Council for Geoscience Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 23 January 2026
Provider: Council for Geoscience
Study level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The 2026 round closed on 23 January 2026, and the 2025 round on 21 March 2025.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 23 January 2026 Expect it on the CGS website between November 2026 and January 2027. Latest update ↓

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) is South Africa’s national geological survey, the Pretoria-based agency that maps the country’s rocks, minerals and groundwater. Its full-time bursary funds geology, geophysics, hydrogeology and related students from first year to postgraduate level, with a full package that includes a laptop and field work, and a work-back obligation at the council.

About the Council for Geoscience Bursary

Fields: geology, economic geology, engineering geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology (groundwater modelling), geo-informatics, remote sensing, computational geosciences, data science and innovation studies, environmental science, mineral economics and mining seismology.
Covers registration and tuition fees, prescribed books, meals, an accommodation or transport allowance, field excursions and analysis costs, and a once-off laptop allowance for first-time bursars.
Bursars work for the CGS after graduating for a period equal to the funding.

CGS Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen with Matric, currently unemployed.
Studying, or accepted, full-time at a recognised South African university in a listed field.
Passed all registered modules if already studying.
Willing to sign a work-back agreement. Previously disadvantaged applicants get preference.

How to apply for the CGS Bursary

Download the application form from the bursaries page at geoscience.org.za when the call opens.
Attach a motivation letter, CV, certified ID, Matric certificate or results, academic transcripts if already studying and your university admission letter.
Email everything to bursaries@geoscience.org.za with the reference given in the advert (the 2026 call used “BursaryFT-2026”) before the closing date.

CGS Bursary closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 23 January 2026. Expect December 2026 or January 2027 for the 2027 academic year.

Contact details

Enquiries: bursaryenquiries@geoscience.org.za, 012 841 1106 or 012 841 1118
Website: www.geoscience.org.za

Geoscience students should also apply to the Department of Mineral Resources bursary, the Mintek bursary and the funders on our science bursaries page.

FAQs

1. When does the Council for Geoscience bursary close for 2027? +

The 2026 round closed on 23 January 2026 and the 2025 round on 21 March 2025. The 2027 call had not been published when we checked. Expect it on geoscience.org.za between November 2026 and January 2027.

2. What is the Council for Geoscience? +

South Africa's national geological survey, based in Pretoria, which maps the country's geology and mineral resources and funds geoscience students it can later employ.

3. Which fields? +

Geology, economic and engineering geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology (groundwater modelling), geo-informatics and remote sensing, computational geosciences, data science, environmental science, mineral economics and mining seismology.

4. What does it cover? +

Registration and tuition fees, prescribed books, meals, an accommodation or transport allowance, field excursions and analysis costs, and a once-off laptop allowance for first-time bursars.

5. Who qualifies? +

Unemployed South African citizens with Matric, studying or accepted full-time at a recognised South African institution in a listed field, who have passed all registered modules and are willing to work for the CGS after graduating. Previously disadvantaged applicants get preference.

6. How do I apply? +

Email the CGS form with a motivation letter, CV, certified ID, Matric certificate, academic transcripts and university admission letter to bursaries@geoscience.org.za with the reference in the advert (BursaryFT-2026 in the last call).

Update note (checked September 2026): the 2026 round closed on 23 January 2026, and the 2025 round on 21 March 2025. The 2027 call had not been published when we checked. Expect it on the CGS website between November 2026 and January 2027. The details below are from the 2026 call.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

Or send your application by email:

bursaries@geoscience.org.za

About Council for Geoscience

National geological survey (science council)

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) is South Africa's national geological survey. Based in Pretoria, the Council for Geoscience maps the country's rocks, minerals and groundwater, keeps the national geological database, and provides scientific advice to government and industry…

Read the full Council for Geoscience profile →