Applications are now open for the 2026 Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Bursaries. These bursaries are designed to support undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in accredited institutions registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training in South Africa, who wish to pursue studies in heritage-related programs.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
– Be South African citizens
– Be not older than 40 years
– Demonstrate outstanding/satisfactory academic performance (minimum 65% average)
– Be full-time students in heritage-related fields of study
– Not be employed full-time in government, state agencies, or the private sector (annual gross salary must not exceed R130,000)
– Not be beneficiaries of other bursaries or donor funding
Bursary Value
The bursary provides up to R110,000 per student, covering:
– Full study fees
– Prescribed books
– Electronic devices (up to R10,000)
– Accommodation (up to R50,000, where applicable)
– Meals (up to R18,500, where applicable)
– Transportation (up to R10,000, where applicable)
Funds are paid directly to the institution of learning.
Fields of Study
Eligible areas include:
– Physical and Biological Anthropology
– Archaeology (Maritime & Underwater Cultural Heritage)
– Geography and Geomatic Sciences (Postgraduates specializing in Cartography & GIS)
– Archives and Records Management
– Library and Information Sciences
– Conservation of the Built Environment (Postgraduates specializing in Conservation)
– Heritage and Museum Studies (Management, Curatorship, Preservation)
– Palaeontology
– Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
– History
– Digitisation of Heritage Resources
– International Studies (Maritime Archaeology, Digital Archaeology, Heritage Conservation & Preservation)
Required Documents
Applicants must submit:
– Certified copy of valid South African ID (not older than 3 months)
– Letter of provisional acceptance or proof of registration (official institution letterhead, signed)
– Certified copy of matric certificate and latest academic results/progress report
– Certified proof of parent/guardian household income
– Certified latest payslip (not older than 3 months)
– Proof of disability (if applicable)
– Affidavit confirming authenticity of salary slips/payment advice
Important Notes
Before applying, confirm:
– Have you been provisionally admitted to study in the 2026 academic year?
– Does your qualification fall within the specified heritage-related fields?
Applications will be rejected if the study field does not fall within the approved list.
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
Would you like me to now prepare a South Africa Scholarships & Bursaries Guidesection for your blog, grouping DSAC with other South Africa-specific opportunities (like NRF, Mandela Rhodes, and others), so readers can easily find funding tailored to them?
Deadline: 31-01-2026
Apply: https://www.dsac.gov.za/DSAC%20Bursaries%20for%20Heritage%20Related%20Studies%20-%20Academic%20Year%202026
