South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Bursary

Who can apply

• 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 32 years old or younger
• You must be studying or intend on studying towards a postgraduate STEM qualification, including not not limited to the fields listed above
• You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% in your last year of studies or last examination
• You must have strong academic potential
• You must have proven financial need
• You must be interested in working within the space sector

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to South African National Space - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Bursary South Africa 2027

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE SANSA BURSARY COVER?

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2027 academic year.

SANSA will be awarding bursaries for Postgraduate (Honours, Masters or Doctoral) degree studies, including but not limited to the following STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematic) fields:

• Applied Mathematics
• Applied Remote sensing
• Applied Remote Sensing & GIS
• Botany
• Computer & Electronic Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Ecology & Resource Management
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Energy studies
• Environmental & Geographical Science
• Environmental & Science
• Environmental & Water Science
• Environmental Geology
• Environmental Management
• Environmental Science
• Geographical & Environmental Science
• Geographical Information Systems
• Geographical Information Systems & Remote Sensing
• Geographical Science
• Geography & Environmental Management
• Geography and Environmental Science
• Geography with Remote Sensing and/GIS
• Geoinformatics
• GIS & Remote Sensing
• Information Systems
• Information Systems & Remote Sensing
• Information Technology
• Information Technology
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Physics
• Plant & Environmental Science
• Space Science
• Statistical Ecology

South Africa requires more graduates in science and engineering to adequately equip the country with critical skills needed to fulfill the objectives of the National Development Plan and secure a prosperous and sustainable future for our people. SANSA offers scholarships for postgraduate degrees to help meet the national goal of having qualified postgraduates in science and engineering disciplines.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THE SANSA BURSARY?

The bursary value depend on the level of study:

• Honours students will receive funding to the value of R150 000 per annum
• Masters students will receive funding to the value of R160 000 per annum
• Doctoral students will receive funding to the value of R170 000 per annum

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE SANSA 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 32 years old or younger
• You must be studying or intend on studying towards a postgraduate STEM qualification, including not not limited to the fields listed above
• You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% in your last year of studies or last examination
• You must have strong academic potential
• You must have proven financial need
• You must be interested in working within the space sector

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE SANSA BURSARY?

Applications must be submitted online at: SANSA Bursary Application 2027

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the SANSA bursary.

WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I SUBMIT FOR THE SANSA BURSARY?

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory - if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document (certified within 3 months - in PDF format)
• Full university academic record, from 1st year of study, including final year or midyear 2026 final results (in PDF format)
• Official undergraduate university student account statement or official letter for NSFAS funding for your undergraduate study fees
• Masters and doctoral students: completed SANSA testimonial by education official: lecturer or proposed supervisor (in PDF format)
• Masters applicants: draft proposal, maximum 2 pages (signed and dated by the applicant and proposed supervisor)
• Doctoral applicants: draft proposals, maximum 4 pages (signed and dated by the applicant and proposed supervisor)

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SANSA BURSARY?

30 September 2026.

(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted - please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER?

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact SANSA directly:Email: grants@sansa.org.za

WHAT DOES SANSA DO?

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA), established in 2010, are a public entity and government agency operating under the National Department of Science and Technology (DST).

SANSA are responsible developing and promoting aeronautics and aerospace space research, with the companies main focus on utilising data acquired from remote sensing via satellites and other projects to provide assessment about fires, flooding, environmental phenomena and resource management both within the country and throughout Africa.

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