Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

Advancement in the field of science is one of the most important parameters for the development of a society and nation as a whole. The youths of a nation are the future leaders and hence, their upliftment and development are of utmost importance.

Keeping this in mind, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Bursary works to aid deserving students and prepare them to become leaders in specific fields.

About CSIR & its Bursary Program

Established in the year 1945, CSIR is the central research and development organization in South Africa which covers 10% of the African R&D budget. It is based in Pretoria with a campus of its own and staff strength of 3000 technical and scientific researchers.

The CSIR bursary program is based on merit and invites applications from students wishing to pursue a career in research, technology development and innovation as well as corporate/support areas. This institution also aims to encourage female and black students in the fields of Science, Engineering, and Technology.

Students pursuing undergraduate to an Honours degree in the fields that are a priority to CSIR are awarded this Bursary.

Students of the following fields are funded by CSIR:

Undergraduate studies:

Data Science
Electronic Engineering

Honours studies:

Industrial Engineering
Mechatronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Masters studies:

Agricultural Sciences – Crop Science
Analytical Chemistry
Biochemistry
Bio-medical Biology
Biotechnology
Civil Engineering
Computational Biology
Computer Science
Computational and Applied Mathematics
Computer Engineering
Data Science
Economics and Social Science
Economics and Public Policy
Electronic Engineering
Geoinformatics
International Relations
Laser Physics
Machine learning
Mechatronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Powder Metallurgy
Robotics
Science Communications
Statistics
Software Engineering

Doctoral studies:

Applied Mathematics
Agricultural Engineering
Aquaculture
Biochemistry
Bioinformatics
Biotechnology
Cell Biology
Cell and Molecular Biology
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Science and Applied Mathematics
Data Science
Electronic Engineering
Geo-Informatics
Geo-Information Science – Remote Sensing/Data Analytics/Modelling
Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Laser Physics
Medical Microbiology
Medical Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Physics
Software Engineering
Veterinary Science
Virology

Bursary Coverage

Undergraduate & Honours Bursary is a comprehensive bursary. It covers all the costs associated with university studies, such as:

Accommodation
Books
Living Allowances
Registration fees
TuitionOnce off laptop allowance fees

Masters & Doctoral Bursary is a comprehensive bursary. It covers all the costs associated with university studies, such as:

Registration fees
Tuition fees
Living Allowances
Once off laptop allowance fees

Who can Apply?

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying :
Current Matric/ Grade 12 students:

South African citizen
Achieved a minimum of Level 5 (60% – 69%) for English in Matric
Achieved a minimum of Level 6 (70% – 79%) for Mathematics in Matric
Achieved a minimum of Level 6 (70% – 79%) for Physics in Matric
Intend on studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the undergraduate fields listed above, in 2023
Intend on enrolling and studying at a recognized public University in South Africa

Current university students:

South African citizen
Studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the undergraduate or Honours fields listed above
Enrolled and studying at a recognized public University in South Africa
Passed all university courses you have registered for, for the study period completed

Masters and Doctoral applicants:

South African citizen
Intend on studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the Masters or Doctoral fields listed above
Planning to enroll in full-time studies at a recognised public University in South Africa
Passed all university courses you have registered for, for the study period completed
Studying full-time in one of the courses recognized by CSIR
Be studying at a recognized University in South Africa
Impressive technical skills
Scientific writing skills
Par excellence academic record
Motivated to conduct research
Be self-motivated and possess the ability to work independently and in a team
Organizational and time management skills
Report writing capability
Must be able to work under pressure and must possess the strength to meet the scheduled deliveries
Good command of verbal and oral communication
Must have the ability to take initiative

The Application Process

If you meet the eligibility requirements and wish to qualify for bursary assistance, click the link to apply online for the CSIR Bursary Program 2024.

It is important to note that the application form should be filled out accurately. Applications containing misrepresentations or incomplete information will be rejected.

Attach the following documents along with your application

A certified copy of your ID document
Curriculum Vitae
A certified copy of your grade 11 final results AND Matric results to date, if currently in Matric
A certified copy of your matric certificate, if completed Matric
Full and most recent university transcript/ record, if currently studying (on institutions letterhead)
Proof of provisional university acceptance, if currently in Matric (on institutions letterhead)
Proof of university registration, if currently enrolled and studying (on institutions letterhead)
Students under 18: a completed and signed consent form by a parent or guardian – to comply with POPI regulations
A certified copy of your parent/ guardian ID document (for students under 18)

Important Information

Only complete applications will be accepted
The Bursary will be allocated for the academic year 2024
The Bursary covers all the costs related to the University studies
Students will receive a confirmation email once their application is received
Students whose applications are rejected will be advised
Selected candidates will require to attend an interview

The CSIR calls upon all interested and enthusiastic candidates to enroll for this bursary if their field of interest is Research, technology development, and innovation, or corporate/support areas.

Closing Date

The closing date for the CSIR Bursary application is 20 August 2023.

Contact Details of the Bursar

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact CSIR directly:
Recruitment Centre
Tel: 012 842 7518
Email: bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za

Please do not send any questions after the closing date. View our other bursaries/scholarships open for application here: https://allbursaries.co.za/notice/

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Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – CSIR Bursary 2024