academic average in the most recent academic year or final examination
- ✓ Submit full official university academic record from first year of study
- ✓ Provide official undergraduate funding documentation
- ✓ Master's and Doctoral applicants must include a testimonial from a lecturer or proposed supervisor
- ✓ Master's applicants must submit a draft research proposal (max 2 pages); Doctoral applicants a draft proposal (max 4 pages) signed by the applicant and supervisor
What's Included
- ✓ Honours bursary of R150,000 per annum
- ✓ Master's bursary of R160,000 per annum
- ✓ Doctoral/PhD bursary of R170,000 per annum
- ✓ Funding to pursue postgraduate STEM studies aligned to SANSA's mandate in space science, earth observation and space engineering
- ✓ Renewable each year subject to satisfactory academic progress
- ✓ Exposure to South Africa's national space agency and its research community
How to Apply
Steps to complete your South African National Space Agency (SANSA) bursary application
- 1
Visit the official SANSA bursaries page at sansa.org.za/bursaries
- 2
Review the eligibility criteria and confirm the current intake's closing date
- 3
Complete the online application via the SANSA bursaries portal
- 4
Upload your full official university academic record from first year of study
- 5
Attach your certified ID copy, undergraduate funding documentation and (for Master's/Doctoral applicants) a supervisor testimonial and draft research proposal
- 6
Submit the complete application before the closing date — incomplete applications are rejected
- 7
Wait for SANSA's review and award decision
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of South African ID (certified within the last 3 months)
- 📄 Full official university academic record from first year of study
- 📄 Official undergraduate funding documentation
- 📄 Testimonial from a lecturer or proposed supervisor (Master's and Doctoral applicants)
- 📄 Draft research proposal — max 2 pages for Master's, max 4 pages for Doctoral applicants, signed by the applicant and supervisor
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much is the SANSA postgraduate bursary worth?
- The annual value depends on your study level: R150,000 for Honours, R160,000 for Master's and R170,000 for Doctoral/PhD studies. The bursary supports postgraduate STEM study aligned to SANSA's space mandate.
- Who is eligible for the SANSA bursary?
- You must be a South African citizen aged 32 or younger, studying or intending to study a postgraduate STEM qualification (Honours, Master's or Doctorate) with at least a 65% average in your most recent academic year. Master's and Doctoral applicants also need a supervisor testimonial and a draft research proposal.
- Which fields does SANSA fund?
- SANSA funds postgraduate study aligned to its mandate, including earth observation (remote sensing, GIS, geography, environmental sciences), space engineering (computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering), space science (mathematics, physics, energy studies) and data science.
- When does the SANSA bursary close?
- The programme runs on an annual cycle, with applications typically opening mid-year and closing around 30 September. For the 2026 intake the advertised closing date was 30 September 2025. Always confirm the current year's deadline on the official SANSA bursaries page before applying.
2027 applications have closed
The 2027 application window closed on 30 September 2026.
Check South African National Space Agency (SANSA)'s official site for the next application window.
Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.
Check South African National Space Agency (SANSA)'s official siteNeed help? Contact South African National Space Agency (SANSA):
Email: students@sansa.org.za
Phone: 012 334 5000
Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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