Municipal Infrastructure Support Programme Bursary: Requirements and How to Apply

MISA is a component of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and its bursary aims to develop a pipeline of Built Environment professionals to help municipalities efficiently plan, deliver, operate, and maintain critical infrastructure.

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This bursary is highly targeted at addressing the technical skills shortage in South African local government.

Fields of Study Covered by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Programme Bursary

The MISA Technical Bursary exclusively supports qualifications relevant to municipal infrastructure and service delivery.

It covers qualifications at the University, University of Technology, and TVET College levels.

  • Engineering:
    • Civil Engineering (Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma)
    • Electrical Engineering (Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma)
    • Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma)
  • Built Environment:
    • Town and Regional Planning / Urban Planning
    • Construction Management / Construction Studies
    • Project Management
    • Quantity Surveying
    • Surveying and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
    • Environmental Management / Sciences

Eligibility Requirements for the MISA Bursary

The MISA Bursary is primarily aimed at financially disadvantaged students who have a strong commitment to working in the local government sector.

  1. You must be a South African citizen.
  2. You must be intending to study or be currently pursuing a qualification in one of the approved technical built environment fields.
  3. You must be registered or provisionally accepted at a South African public university, University of Technology, or TVET College.
  4. Academic Requirements:
    • Matriculants: Must meet the minimum entry requirements for the chosen field of study (often requires a C symbol or better in Mathematics and Physical Science).
    • Continuing Students: Must have reached the requirements to progress to the next level of study (i.e., passed all modules to continue).
  5. Financial Need: Preference is given to students from families with a combined total annual household gross income of less than R600,000.
  6. Preference is given to qualifying candidates from rural areas and individuals with disabilities.

Bursary Coverage and Value

The MISA Technical Bursary is a comprehensive bursary intended to cover all essential academic and living expenses.

  1. Full Tuition Fees (Registration and Tuition).
  2. Accommodation and Meals (or a living allowance/stipend if living off-campus).
  3. Prescribed Books and other prescribed learning materials.
  4. Stipend for study-related costs.
  5. Career Pathway: Successful bursars may be absorbed into MISA’s Young Graduates Programme upon graduation, providing two years of technical mentorship and a structured pathway toward professional registration and employment in a municipality.

Application Process for the MISA Bursary

The application process requires applicants to download the official MISA form and submit all documents via the designated channel (usually email).

  1. Download the Form: Download the official MISA Technical Bursary Application Form for the 2026 academic year from the MISA website or the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) website.
  2. Complete the Form: Fill in all sections of the application form completely, clearly indicating your chosen field and year of study.
  3. Gather Supporting Documents: Collect and ensure you have certified copies (not older than 3 months) of the following:
    • Certified copy of your South African ID document.
    • Certified copy of your Matric certificate (if completed Matric) or latest academic records.
    • Proof of registration/acceptance from your tertiary institution (on the institution’s letterhead).
    • Proof of Parents’/Guardians’ income (latest payslips or a sworn affidavit if unemployed).
    • Your latest official financial statement/account from the university.
  4. Submission: Submit the completed form and documents via email to the official MISA capacity building or bursary email address provided on the application form.

Municipal Infrastructure Support Programme Bursary Closing Date 

The MISA Bursary application window typically opens early in the year and closes mid-year.

The closing date for the 2026 academic year is To Be Confirmed. 

Municipal Infrastructure Support Programme Bursary Contact info

FAQs

1. Is the MISA Bursary only open to Civil Engineering students? +
No. While Civil Engineering is a priority, the bursary covers a range of Built Environment fields including Electrical Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Town Planning, Construction Management, and Environmental Management.
2. What is the maximum household income allowed for applicants? +
The MISA Bursary targets financially disadvantaged students. Preference is given to applicants from families with a combined total annual gross household income of less than R600,000.
3. Can I apply if I am studying at a TVET College? +
Yes. The MISA Technical Bursary Scheme supports students studying at public Universities, Universities of Technology, and TVET Colleges in the approved technical fields of study.
4. What is the minimum academic requirement for Matriculants? +
Matriculants must meet the minimum entry requirements for the relevant qualification. This usually means achieving a minimum of a C symbol or better in both Mathematics and Physical Science.
5. Does the MISA Bursary cover accommodation and books? +
Yes. The MISA Bursary is comprehensive. It covers full tuition fees, accommodation and meals, prescribed books, and a stipend for other study-related costs.
6. Is there an obligation to work for the government after I graduate? +
Yes. Successful bursars are expected to commit to working in a local government municipality after graduation. They may be absorbed into the MISA Young Graduates Programme.
7. Where should I send my completed MISA application form? +
You must submit the completed form and all supporting documents via the official MISA email address, which is typically misacapacitybuilding@misa.gov.za.
8. What kind of proof of income is required for the application? +
You must submit certified copies of your parents’ or guardians’ latest payslips. If they are unemployed, you must provide a certified sworn affidavit confirming their unemployment status.
9. Does MISA offer any support besides financial aid? +
Yes. Graduates may be included in the Young Graduates Programme, which provides two years of technical mentorship and structured employment toward gaining professional registration.
10. What is the likely closing date for the 2026 intake? +
The official closing date for 2026 is To Be Confirmed.

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