The SA-CERN Programme is inviting outstanding South African postgraduate students to apply for its Excellence MSc/PhD Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
The programme supports students beginning full-time MSc or PhD studies at South African universities in research areas connected to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, Switzerland.
Successful applicants receive full-cost study support for the duration of their studies, including eligible research trips to CERN. Applications close on 30 December 2026.
At a glance
| Sponsor / programme | SA-CERN Programme |
| Funders | Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and National Research Foundation |
| Administrator | NRF-iThemba LABS |
| Opportunity type | Postgraduate bursary |
| Academic year | 2027 |
| Study levels | MSc and PhD |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Institution | South African university |
| MSc value | Up to R150,000 per year |
| PhD value | Up to R200,000 per year |
| Citizenship | South African citizens |
| Closing date | 30 December 2026 |
| Application method | Online |
| Last verified | 31 October 2026 |
High-value notes (read this first)
- This bursary is specifically for students starting MSc or PhD studies in 2027.
- Applicants must be South African citizens.
- Study must be full-time at a South African university.
- The ideal applicant should have achieved an aggregate of at least 65% in the previous degree.
- The proposed research project must fall within one of the recognised SA-CERN programme pillars.
- The proposed supervisor must be an SA-CERN member.
- Applicants should identify a suitable research project and supervisor before completing the application.
- MSc students may receive up to R150,000 per year.
- PhD students may receive up to R200,000 per year.
- The funding includes eligible research trips to CERN that are aligned with the student’s project.
- Three recommendation letters are required.
- Applications close on 30 December 2026.
About the sponsor
The SA-CERN Programme is a South African national research initiative that enables researchers, postgraduate students, engineers and technicians to participate in scientific and technological work associated with CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, Switzerland.
The programme is supported by South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), and is administered through NRF-iThemba LABS.
Through SA-CERN, South African researchers and students participate in international research collaborations including ALICE, ATLAS and ISOLDE, as well as theoretical physics and technology-transfer activities. The programme gives South African researchers access to CERN’s scientific infrastructure, research data, international collaborations and advanced technologies.
NRF-iThemba LABS:
SA-CERN Programme:
National Research Foundation:
Department of Science, Technology and Innovation:
CERN:
What the bursary covers
The SA-CERN Excellence Bursary provides full-cost study support for successful students for the duration of their approved studies.
The maximum annual bursary values for 2027 are:
- MSc: up to R150,000 per year
- PhD: up to R200,000 per year
The programme also sponsors eligible research trips to CERN in Switzerland where these trips are directly aligned with the selected student’s research project.
The exact allocation of the bursary between individual study costs should be confirmed in the funding agreement issued to successful applicants.
Eligible research areas
The proposed research project must align with one of the main SA-CERN programme pillars:
- SA-ALICE
- SA-ATLAS
- SA-ISOLDE
- SA-THEORY
- Technology Transfer
Examples of supported research fields
The SA-CERN Programme covers a broad range of scientific and technical research areas, including:
- Particle Physics
- Nuclear Physics
- Quantum Field Theory
- Fundamental Interactions
- Nuclear Structure
- Nuclear Astrophysics
- Solid-State Physics
- Large Hadron Collider data analysis
- Big Data
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Particle Detectors
- High-Performance Computing
- High-Throughput Computing
- Digital Electronics
- Accelerator Physics
- Medical Physics
- Quantum Computing
- Technology Development and Transfer
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following core requirements:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be starting an MSc or PhD qualification in 2027
- Register for full-time study at a South African university
- Demonstrate a strong academic track record and clear evidence of future research potential
- Ideally have achieved an aggregate of at least 65% in the previous degree
- Propose a research project that falls within one of the SA-CERN programme pillars
- Have a proposed supervisor who is a member of the SA-CERN Programme
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an award. The programme seeks applicants who demonstrate strong academic performance and significant future research potential.
Important supervisor requirement
Applicants cannot simply choose any postgraduate supervisor at a South African university.
The proposed supervisor must be an SA-CERN Programme member, and the proposed research project must be connected to one of the programme’s approved research pillars.
Applicants should therefore review the available SA-CERN projects and potential supervisors before completing the bursary application.
Documents to prepare
Applicants must prepare the following supporting documents:
- Up-to-date CV
- Complete academic record
- Statement of purpose
- Copy of South African ID document
- Three letters of recommendation
- Copies of research publications or reports authored or co-authored by the applicant, where applicable
- Copy of the dissertation or research work from the applicant’s previous level of study
The three recommendation letters should be prepared in accordance with the instructions provided in the current online application.
Statement of purpose
The statement of purpose must address at least:
- The applicant’s proposed research topic
- The proposed SA-CERN supervisor
Applicants should make this section specific to the chosen SA-CERN research project rather than submitting a generic postgraduate motivation.
Research experience and publications
Applicants who have authored or co-authored research publications or reports should include copies with their application.
Previous dissertations or research projects are also important because they help demonstrate the applicant’s research background and readiness for advanced postgraduate study.
Closing date
30 December 2026
Applicants should begin preparing well before the deadline because the application requires a suitable SA-CERN supervisor, a research proposal or topic, academic records and three recommendation letters.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for Honours study instead of MSc or PhD study
- Applying if you are not a South African citizen
- Planning to study part-time
- Planning to register at a university outside South Africa
- Choosing a research project that does not align with an SA-CERN pillar
- Selecting a supervisor who is not an SA-CERN member
- Submitting a generic statement of purpose without identifying the proposed research topic and supervisor
- Forgetting one or more of the three recommendation letters
- Uploading an incomplete academic record
- Leaving out previous research publications or reports where applicable
- Waiting until the final days to find an appropriate SA-CERN supervisor
- Submitting after 30 December 2026
How this opportunity was verified
This opportunity was verified using the official NRF-iThemba LABS SA-CERN Programme and bursary pages, which confirm the programme structure, research pillars, postgraduate funding model, South African participation at CERN and the bursary’s full-cost support approach.
The current 2027 bursary call confirms funding for students beginning MSc and PhD studies in 2027, with annual values of up to R150,000 for MSc students and R200,000 for PhD students.
The 2027 application information also confirms the South African citizenship requirement, full-time registration at a South African university, approximately 65% academic benchmark, SA-CERN supervisor requirement and closing date of 30 December 2026.
How to apply
- Review the official SA-CERN bursary page.
- Study the available SA-CERN research projects.
- Identify the programme pillar that best matches your proposed research.
- Identify an eligible SA-CERN member who can supervise your research.
- Discuss the proposed project with the potential supervisor where appropriate.
- Prepare your updated CV and complete academic record.
- Prepare the required statement of purpose naming your proposed research topic and supervisor.
- Prepare your South African ID copy.
- Obtain three recommendation letters.
- Prepare copies of previous research publications, reports and dissertation where applicable.
- Complete the official online application form.
- Upload all required documents.
- Review the application carefully.
- Submit before 30 December 2026.