CSIR-Sasol Foundation Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 15 September 2026
Provider: Sasol
Field of study: Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science
Study level: Undergraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The CSIR-Sasol Foundation bursary for 2027 closes on 15 September 2026, and no late applications are accepted.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 15 September 2026 If you miss it, watch the CSIR Bursary Connect portal from mid-2027 for the 2028 round. Latest update ↓

The CSIR and the Sasol Foundation jointly fund science, engineering and technology students in fields linked to the CSIR’s research. The bursary is fully funded and includes vacation work at the CSIR.

About the CSIR-Sasol Foundation Bursary

Fields in engineering, computing, data science and life sciences.
Full cover including a laptop allowance.
Up to six weeks of vacation work at the CSIR each year.

Eligibility requirements

Unemployed South African citizen.
Full-time study at a public university.
Matriculants: Level 6 Mathematics and Physical Science, Level 5 English.
Students: at least 65% with all courses passed.

How to apply

Open the CSIR Bursary Connect portal at bursaryconnect.csir.co.za.
Register and complete the online form.
Upload your certified ID, results and CV before the closing date.

Closing date

15 September 2026 for 2027 studies. The 2028 round dates are not yet published.

Contact details

CSIR bursary programme: 012 841 2616
Email: bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za

See also the CSIR bursary, the DSI-CSIR bursary and the Sasol Foundation STEM bursary.

FAQs

1. When does the CSIR-Sasol Foundation bursary close for 2027? +

15 September 2026. No late applications are accepted. After that date, watch for the 2028 round on the CSIR Bursary Connect portal.

2. Is this the same as the Sasol bursary? +

No. Sasol's own bursary programme for 2027 ran from 1 April to 17 May 2026, and the Sasol Foundation bursary programme closed on 23 August 2026. The CSIR-Sasol Foundation bursary is a separate partnership.

3. Which fields? +

Chemical, computer, electronic, industrial, mechatronic, process and systems engineering, computer science, data science, IT, genetics and cell biology, and related fields.

4. What marks do I need? +

Matriculants need Level 6 for Mathematics and Physical Science and Level 5 for English. University students need at least 65% and no failed courses.

5. What does it cover? +

Registration and tuition, books, accommodation, a living allowance and a once-off laptop allowance, plus up to six weeks of vacation work at the CSIR.

6. Who qualifies? +

Unemployed South African citizens studying full-time at a public university.

Update note (checked September 2026): the CSIR-Sasol Foundation bursary for 2027 closes on 15 September 2026, and no late applications are accepted. If you miss it, watch the CSIR Bursary Connect portal from mid-2027 for the 2028 round. Sasol’s separate bursary programme closed on 17 May 2026, and the Sasol Foundation programme closed on 23 August 2026.

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

Visit the provider’s website

About Sasol

Private company (energy and chemicals)

Sasol publishes its financial results for a year that ends on 30 June, and its 2026 annual reports went out after the year ended 30 June 2026. The group mines coal, refines fuels and makes chemicals, with its…

Read the full Sasol profile →

Address: Sasol Place, 50 Katherine Street, Sandton, 2196
Phone: +27 10 344 6509
Email: info@sasol.com
Website: sasol.com

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.