Council for Geoscience (CGS) Bursary 2026: Requirements & How to Apply

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) Bursary supports students in geoscience and related disciplines, helping with tuition, living costs, field work, and more. 

The deadlines are fixed, and if you miss them, you wait another year.

About the Organisation

The Council for Geoscience (CGS) is South Africa’s national agency for geoscience data collection, research, and technical services (on- and offshore). 

It aims to build capacity in geoscience disciplines to address environmental, mineral, and infrastructure challenges.

Fields of Study Funded

CGS funds full-time (and for employees, part-time) students in many geoscience-related fields, including:

1. Geology, Exploration Geology
2. Geophysics; Geomagnetism; Geochemistry; Geochronology
3. Hydrogeology (especially groundwater modelling)
4. Engineering Geology; Environmental Geology; Environmental Science
5. Remote Sensing; Geo-informatics; Geohazards; Paleontology
6. Mineral Economics; Mining Seismology; Geotechnical Investigations

Benefits for Recipients

The bursary typically covers:

1. Tuition/registration fees
2. Prescribed books, study materials
3. Accommodation or transport allowance (especially if far from institution)
4. Field excursions, analysis / practical work costs
5. Once-off laptop allowance for first-time bursary recipients
6. Meals, where necessary

Also, there is often a work-back contract: bursary recipients may be asked to perform vocational/holiday work at CGS during studies, and/or work for CGS after graduation.

Eligibility Criteria

You must meet the following criteria:

1. South African citizen.
2. Completed Matric or currently in Matric.
3. For Matric students: passing Mathematics and Physical Science; for those who have completed Matric: minimum level 6 for Maths and Physical Science.
4. Registered or provisionally accepted/intending to register full-time (or part-time for CGS employees) at a recognised South African tertiary institution in a declared field.
5. If already studying at tertiary level: must have passed all modules/subjects for the previous period.
6. Not currently employed (for full-time bursary applications) and willing/able to work for CGS after graduation if required.

How to Apply

1. Applications are submitted via email: [email protected] (for full-time bursary, use subject “BursaryFT-2025”).
2. Attach all required supporting documents: certified ID, Matric certificate or latest results, academic transcript, proof of acceptance/enrollment (if applicable), CV, motivational letter.

Required Documents

You will need:

1. Certified copy of South African ID.
2. Certified Matric certificate or latest Matric results (if still at school).
3. Academic transcripts (if already studying).
4. Proof of acceptance/registration at a tertiary institution
5. Updated CV.
6. Motivational letter.

Closing Date

For the 2025 full-time and part-time bursary cycles, the closing date was 21 March 2025. 

No official 2026 closing date has been confirmed.

Contact Details

• Email for applications (full-time): [email protected]
• For enquiries: [email protected]
• Phone: +27 12 841 1020 / 012 841 1911