Columbus Stainless Bursary 2026 Requirements & Application

The Columbus Stainless bursary supports students studying industrial engineering and other engineering/engineering-related fields by funding tuition and study-related costs. 

About the Organisation

Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd is Africa’s only producer of stainless steel flat products.

Located in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, it is part of the Acerinox group. 

The company offers bursaries as part of its skills development and community empowerment programmes.

Fields of Study Funded

These are the engineering and technical fields that have been supported in recent and upcoming bursary cycles:

1. Industrial Engineering (B.Eng)
2. Mechanical Engineering (National Diploma & B.Eng)
3. Metallurgy or Physical Metallurgy / Material Science / Chemistry / Chemical Engineering
4. Process Instrumentation (National Diploma)
5. Computer Science / Information Technology / Computer Engineering (in some past cycles)

Benefits for Recipients

From past cycles, the bursary is described as “all-inclusive” in many cases. This generally means it covers:

1. Tuition or course / registration fees
2. Study materials (books, stationery)
3. Possibly accommodation and other study-related expenses (depending on the student’s situation)
4. Opportunity for in-house or company-related training / exposure after graduation, or during vacation periods, in some cycles

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants typically must meet all of the following:

1. Be a South African citizen
2. Reside in the Middelburg / Witbank area in Mpumalanga
3. Be enrolled full-time in the appropriate year of study: e.g. 2nd or 3rd year of Industrial Engineering in 2025 → moving into 3rd or final year in 2026; or for diploma courses, starting the 2nd year.
4. Minimum academic average—usually about 65% or greater in your most recent year of study
5. The study programme must be a full-time degree (B.Eng or B.Sc Eng) or National Diploma (for specified disciplines). Diplomas are eligible in some fields such as Process Instrumentation or Mechanical Engineering, depending on the year of study.

How to Apply

1. Complete the bursary application through the Columbus Stainless bursary portal or via links advertised on their website or in bursary listing sites.
2. Prepare all required supporting documents ahead of time: certified ID, Matric certificate, academic transcript, proof of residence, proof of registration or provisional acceptance, CV etc.

Required Documents

You will likely need to submit:

1. Certified copy of South African ID
2. Matric certificate (or latest Grade 12 results)
3. Full tertiary academic record (if already studying)
4. Proof of residence in Middelburg / Witbank area
5. Proof of acceptance or registration at a recognized SA university or institution for the relevant field and year.

Closing Date

As of now, there is no official confirmed closing date for the 2026 Columbus Stainless Bursary.

The last application window closed on 30 September 2023.

Contact Details

For enquiries, contact Columbus Stainless directly at  +27 (0) 13 247 9111.