Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed Closed 31 July 2022
- Provider
- SALT-SAAO
- Field of study
- Environmental Engineering
- Study level
- Postgraduate
- Academic year
- 2023
- Last checked
- September 2026
SAAO's own scholarship page still shows the call for 2023 studies, which closed on 31 July 2022, and no newer call had been posted when we checked.
VerifiedNo open round · the last round we could find closed on 31 July 2022 Latest update ↓
The South African Astronomical Observatory runs the Southern African Large Telescope, one of the largest optical telescopes in the southern hemisphere. Its SALT-SAAO scholarships fund master’s and doctoral students working on SAAO research projects.
About the SALT-SAAO Scholarship
- For MSc and PhD study in astrophysics at South African universities.
- At most two scholarships per level each year.
- Funding for two years for an MSc and three years for a PhD.
Eligibility requirements
- Eligible to register for an MSc or PhD in astrophysics.
- A completed honours degree for MSc, or a master’s for PhD.
- Any nationality, with preference for South Africans.
- Applying for a specific advertised SAAO project.
How to apply
- Check the projects and scholarship pages on saao.ac.za.
- Contact the supervisor of the project you want before applying.
- Email a cover letter, CV and transcripts as one PDF to scholarship@saao.ac.za, with two referee letters sent directly.
Closing date
31 July 2022 in the last posted call. No 2027 date has been announced.
Contact details
- Email: scholarship@saao.ac.za
Astronomy students should also see the SARAO scholarships, the DSI-NRF postgraduate scholarship and the SKA South Africa bursaries.
FAQs
1. Is the SALT-SAAO scholarship open for 2027? +
SAAO's own scholarship page still shows the call for 2023 studies, which closed on 31 July 2022, and no newer call had been posted when we checked. Email scholarship@saao.ac.za to ask about 2027.
2. What is SAAO? +
The South African Astronomical Observatory, founded in 1820, which operates the Southern African Large Telescope, SALT, at Sutherland in the Northern Cape.
3. Who is it for? +
Students registering for an MSc or PhD in astrophysics at a South African university. Any nationality may apply, with preference for South African citizens and permanent residents.
4. How many are awarded? +
At most two scholarships at each level a year. Funding lasts two years for an MSc and three years for a PhD.
5. How did students apply? +
By choosing an advertised SAAO project, discussing it with the supervisor, then emailing a cover letter, CV and transcripts as one PDF, with two referees sending letters directly.
6. What are the conditions? +
Proof of registration at the agreed university, signing SAAO's student memorandum of understanding and following its code of conduct.
Update note (checked September 2026): SAAO’s own scholarship page still shows the call for 2023 studies, which closed on 31 July 2022, and no newer call had been posted when we checked. Email SAAO’s scholarship address to ask whether it will fund 2027 students.
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