Advancement in the field of science is one of the most important parameters for the development of a society and nation.  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
• Tuition (Once 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.

About Vodacom

African mobile communications provider Vodacom, primarily owned by Vodafone. The corporation, which has its headquarters in South Africa, is present in up to 40 different African nations, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Vodacom provides more than 50 million consumers with a variety of convergent services, including messaging, voice, and internet access.

The development of a digital society in which everyone participates in the digital economy is one of the company’s goals.

Along with its usual business operations, the corporation also manages a charity called “The Vodacom Foundation” that strives to advance society.

About The Vodacom Bursary Programme 2024

The bursary is intended for South African university students in their first, second, and third years who are majoring in STEM fields. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

More specifically, the Vodacom bursary will cover the following fields of study:

• Information Technology
• Information Systems
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical or Electronics Engineering
• Mathematical Sciences
• Mathematics
• Data Analytics

Students are selected based on their merit and the need for financial assistance.

The bursary covers the cost of the full-time education and will pay for the following:

• Programme registration cost
• Tuition cost
• Accommodation cost (full coverage for university accommodation and capped for private stays)
• Textbook expenses
• Meals

In addition, beneficiaries will also receive laptops, mobile phones, workshops for orientation, exposure to the industry, and access to the Wellness Programme (ICAS) service. These strategies will all support students in entering the workforce as soon as possible.

Eligibility Criteria

Vodacom has a screening procedure in place to choose the top applicants for the bursary program. The criteria for eligibility make up the first half. These conditions must be met by all applicants. If this isn’t done, the application will be turned down.

The eligibility criteria for the Vodacom bursary programme are:

• Must be a South African citizen
• Must have either completed Matriculation or currently in Matric
• Achieved an exemption pass in Matric
• Should have scored at least 70% in all subjects in Matric
• Should have an average of 65% if studying at tertiary level
• Must be either pursuing or willing to pursue a full-time course
• The field of study must be from STEM
• Should be starting their first, second, or third year from 2023
• Must be willing to study at the University of Technology in South Africa or a recognized university
• Should lack the monetary resources to complete the education

How To Apply?

Create An Account

• Creating an account on the Vodacom portal is the first step. This is crucial because it’s how the organization manages your bursary application. To register, click the “Register” button at the top.

Submit An Online Application Form

• Log into your account after creating one to finish the online application form. On the form, you must fill up your personal and academic information. It’s crucial that you respond to every question, unless it doesn’t apply to your situation. Forms that are not complete are rejected without informing the applicants.

Submit Necessary Documents

• The requested documents must be submitted as the last step. For the processing of your application, they are crucial. The following documents must be prepared and submitted:

1. ID documents
2. Matric certificate
3. Academic records received to date (on official letterhead)
4. Admission proof that you’re selected into a tertiary institution
5. Documents regarding any other bursary you might be using
6. The documents should be certified copies. You need to upload them into the portal.

Contact Details

You can contact the bursary provider at this email address: externalbursaries@vodacom.co.za. You’ll get a response within 48 hours.

Closing Date

The last date to apply for the Vodacom bursary is 31 August 2023.

Milliman, an esteemed international actuarial and consulting firm headquartered in Washington, USA, has been making significant contributions since its establishment in 1947. With a global presence and offices in major cities worldwide, the company serves as an independent leader in risk management, benefits, and technology solutions.

Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity, Milliman took a proactive step by establishing the Milliman Opportunity Scholarship program. This program aims to empower students from historically under-represented ethnic groups to pursue their studies in crucial fields such as actuarial science, data science, computer science, economics, and programming. To ensure the effective administration of the scholarship program, Milliman has partnered with Scholarship America®, the largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance, and education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals within the USA.

Fields Covered

Milliman is pleased to announce its Scholarship programme for the 2024 academic year, and encourages students to submit their applications. This prestigious opportunity is available to students hailing from South Africa, as well as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. The scholarship is specifically designed for undergraduate students pursuing studies in any of the following fields of specialization:

• Actuarial Science
• Computer Science
• Data Analytics
• Economics
• Finance
• Mathematics
• Data Science
• Programming
• Statistics
• The scholarship will cover studies for the 2024 academic year for students from South Africa or Australia, and will cover studies for the 2023-2024 academic year for students from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland.

Coverage value and selection

Milliman will generously grant scholarships to a range of 15 to 25 students, ensuring each recipient receives a minimum of USD 5,000 (equivalent to over R90,000). It is important to note that students are required to reapply for funding on an annual basis. Aspiring applicants should carefully consider the following selection criteria:

• All applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship America evaluation team.
• Scholarship America will select finalists based on: candidates’ academic records and responses to 3 essay questions.
• Milliman Inc. will select recipients from the group of finalists. The following may be taken into consideration: demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, and financial need as stated in the application.
• Preference will be given to previous scholarship recipients.
• Applicants will be notified of their outcome towards the end of June 2023.
• Scholarship America will process payments on behalf of Milliman – payments will be issued to the institution in August 2023. Students outside the United States and Canada will receive funds via wire transfer.
• Scholars and institutions must be eligible to receive funds from the United States per the Office of Foreign Assets Control, United States Department of the Treasury.

Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must belong to one of these qualified ethnic minority groups:
  • South African citizens: must have at least 1 birth parent who is Black or Coloured
  • United States and Canada citizens: must have at least 1 birth parent who is of African descent, Latino/ Hispanic, Native North American, or Pacific Islander
  • United Kingdom and Ireland citizens: must have at least 1 birth parent who is Black African, Black Caribbean, Irish Traveller or Gypsy
  • Australian citizens: must have at least 1 birth parent who is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• You must reside in and attend a university in one of these countries: South Africa, Australia, the United States, Canada, Ireland or the United Kingdom
• You must be in your final year of high school (Matric or high school senior) OR pursuing undergraduate studies (technical or university-level)
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must be studying or intend on studying at an accredited college or university in one of the countries listed above
• You must intend on pursuing full-time undergraduate studies within one of the fields listed above

How to apply

The submission of applications must be done through the online platform.

APPLY NOW

Applicants will be required to Create an Account before they can log in and apply.

Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) invites South African students to apply for Bursary Programme 2024 academic year.

Closing Date: 31 October 2023

DALRRD is planning to provide extensive bursaries to eligible applicants who are dedicated to advancing their studies in specific fields within the agriculture, land reform, and rural development sector for the upcoming academic year of 2024. These bursaries will encompass various expenses such as tuition fees, accommodation, books, meals, and a monthly allowance. The primary focus of these bursary awards is to support individuals who have faced disadvantages and come from impoverished backgrounds, particularly those residing in poverty-stricken and rural communities.

• Applicants must be South African citizens.
• Applicants must complete the relevant bursary application forms available from the website address: dalrrd.gov.za (Click on vacancies).
• Applicants who apply for elds of study that are not listed above will not be considered. Please note that communication will be limited to successful applicants only.

If you have not received any communication from the department within 14 days following the release of Grade 12 results and the completion of the selection process by the National Bursary Committee, please note that your application has been unsuccessful. It is important to acknowledge that the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development retains the authority to determine the overall number of bursary allocations for the academic year based on the available budgetary resources.

No late application forms will be considered.

How to apply

Closing Date: 31 October 2023

For undergraduate

Download Form

For postgraduate

Download Form

Applicants who are not in possession of their University acceptance letter or Final results can submit their application while waiting for the said documents.

All completed bursary application forms together with certi ed copies of ID and

certi cates/performance results should be sent to ONLY ONE of the following addresses:

Postal address: The Director, Sector Education and Training, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Private Bag X250 PRETORIA, 0001

Physical address: Agriculture Place, 20 Steve Biko (Former Beatrix) Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002