SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship bursary

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is inviting students to apply for their Undergraduate Scholarship, for the 2027 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for Undergraduate degree studies, within the following fields:

• Computer  Engineering (BEng)
• Computer  Science and Mathematics / Applied Mathematics (BSc)
• Electrical Engineering (BEng)
• Electronic Engineering (BEng)
• Mechanical Engineering (BEng)
• Mechatronic Engineering (BEng)
• Physics and Astronomy/Astrophysics (BSc)
• Physics and Electronics (BSc)
• Physics and Mathematics/Applied Mathematics (BSc)

WHAT IS THE VALUE AND DURATION OF THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP?

Scholarships will be awarded to the value of R183 000. Students will also receive a once-off laptop grant of R13 000.

Scholarships will be awarded for the following duration:

• Bachelor of Engineering degrees: 1 year for 4th year students, 2 years for 3rd year students, 3 years for 2nd year students and 4 years for 1st year students.
• Bachelor of Science degrees: 1 year for 3rd year students, 2 years for 2nd year students, and 3 years for 1st year students.

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP?

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen or a permanent resident
• You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• You must be studying or intend on studying towards one of the undergraduate qualifications listed above
• Engineering degree students/ applicants: you must have achieved a minimum result of 70% for Mathematics in Matric OR a minimum overall average of 65% at undergraduate level
• Science degree students/ applicants: you must have achieved a minimum result of 70% for Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric OR a minimum overall average of 65% at undergraduate level
• You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP?

Applications must be submitted online at: SARAO Scholarship Application 2027

To begin, complete the Profile section first. From MY APPLICATIONS, select Undergraduate and Diploma Scholarships, then select SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship.

Applicants must read the SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship Guidelines (.pdf) before applying.

WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I SUBMIT FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP?

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document, if an SA citizen
• Grade 11 final results and Matric latest results, if currently in Matric
• Matric final results/ certificate, if completed Matric
• Full university results, from start of your degree until current, if currently studying
• Passport and permanent residence visa, if a permanent resident
• Matric most recent report, if currently in Matric
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric
• University academic record, if currently studying
• 2 letters of reference (one must be from a teacher or lecturer) (see guidelines above for more info)
• Motivational letter stating why you should be awarded a SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship (see guidelines above for more info) (around 500 words)

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP?

14 August 2026.

(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER?

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) directly:
Contact person: Mr Mkhululi Jodwana
Tel: 011 268 3412
Email: mjodwana@sarao.ac.za

WHAT DOES THE SARAO DO?

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is a national facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF), responsible for managing South Africa’s radio astronomy facilities and strategic investments in the field. SARAO operates the MeerKAT Radio Telescope in the Karoo and oversees the geodesy and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) activities at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO). It also leads South Africa’s participation in the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, coordinates the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (AVN) across SKA partner countries in Africa, and supports the development of radio astronomy  science,  engineering, and technical skills through research and capacity-building programmes.