SARAO Postgraduate Scholarship South Africa 2025

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER – SARAO

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is a facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF), which is responsible for managing all radio astronomy initiatives and facilities in South Africa. SARAO manages the MeerKAT Radio Telescope in the Karoo, and the Geodesy and VLBI activities at the HartRAO facility.

ABOUT THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is inviting students to apply for their Postgraduate Scholarships, for the 2025 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for Postgrduate studies, within the following fields:
Honours studies:

Bachelor of Science – Honours: in Physics and Electronics or Astronomy or Astrophysics or Computer Science
Bachelor of Science – Honours at NASSP (National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme)

Masters studies:
Engineering and Science fields: Postgraduate research relevant to the scientific and technical goals of the SKA and MeerKAT radio telescopes (see list of Approved Masters Projects for 2025 here).

Doctoral studies:
Engineering and Science fields: Postgraduate research relevant to the scientific and technical goals of the SKA and MeerKAT radio telescopes (see list of Approved Doctoral Projects for 2025 here).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 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):
Honours studies:

You must be a South African citizen or a permanent resident
You must be 28 years old, or younger
You must be studying or intend on studying towards one of the Honours qualifications listed above
You must have achieved a minimum average of 65% in latest available undergraduate results
You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa

Masters studies:

You must be a South African citizens or permanent residents OR a citizen of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia or Zambia
You must be 30 years old, or younger
You must wish to pursue postgraduate (Masters) research relevant to the scientific and technical goals of the SKA and MeerKAT radio telescopes (see list of Approved Masters Projects for 2025 here)
You must have achieved a minimum average of 65% at Honours level OR a minimum average of 65% at Undergraduate level, for a four-year degree
You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
You must have obtained a signed agreement from the relevant supervisor stating that they will supervise you

Doctoral studies:

You must be a South African citizens or permanent residents OR a citizen of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia or Zambia
You must be 32 years old, or younger
You must wish to pursue postgraduate (Doctoral) research relevant to the scientific and technical goals of the SKA and MeerKAT radio telescopes (see list of Approved Doctoral Projects for 2025 here)
You must have achieved a minimum average of 65% at Honours level OR a minimum average of 65% at Undergraduate level, for a four-year degree
You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
You must have obtained a signed agreement from the relevant supervisor stating that they will supervise you

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP

Applications must be submitted online at: SARAO Scholarship Application 2025

Candidates should read the relevant scholarship guidelines before applying:

SARAO Honours Scholarships Guidelines (.pdf)
SARAO Masters Scholarships Guidelines (.pdf)
SARAO Doctoral Scholarships Guidelines (.pdf)

Applicants will be required to Register an account before they can Login and apply.

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
Passport and permanent residence visa, if a permanent resident
University academic record, from the start of your degree until current and all other
degrees completed to date (to be compiled into a single PDF Document)
Updated Curriculum Vitae
Motivational letter (see guidelines above for more information)
Masters and Doctoral studies: supervisor’s-agreement to supervise letter (the project supervisor must provide a signed letter, on a university letterhead, stating that they have agreed to supervise you for the relevant project. The letter of agreement from the relevant supervisor is essential.)

CLOSING DATE FOR THE SARAO SCHOLARSHIP

20 August 2024.
Note: universities each set their own internal closing dates for applications. Please find out from your university what their internal closing date is, and ensure you submit your application by that date.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

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

Masters & Doctoral studies:
Contact person: Annah Mashemola
Email: amashemola@sarao.ac.za

Please do NOT contact the SARAO if this scholarship has already closed.