About the CSIR-DSTI Inter-Programme Bursary 2027
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is accepting applications for the 2027 CSIR-DSTI Inter-Programme Bursary Scheme. The programme is funded by South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and supports full-time postgraduate study at South African public universities. The official CSIR page states that the 2027 call is open and closes on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
The bursary targets Honours, fourth-year Engineering or Postgraduate Diploma, master’s and doctoral study in research fields aligned with national science, technology and innovation priorities.
Study Levels Supported
- Honours
- Fourth-year Engineering
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral / PhD degree
Applicants should be approved or registered for full-time study at a South African public university and their degree should align with one of the programme’s identified research themes.
Priority Research Areas
The official programme lists thematic areas including biocatalysis, biopharming, bioprocessing, health, ICT, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, microsystems technology, mining, modelling and digital sciences, titanium-related manufacturing, photonics and water research.
Because the scheme is research-focused, applicants should check that their exact degree and proposed research area fit the current guidelines before submitting an application.
Bursary Value
The annual award value depends on the level of study. For the 2027 call, CSIR lists R160,000 for Honours, fourth-year Engineering or Postgraduate Diploma study, R170,000 for master’s study and R180,000 for doctoral study. Students also receive a once-off laptop allowance of R10,000.
The programme can also provide additional forms of research and academic support. CSIR lists possible experimental-cost funding of up to R35,000 per year and an opportunity for national or international conference support of up to R35,000 per year, subject to the programme’s conditions.
Additional Development Support
Bursary recipients may benefit from CSIR initiatives such as recognition for top-performing students, possible work-placement opportunities, interview-skills training, research co-supervision, onboarding support, student wellness and psychosocial support, mentorship by senior CSIR professionals, research-skills workshops and vacation-work opportunities.
The programme also provides opportunities for students to connect academic research with practical socioeconomic challenges, which can be useful for postgraduate students building research and professional experience.
Eligibility and Application Checks
The core programme page states that applicants must be approved or registered for full-time study at a South African public university at one of the supported levels. The programme FAQ also sets academic and other eligibility conditions, so applicants should read the current guidelines and FAQ in full rather than assuming that study level alone guarantees eligibility.
International applicants should pay particular attention to the residency and documentation conditions in the official FAQ. Applicants must also make sure that their study area matches the listed research themes and that all required documents are uploaded before the deadline.
How to Apply
Applications and application-status access are handled through CSIR’s bursary system. Create or use your existing bursary account, complete all required sections and upload the documents requested for your study level. Review the application carefully before final submission.
The closing date is 15 September 2026. Late applications are not accepted according to the programme FAQ, so applicants should complete their submission in advance and keep proof that the application was successfully submitted.
