The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has opened applications for its Postgraduate Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year. The programme provides financial support to honours, master’s, and doctoral students pursuing qualifications in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines relevant to the space sector. Funding amounts are fixed by qualification level.
Funding Amounts
| Qualification | Annual Bursary Value |
| Honours | R150,000 per annum |
| Masters | R160,000 per annum |
| Doctoral | R170,000 per annum |
Eligible Fields of Study
The bursary covers postgraduate study in fields aligned with three of SANSA’s programme areas: Earth Observation (EO), Space Engineering (SE), and Space Science (SS). Eligible disciplines include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Earth Observation: applied remote sensing, GIS and remote sensing, environmental science, environmental management, geographical science, geoinformatics, ecology, botany, plant and environmental science, and statistical ecology, among others.
- Space Engineering: computer engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics engineering, computer science, and information technology.
- Space Science: physics, space science, applied mathematics, mathematics, and energy studies. Information systems and information technology are listed as applicable across all three programme areas.
Application Requirements
All applications must be submitted through the SANSA online bursary portal. Applications submitted through any other channel will not be accepted. The following documents are required:
- Full official university academic record from first year of study, including final or mid-year 2026 results.
- Official undergraduate university student account statement, or an official letter confirming NSFAS funding for undergraduate study fees.
- A certified copy of a national identity document, certified within three months of application submission.
- Masters and doctoral applicants must include a testimonial from a lecturer or proposed supervisor.
- Master’s applicants must upload a draft research proposal of no more than two pages.
- Doctoral applicants must upload a draft research proposal of no more than four pages.
- All proposals must be signed and dated by both the applicant and their proposed supervisor.
Minimum Academic Requirements
Applicants must have achieved an academic average of at least 65% in their most recent year of study or examination. Applications containing encrypted or password-protected documents, or incomplete submissions, will not be considered.
Context
SANSA is a national entity under the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, operating across space science, space operations, space engineering, and Earth observation. The bursary programme is part of the agency’s human capital development mandate and is aligned with South Africa’s broader National Development Plan goals to increase the number of qualified science and engineering postgraduates.
Contact and Applications
Enquiries can be directed to students@sansa.org.za. Applications are submitted at sansa.org.za/bursaries/application. A closing date for applications had not been publicly specified at the time of publication.
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