DSAC Bursary 2026 Requirements & How To Apply

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) bursary gives up to R110 000 to cover study expenses in heritage-related fields. 

Because the bursary is competitive and funds are limited, preparing your documents and ensuring you meet all criteria early will increase your chances.

About the Organisation

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is a national government department in South Africa. 

It promotes arts, culture, heritage, languages, and sports. 

Its bursary programme for heritage studies aims to develop capacity in heritage-related professions and preserve South Africa’s living heritage.

Fields of Study Funded

DSAC supports full-time study in the following heritage-related disciplines:

1. Anthropology (forensic/medical anthropology)
2. Archaeology, including marine & underwater heritage and forensic specialisations
3. Archives & Records Management
4. Library & Information Sciences
5. Conservation of the Built Environment, including preventive conservation
6. Heritage & Museum Studies
7. Palaeontology
8. Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) & SA Living Heritage preservation
9. History
10. Geography & Geomatic Sciences, especially Cartography and GIS
11. Digitisation of heritage resources

Benefits for Recipients

1. Maximum value of bursary: R110 000 per student.
2. Covers full study/tuition fees.
3. Full prescribed books.
4. Electronic device (laptop, etc) up to R10 000, with three quotations.
5. Accommodation up to R50 000 where applicable.
6. Meals allowance, up to R18 500 where applicable.
7. Transport, up to R10 000 (in some past calls), where applicable.

Eligibility Criteria

You must meet all of these:

1. Be a South African citizen.
2. Be 40 years old or younger.
3. Not employed full-time in government, state agencies, or the private sector with a salary exceeding R130 000 in recent cycles.
4. Acceptable academic performance (“outstanding” or “satisfactory”), whether in Matric for first-year students or progress reports for those already in tertiary study.
5. The field of study must be one of the heritage-related fields listed above.
6. Proof of provisional acceptance or registration at a higher education institution accredited and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training.
7. Applicants who already have another bursary covering the same costs may not qualify.

How to Apply

1. Complete the bursary application online via the DSAC online portal when the call opens.
2. Upload all required documents (certified, not older than three months where specified).
3. Ensure your qualification falls under the fields listed above. Applications outside those fields are not accepted.

Required Documents

You will need to attach:

1. Certified copy of a valid South African identity document.
2. Certified copy of senior certificate (Matric) or most recent academic results/transcript.
3. Provisional acceptance letter or proof of registration at the institution.

Closing Date

For the 2026 Heritage Related Studies bursary, the closing date was 31 January 2026.

All applications must be submitted by that date; late applications are not accepted.

Contact Details

• Enquiries can be addressed to Ms Reinette Stander (DSAC) at phone 012-441-3711; email: reinettes@dsac.gov.za
• Also Mr Maano Muhadi: 012-441-3622; email: maanom@dsac.gov.za