SANBI Bursary South Africa 2025

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – SANBI

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) was first established in 2004 in accordance with the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act under the South African Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.

SANBI’s main aim is to conduct research and decimation of information pertaining to biodiversity as well as contribute to the country’s management of biodiversity resources. SANBI is also responsible for partaking in ecosystem rehabilitation and restoration. This ensures that the country’s National Botanical and Zoological gardens enhance the country’s biodiversity for  educational and entertainment purposes.

ABOUT THE SANBI BURSARY PROGRAMME

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2025 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for Honours, Masters and Doctoral studies, for projects relevant to SANBI’s mandate and identified as a priority for the SANBI Research Strategy.(Candidates should contact SANBI before applying if they are unsure whether a project qualifies.)

The four strategic objectives (SO) which informs the strategy are:
1. Foundational biodiversity knowledge and information is available to inform priority applied and strategic projects
2. The state of biodiversity, including pressures and responses, is assessed and findings are used to inform policies and decision making
3. Integrated knowledge and evidence on priority issues is provided to inform policy, decision making and actions
4. The value and impact of NBG and NZG collections are enhanced through the strategic application of research projects and maintaining research infrastructure for SANBI’s research activities

Find the Projects and research themes here:

• Honours
• Masters
• Doctoral

MORE ABOUT THE SANBI BURSARY PROGRAMME – EXPENSES COVERED & SELECTION

The bursary will provide cover for university fees and living expenses, to the total values:

• Honours studies: R120 000 for one year only
• Masters studies: R150 000 per year for two years
• Doctoral studies: R180 000 per year for three years

Shortlisted/ successful candidates will be contacted within 30 days of the closing date – if you do not receive any feedback by this date, please consider your application unsuccessful. SANBI reserves the right not to fill this bursary.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SANBI BURSARY

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
• You must be under 35 years old
• You must intend on studying full-time, towards an Honours, Masters or Doctoral degree in 2025
• You must be studying at your degree level for the first time (i.e. second Honours, Masters or Doctoral degrees will NOT be funded)
• You must intend on pursuing a research project that is in line with SANBI’s mandate and research strategy
• You must intend on studying at any university in South Africa
• You must have completed an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma if applying for Masters studies
• You must have confirmed placement in a postgraduate programme and have provisional acceptance from prospective academic supervisors
• You must be unemployed
• You must be pro-active, enthusiastic, and interested in doing excellent research that can make a difference

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SANBI BURSARY

Applications must be submitted online at: SANBI Bursary Application 2025

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

• ID document (certified copy)
• Academic records/ transcript (certified copies)
• Highest qualification (certified copy)
• Letter of interest
• Project outline (1 page for Honours, 2 pages for Masters and Doctoral)
• Full Curriculum Vitae
• 2 letters of academic reference (read how to get a reference letter for your bursary application)
• Letter from a prospective university supervisor as well as a SANBI supervisor, indicating willingness to supervise
• Provisional registration/ application from the university

CLOSING DATE FOR THE SANBI BURSARY

25 October 2024.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) directly:
Contact people: Dr Ferozah Conrad (email: f.conrad@sanbi.org.za) / Ms René du Toit (email: r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za)
Please do NOT contact SANBI if this bursary has already closed.