SANAS is the South African National Accreditation System, the national body that accredits laboratories, certification bodies and inspection bodies. Where it offers bursary support, it funds fields relevant to accreditation and quality infrastructure, principally the natural sciences, metrology and related technical disciplines.
Bursaries offered by technical state bodies of this kind are usually small, field-specific and tied to the skills the organisation needs. The field of study is the primary filter rather than academic strength alone.
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
Applications of this kind are generally assessed on the following.
- South African citizenship
- Study in a supported field, principally natural sciences and technical disciplines
- Strong results in mathematics and science subjects
- Acceptance or application to an accredited institution
- Financial need, where a means test applies
- A service obligation, where the scheme requires one
Income and Affordability Requirements
State body bursaries commonly combine academic merit with financial need, assessing household income against a threshold the scheme sets for the intake.
Because this scheme publishes its criteria per intake and revises them, this page does not restate specific income thresholds, closing dates or award values. Confirm those directly with the funder.
Credit and Financial Requirements
Bursaries do not assess your credit record and applying does not affect it. What they assess is academic performance, to award funding and to continue it.
Where a service obligation applies it is typically a year of service for each year funded, and not completing it converts the award into a repayable debt.
Documents and Verification Required
Applications normally require the following.
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your matric results or latest academic transcript
- Proof of household income, or an affidavit where there is no formal income
- Proof of acceptance or application to an approved institution
- A completed application form and any motivation the scheme requires
How to Apply and Improve Approval Readiness
Confirm first that SANAS is currently offering bursaries, since technical state bodies run such schemes intermittently depending on budget and skills needs.
If no scheme is open, related funding for science and technical study is available through other science councils and sector bodies, and through NSFAS for students meeting its income threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SANAS?
The South African National Accreditation System, the national body accrediting laboratories, certification bodies and inspection bodies.
What fields would a SANAS bursary fund?
Fields relevant to accreditation and quality infrastructure, principally the natural sciences, metrology and related technical disciplines.
Does SANAS always offer bursaries?
Technical state bodies run such schemes intermittently depending on budget and skills needs. Confirm whether one is currently open.
Where else can I look for science funding?
Other science councils and sector bodies offer bursaries, and NSFAS funds students meeting its income threshold.
Confirm whether a scheme is currently open, and its criteria, with SANAS directly. See bursary requirements and browse all finance and funding requirements.