SARAO Undergraduate Scholarships 2027: Applications Open for Engineering and Science Students
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is inviting applications for its Undergraduate Scholarship Programme for the 2027 academic year.
The scholarship is available to qualifying South African citizens and permanent residents who are studying or planning to study selected Engineering and Science qualifications at recognised and accredited tertiary institutions in South Africa.
Successful applicants can receive scholarship funding valued at R183,000, as well as a once-off laptop grant of R13,000.
Applications are open to eligible Matric learners who plan to start university in 2027 and qualifying students who are already completing an undergraduate degree.
Applications must be submitted online through the NRF Connect platform by 14 August 2026.
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What is the SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship Programme?
The SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship Programme provides financial support to students pursuing selected qualifications that are relevant to astronomy, engineering, computing and related scientific fields.
For the 2027 academic year, SARAO is accepting applications from prospective first-year students as well as students who are already enrolled at university.
The scholarship is available for study at recognised and accredited tertiary institutions across South Africa.
Applicants must choose an approved field of study and meet the academic requirements for either the Engineering or Science scholarship categories.
Which fields of study are supported?
SARAO will consider applications from students studying or planning to study the following undergraduate qualifications:
- Computer Engineering (BEng)
- Computer Science and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics (BSc)
- Electrical Engineering (BEng)
- Electronic Engineering (BEng)
- Mechanical Engineering (BEng)
- Mechatronic Engineering (BEng)
- Physics and Astronomy or Astrophysics (BSc)
- Physics and Electronics (BSc)
- Physics and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics (BSc)
Students applying for qualifications outside these listed fields should not assume that their programme will qualify for funding.
How much is the SARAO scholarship worth?
The SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship for 2027 is valued at R183,000.
Successful students will also receive a once-off laptop grant of R13,000.
Applicants should read the official scholarship guidelines for full information about how the funding may be used and the conditions attached to the award.
The available information does not provide a detailed breakdown showing how the R183,000 is divided between expenses such as tuition fees, accommodation, books and living costs.
How long can BEng students receive funding?
The length of funding for Bachelor of Engineering students depends on their current year of study.
The scholarship may be awarded for:
- Four years for first-year students
- Three years for second-year students
- Two years for third-year students
- One year for fourth-year students
This means students who are already completing a BEng qualification can still apply if they meet the programme requirements.
How long can BSc students receive funding?
Bachelor of Science students may receive funding according to the number of years remaining in their undergraduate programme.
The scholarship may be awarded for:
- Three years for first-year students
- Two years for second-year students
- One year for third-year students
Applicants should make sure that their degree and current year of study meet SARAO’s requirements before applying.
Who can apply for the SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship?
Applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents.
They must also be currently completing Matric, have already completed Matric, or be enrolled at university in one of the approved undergraduate programmes.
Applicants must study or intend to study at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa.
Academic requirements differ depending on whether the applicant is applying for an Engineering or Science programme.
What are the academic requirements for Engineering students?
Engineering applicants who are currently in Matric or have recently completed Matric must have at least 70% for Mathematics.
Students who are already studying at university must have at least a 65% overall undergraduate average.
These requirements apply to students applying for the approved BEng programmes, including Computer, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.
What are the academic requirements for Science students?
Science applicants applying based on their school results must have at least 70% for Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric.
Applicants who are already studying at university must have at least a 65% overall undergraduate average.
Students should check their latest results or academic records before applying to make sure they meet the required academic standard.
What must current Matric learners submit?
Learners who are currently completing Matric should prepare their Grade 11 final results and their latest available Matric results or report.
These results should clearly show the subjects and marks needed to assess whether the applicant meets the scholarship’s academic requirements.
Applicants should make sure that all uploaded documents are complete and easy to read.
What must current university students submit?
Students who are already enrolled at university must provide a full academic record covering their studies from the beginning of their degree up to the current period.
University applicants generally need an overall academic average of at least 65%.
Applicants should use their complete academic record rather than uploading only their most recent results.
Which documents are required for the application?
Applicants should prepare all supporting documents before starting the final submission process.
Depending on their circumstances, they may need:
- A South African ID document for citizens
- A passport and permanent residence visa for permanent residents
- Grade 11 final results for current Matric learners
- Latest Matric results or report for current Matric learners
- Matric certificate or final Matric results for applicants who have completed school
- A full university academic record for current university students
- Two reference letters
- A motivational letter of approximately 500 words
At least one of the two reference letters must be provided by a teacher or lecturer.
Applicants should request their reference letters early instead of waiting until the application deadline.
How should academic results be uploaded?
SARAO requires school and university academic results to be combined into one PDF document.
Applicants should check the combined PDF carefully before uploading it.
Every page should be readable, correctly positioned and complete. Applicants should also make sure that no required results have accidentally been left out when combining the documents.
What should the motivational letter include?
Applicants must submit a motivational letter of approximately 500 words explaining why they should be awarded a SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship.
The motivation is an important part of the application and should be prepared carefully.
Applicants should use the official SARAO scholarship guidelines when preparing their letter and make sure that the final version is included with their application.
How do you apply for a SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship?
Applications must be completed online through the NRF Connect platform.
Applicants should first create or complete their NRF Connect profile. Once their profile is ready, they can go to the application section and select the relevant scholarship opportunity.
From the application dashboard, applicants should:
- Go to My Applications.
- Select Undergraduate and Diploma Scholarships.
- Select SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship.
- Complete all required sections of the online application.
- Upload the required supporting documents.
- Check that the information provided is correct.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
Applicants should also read the official SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship guidelines before submitting their application.
When do applications close?
Applications for the SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship Programme for the 2027 academic year close on 14 August 2026.
Applicants should not wait until the final day to prepare their supporting documents. The application requires academic records, reference letters and a motivational letter, so some documents may take time to obtain.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Who can applicants contact for scholarship enquiries?
Applicants who have questions about the scholarship can contact Mr Mkhululi Jodwana.
Telephone: 011 268 3412
Email: mjodwana@sarao.ac.za
These contact details should be used for scholarship enquiries. Applications must still be completed through the NRF Connect online application platform.
What should you check before submitting your application?
Before submitting, applicants should confirm that they meet the citizenship, study programme and academic requirements.
They should also check that:
- Their intended qualification is one of the approved programmes.
- They meet the Mathematics requirement.
- They meet the Physical Science requirement where applicable.
- Their ID or permanent residence documents are ready.
- Their latest academic results are included.
- Current university students have a complete academic record.
- Two reference letters are included.
- At least one reference letter is from a teacher or lecturer.
- Their approximately 500-word motivational letter is complete.
- All required academic results have been combined into one PDF.
- Their NRF Connect profile and application information are complete.
Applicants should review the entire application before submitting it.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee that an applicant will receive a scholarship. Selection will depend on SARAO’s assessment and the conditions of the scholarship programme.
The final deadline for applications is 14 August 2026.