Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC)
Organisation: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC)
Bursary Type: Full-Cost Bursary
Total Value: Up to R110,000 per student
Study Mode: Full-Time
Eligible Age: 40 years and below
Location: South Africa
Closing Date: 31 January 2026
Bursary Overview
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) invites applications for the Heritage Bursary Programme 2026, aimed at supporting students pursuing rare and specialised heritage-related qualifications that contribute to preserving South Africa’s cultural identity.
The bursary prioritises talented students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and serves as an alternative for applicants who may not qualify for NSFAS or other funding.
What the Bursary Covers
The bursary covers approved study-related costs up to a maximum of R110,000, including:
- Tuition fees (paid directly to the institution)
- Prescribed textbooks
- Electronic device (laptop or tablet) – up to R10,000
- Accommodation – up to R50,000 (subject to need and availability)
- Meals – up to R18,500
- Transport – up to R10,000 (if applicable)
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be 40 years old or younger
- Have a minimum academic average of 65%
- Be registered or accepted at a DHET-accredited institution
- Not be funded by any other bursary
- Not be fully employed earning more than R130,000 per year
Note:
Part-time employed applicants must submit certified proof of income.
Eligible Fields of Study
Applications for programmes not listed below will be rejected.
Heritage, Anthropology & Archaeology
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- Curatorship, Preservation, and Conservation
- Preventive Conservation (Postgraduate)
- Physical and Biological Anthropology
- Archaeology (Maritime, Underwater, Digital)
Geography, Earth & Information Sciences
- Geography
- Geomatic Sciences
- Palaeontology
- Cartography or GIS (Postgraduate specialisations)
Library and Information Science
- Archives and Records Management
- Digitisation of Heritage Resources
Indigenous Knowledge & Social Sciences
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
- History
- International Studies
Required Documents
All documents must be certified and not older than 3 months.
Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Proof of provisional acceptance or registration for 2026
- Certified Matric certificate
- Latest academic transcript
- Certified proof of parent/guardian income or applicant income (if working)
- Affidavit confirming authenticity of salary slips
- Proof of disability (if applicable)
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online only.
Email or manual submissions will not be accepted.
Apply Here
Apply Here
Enquiries
For application-related queries only, contact: