The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), established in the year 1945, is a the premier and central research and development organisation in South Africa. The CSIR is an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation – a South African government department responsible for scientific research, including space programmes.
The CSIR is the largest research and development organisation in Africa, covering approximately 10% of the whole African African R&D budget.
The CSIR’s 7 main focus areas include: Industry, Energy, Natural Environment, Built Environment, Digital Environment, Health and Defence and Security. The company is based in the city of Pretoria, on its own campus and has a staff base of around 3000 scientific and technical researchers.
ABOUT THE CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2024 academic year. The CSIR bursary is merit based and is aimed at full-time, unemployed students who are pursuing qualifications in areas that are deemed a priority by the CSIR (research, technology development and innovation as well as corporate/support areas).
Bursaries will be awarded for Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Honours, MSc and PhD), in these fields:
Undergraduate studies:
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mining Engineering
Honours studies:
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Geospatial Information Systems
- Information System
- Information Technology
- Software Engineering
Masters and Doctoral studies:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Information Systems
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Physics
Masters and Doctoral Considered Thematic Areas:
- Aerospace
- Biotechnology
- Composites
- Health
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
- Information and Communications Technology
- Modelling and Digital Sciences
- Microsystems Technology
- Photonics
- Titanium (Manufacturing Elements)
Read more about the Thematic Research Focus Areas here.
MORE ABOUT THE CSIR BURSARY PROGRAMME – EXPENSED COVERED, SERVICE CONTRACT & SELECTION
www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the CSIR Bursary.
The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses:
- Undergraduate to Honours level: registration fees, tuition fees, books, once-off laptop allowance, accommodation and a living allowance.
- Masters and Doctoral level: registration fees, tuition fees, once-off laptop allowance and a living allowance.
Bursary recipients will also receive full support and the opportunity to partake in vacation work.
After graduation, bursary recipients will be required to work for CSIR – one year of employment for every year of funding received.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to attend an interview – candidates who do not receive any feedback, should regard their bursary application as unsuccessful.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CSIR BURSARY
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):
Current Matric/ Grade 12 students:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must have achieved a minimum of Level 5 (60% – 69%) for English in Matric
- You must have achieved a minimum of Level 6 (70% – 79%) for Mathematics in Matric
- You must have achieved a minimum of Level 6 (70% – 79%) for Physics in Matric
- You must intend on studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the undergraduate fields listed above, in 2024
- You must intend on enrolling and studying at a recognised public University in South Africa
- You must NOT be employed on a full-time basis
Current university students:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the undergraduate or Honours fields listed above
- You must be enrolled and studying at a recognised public University in South Africa
- You must have passed all university courses you have registered for, for the study period completed
- You must NOT be employed on a full-time basis
Masters and Doctoral applicants:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must intend on studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the Masters or Doctoral fields listed above, in 2024
- You must intend on enrolling and studying at a recognised public University in South Africa
- You must have passed all university courses you have registered for, for the study period completed
- Preferably studying at Honours/ 4th year Engineering/ BTech/ Postgraduate Diploma level in one of the Thematic Research Focus Areas listed above
- You must NOT be employed on a full-time basis
- You must have good scientific writing skills
- You must have good organisational skills
- You must have good time management skills
- You must have good communication skills – verbal and writing
- You must have good report writing abilities
- You must have an excellent academic record
- You must have a drive to conduct research
- You must be self-motivated
- You must be able to work independently and within a team
- You must be able to formulate and carry out research
- You must have excellent technical abilities
- You must be able to work well under pressure
- You must be able to meet scheduled deliverables
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE CSIR BURSARY
Applications must be submitted online at: CSIR Bursary Application 2024
All applicants will receive an email confirmation after their application has been received.
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- ID document (certified copy)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Grade 11 final results AND Matric results to date, if currently in Matric (certified copies)
- Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
- 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 (.docx) by a parent or guardian – to comply with POPI regulations
- Students under 18: parent/ guardian ID document (certified copy)
CLOSING DATE FOR THE CSIR BURSARY
15 July (at 16:30).
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact CSIR directly:
Recruitment Centre
Tel: 012 842 7518
Email: [email protected]