SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
The SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme funds Honours, Master's and Doctoral students pursuing STEM qualifications linked to South Africa's space sector, including space science, Earth observation, remote sensing, GIS and engineering. It targets financially needy, high-achieving students under the age of 32 who want to build a career in the country's growing space industry.
- Amount
- Honours: R150,000 p.a. | Master's: R160,000 p.a. | Doctoral: R170,000 p.a.
- Deadline
- 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 or African citizen
- ✓ Aged 32 or younger at the time of application
- ✓ Studying or planning to study towards a postgraduate STEM qualification (Honours, Master's or Doctoral) at a recognised university
- ✓ Minimum academic average of 65% in the last year of study or examination
- ✓ Demonstrated financial need
- ✓ Strong academic potential and a genuine interest in contributing to South Africa's space sector
- ✓ Field of study aligned with SANSA's focus areas (space science, Earth observation, engineering or related STEM)
What's Included
- ✓ Honours funding of R150,000 per annum
- ✓ Master's funding of R160,000 per annum
- ✓ Doctoral funding of R170,000 per annum
- ✓ Renewable each year subject to satisfactory academic progress
- ✓ Funding covers tuition and study-related allowances
- ✓ Exposure to SANSA's research community and space-sector projects
- ✓ Pathway into careers in South Africa's space and Earth-observation industry
How to Apply
Steps to complete your South African National Space Agency (SANSA) bursary application
- 1
Visit the SANSA bursaries page at sansa.org.za/bursaries and confirm that applications are open and that your field of study is eligible
- 2
Complete the online SANSA bursary application form at sansa.org.za/bursaries/application
- 3
Prepare all supporting documents in unprotected, unlocked PDF format
- 4
Master's and Doctoral applicants must include a research proposal signed and dated by both the applicant and the proposed supervisor (PhD proposals are limited to a maximum of 4 pages)
- 5
Submit your full application with all required documents before the closing date
- 6
Wait for SANSA to review applications and contact shortlisted candidates
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of your South African ID document (certified within the last three months, in PDF format)
- 📄 Full university academic record from first year of study up to the most recent mid-year results (in PDF format)
- 📄 Proof of registration or acceptance at a recognised university
- 📄 Curriculum Vitae
- 📄 Proof of household income / financial need
- 📄 Research proposal signed by the applicant and proposed supervisor (Master's and Doctoral applicants)
- 📄 Motivational letter outlining your interest in the space sector
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much is the SANSA postgraduate bursary worth?
- Funding is awarded by study level: R150,000 per year for Honours students, R160,000 per year for Master's students and R170,000 per year for Doctoral students. The bursary is renewable each year subject to satisfactory academic progress.
- Who qualifies for the SANSA bursary?
- You must be studying (or planning to study) a postgraduate STEM qualification linked to the space sector, be 32 years old or younger, have a minimum average of 65% in your last year of study, and demonstrate financial need. SANSA prioritises South African and African students with strong academic potential.
- Which fields of study does SANSA fund?
- SANSA supports a broad range of STEM disciplines connected to space, including space science, Earth observation, remote sensing, GIS, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, information technology, and electronic, electrical, computer, mechanical and mechatronics engineering, among others.
- When does the SANSA bursary close?
- Applications typically close on 30 September each year for the following academic intake. Confirm the exact closing date on the official SANSA bursaries page before you submit, as dates can change from year to year.
Ready to apply?
Applications close on 30 September 2026
Apply on South African National Space Agency (SANSA)'s official siteInformation verified 2026-06-08. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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