DSI-CSIR IBS Bursary for Postgraduate Studies- The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) launched the Inter-bursary Support Program for postgraduate studies in South Africa to support capacity development in key strategic and priority areas identified in key departmental strategies.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is supporting the DSI in the development of skills in these areas. It is a leading scientific and technology research organization that researches, develops, localizes, and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa.
Scholarship Summary
- Organization: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- Basic Qualifications: Postgraduate Students
- Program Location: South Africa
- Nationality: All Nationalities
- Program Type: Bursary
- Available Slot: Several
ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – DSI & CSIR
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), established in the year 1945, is a premier and central research and development organization in South Africa. The DSI seeks to accomplish groundbreaking science and ensure the well-being of all South Africans, through its various Programs and entities they work with.
The CSIR is Africa’s biggest research and development organization, which covers approximately 10% of the whole African African R&D budget. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is committed to encouraging socio-economic development in South Africa, by way of research and innovation.
ABOUT THE DSI-CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are inviting students to apply for the DSI-CSIR Inter-Bursary Support (IBS) program, for the 2025 academic year.
The bursary will be awarded for Postgraduate studies (Honours/ 4th year Engineering/ Postgraduate Diploma/ Masters/ Doctoral), in the following Thematic Research Focus Areas:
- Biocatalysis
- Modeling and Digital Sciences
- Titanium (Manufacturing Elements)
- Biopharming
- indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
- Microsystems Technology
- Mining
- Bioprocessing
- Photonics
- Water Research
- Health
- ICT
The Inter-Bursary Support (IBS) program was established by the DSI to support capacity development in key and priority areas, as identified in key departmental strategies. The bursary is supported by the CSIR, to support the development of skills in these areas.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DSI-CSIR BURSARY
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be studying or accepted/ registered to study at a public university in South Africa
- You may be a South African citizen OR a South African permanent resident
- You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards a postgraduate qualification in one of the Thematic areas listed above, in 2025
- You must NOT be receiving any other bursary funding
- Doctoral applicants: you must NOT be older than 32 years old and you must have achieved a minimum average of 65% at the Masters level
- Masters and Doctoral applicants: you must have supervisor endorsement and motivation
- Masters applicants: you must NOT be older than 30 years old and you must have achieved a minimum average of 65% for all major subjects in your Honors level or final year of a 4-year degree
- Honors applicants: you must NOT be older than 28 years old and you must have achieved a minimum average of 65% for all major subjects in your final year of undergraduate study
- Preference will be given to students with disabilities and students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds
Required Documents
Please prepare the following documents:
- All Applicants Must Submit
- Certified copy of Applicant RSA ID
- OPTIONAL- 2024 Proof of Registration if studying in 2024
- OPTIONAL- Admission Letter for 2025 Study Program
- 2023 (or last completed qualification) end-of-year Official Final Academic results (official institution report) [or police affidavit stating why the student wasn’t schooling]
- OPTIONAL- If Applicant is disabled? Submit Dept. of Labour Employment Equity Act (EEA1) Form AND a Doctors’ Letter [*]
- Certified Copy of Applicant’s Matric Certificate
Application Procedures for DSI-CSIR IBS Bursary for Postgraduate Studies
How-to-Apply: To apply for the DSI-CSIR IBS Bursary, Please read these notes and instructions carefully before completing the Application form. Be sure to read every section and ensure that the information you provide is accurate.
- Please ensure that you attach ALL of the Required Documents
- Applications that are incomplete and that include misrepresentations will immediately be disregarded.
- It is the student’s responsibility to apply for entrance for their intended course, and university and to ensure that they can meet the entrance requirements stipulated for the course.
- It is the responsibility of the student to find a suitable supervisor and to ensure the supervisor supports the application.
- Please select the correct funding opportunity when completing your application.
- Please ensure that you complete all the sections of this application form.
Closing date for application type
Bursary allocation year for application type:
- 2025 DSI-CSIR IBS BURSARY will be allocated for the 2025 academic year
MORE ABOUT THE CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE
The bursary value will be determined by the level of study:
- Doctoral students will receive coverage up to R160 000 per annum.
- Honors, 4th year Engineering, and Postgraduate Diploma students will receive cover up to R130 000 per annum.
- Masters students will receive coverage up to R140 000 per annum.
- Bursary recipients will also receive a once-off laptop allowance of R10 000.
MORE ABOUT THE CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – SELECTION
- Applicants are also able to check the status of their application by logging in to the application portal.
- All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within 2 months of the closing date – if you do not receive any feedback, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
Read Also: