DSI-CSIR Bursary Support Programme 2025

Bursary Details

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have opened the call for applications for the DSI-CSIR Inter-Bursary Support Programme 2025.

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has recently launched its inter-programme postgraduate bursary support scheme, aimed at supporting capacity development in 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. The IBS postgraduate bursary support is intended for full-time studies for honours/4th-year Engineering/postgraduate diploma, master's or PhD degrees at any South African public university.

The focus areas for the bursary support are restricted to the following research areas:  

• Mining
• Modelling and Digital Sciences
• Microsystems Technology
• Titanium (Manufacturing Elements)
• Photonics
• Biotechnology (Biopharming, Bioprocessing or Biocatalysis)
• Information and Communications Technology
• IKS (Indigenous Knowledge Systems)
• Health

Preference will be given to those whose study areas are aligned with the above-mentioned priority research areas.

Bursary Enquiries

For more information on the CSIR bursary, please contact CSIR recruitment centre:
Tel: +27(12) 841 3256
Email: bursaryprogramme [at] csir.co.za (bursaryprogramme[at]csir[dot]co[dot]za)

Conditions of Bursary

You are obligated to work back every year that the CSIR has funded.

Bursary Inclusion

This is a comprehensive bursary, and it covers all the costs associated with university studies, such as:

For undergraduates - Honours

• Registration fees
• Tuition fees
• Books
• Accommodation
• Living Allowances
• Once off laptop allowance

For Maters and Doctoral

• Registration fees
• Tuition fees
• Living Allowances
• Once off laptop allowance

Academic merit will be considered during the selection process, as well as the imperative to increase the participation of women and black people in science, engineering and technology.

Non-financial support

• Full wrap around support and vacation work.

Field of Study Agriculture Anatomical Science Animal Archaeology & Environmental Studies Biological and Life Sciences Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Chemistry Civil & Environmental Engineering Computational & Applied Mathematics Computer Science Earth Sciences Electrical & Information Engineering Electronic Engineering Engineering & the Built Environment Geography Geology Geosciences Health Science Education Health Sciences Industrial Industrial & Aeronautical Engineering Information Systems Mathematics Mechanical Mechatronic Plant & Environmental Sciences Public Health Science Statistics & Actuarial Science Surveying Technology IT