DSTI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme (South Africa)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

The DSTI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme (IBS) provides financial support to postgraduate students in South Africa pursuing studies in critical, strategic, and priority research areas. Established by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the scheme is implemented in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to strengthen postgraduate education, skills development, and research capacity in South Africa. Depending on the level of study, successful applicants can receive between R160,000 and R180,000, together with a once-off laptop allowance of R10,000.

About the DSTI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme

The Inter-programme Bursary Scheme was established to advance postgraduate studies and capacity development in research fields considered important to South Africa’s national development. DSTI and CSIR collaborate through the scheme to develop advanced skills and support the country’s broader innovation and research ecosystem. The bursary focuses on research areas that can contribute to addressing important scientific, technological, environmental, agricultural, economic, and societal challenges. How Much Funding Is Available? The bursary amount depends on the applicant’s level of study.

- Honours students: R160,000 plus a once-off laptop allowance of R10,000

- Master’s students: R170,000 plus a once-off laptop allowance of R10,000

- Doctoral students: R180,000 plus a once-off laptop allowance of R10,000

The laptop allowance is provided as a once-off amount in addition to the relevant bursary value. What Research Areas Are Supported? The DSTI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme supports postgraduate research across a broad range of critical and strategic fields.

The thematic research areas include:

- Biotechnology - Health sciences - Biochemistry - Information and communications technology - Engineering - Indigenous knowledge systems - Bioeconomy - Agriculture - Climate change - Technology innovations - Energy - Mining - Photonics - Water research - Titanium manufacturing - Simulation and modelling These research areas are aligned with national priorities and are intended to help address pressing scientific, technological, and societal challenges. Who Can Apply? The scheme is intended for students pursuing eligible postgraduate studies at South African public universities.

Applicants must:

- Be accepted or registered for full-time studies at a South African public university - Intend to pursue an eligible honours, fourth-year engineering, postgraduate diploma, master’s, or doctoral programme - Conduct their studies in one of the specified critical, strategic, or priority research areas - Meet the applicable academic performance requirement for their level of study Academic Requirements for Honours and Related Studies Applicants for honours, fourth-year engineering, and postgraduate diploma bursaries must have achieved a minimum average of 65% in their final undergraduate year. This requirement applies to students seeking support at these study levels. Academic Requirements for Master’s Studies Applicants seeking a master’s bursary must have achieved a minimum average of 65% at honours level. Students should therefore demonstrate strong academic performance in their honours qualification when applying for master’s-level support. Academic Requirements for Doctoral Studies Applicants applying for a doctoral bursary must have achieved a minimum average of 65% at master’s level. The academic requirement is intended to ensure that doctoral bursary recipients have demonstrated strong postgraduate academic performance. Study Level and Bursary Amount The scheme provides different levels of financial support depending on the qualification being pursued. Honours, Fourth-Year Engineering and Postgraduate Diploma Eligible students can receive R160,000, together with a once-off R10,000 laptop allowance. Applicants must have achieved at least a 65% average in their final undergraduate year. Master’s Degree Master’s students can receive R170,000, plus a once-off R10,000 laptop allowance. Applicants must have achieved at least 65% at honours level. Doctoral Degree Doctoral students can receive R180,000, plus a once-off R10,000 laptop allowance. Applicants must have achieved at least 65% at master’s level. Supporting South Africa’s Research and Innovation Ecosystem The DSTI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme is designed to strengthen the skills and research capacity needed to support South Africa’s scientific and technological development. By supporting postgraduate students in strategic research areas, the scheme contributes to the development of researchers and specialists in fields that are important to national priorities. The wide range of supported disciplines also provides opportunities for students working across science, technology, engineering, agriculture, environmental research, health, and other strategic areas. Importance of Critical and Strategic Research Areas The programme’s research priorities cover areas with significant implications for South Africa’s future development. Fields such as agriculture, climate change, water research, energy, biotechnology, mining, engineering, health sciences, and ICT can contribute to solutions for complex national challenges. The inclusion of cross-cutting areas such as simulation and modelling also supports research approaches that can be applied across multiple scientific and technological disciplines. Key Facts About the DSTI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme

- Programme: DSTI-CSIR Inter-programme Bursary Scheme

- Abbreviation: IBS

- Established by: Department of Science, Technology and Innovation

- Partner organisation: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

- Location: South Africa

- Study mode: Full-time

- Eligible institutions: South African public universities

- Honours funding: R160,000

- Master’s funding: R170,000

- Doctoral funding: R180,000

- Laptop al