The Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA) is accepting applications for its 2027 doctoral discretionary grant. Employed and unemployed South African doctoral students may apply if they are registered and their approved research aligns with the banking or alternative banking sector. Funding is capped at R70,000 per year for up to three years, subject to approval. Applications close at 16:00 on 11 December 2026. Refer to the Apply Here button below for the official call and application details.
Closing date: 11 December 2026 at 16:00 (timezone not stated)
At a glance
- Sponsor/host: Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA)
- Opportunity type: Doctoral bursary
- Who it’s for: Employed or unemployed South African citizens registered for doctoral studies, with an approved research proposal aligned to the banking or alternative banking sector.
- Study level: Doctoral
- Location: South Africa
- Academic year: 2027
- Closing date: 11 December 2026 at 16:00 (timezone not stated)
- Last verified: 2026-11-12
High-value notes (read this first)
The 2027 award is capped at R70,000 per beneficiary per year for no more than three years, subject to budget approval.
BANKSETA says it will prioritise people with disabilities and women.
Applicants with active BANKSETA funding will not be considered.
The guidelines do not state a minimum mark or a residence restriction.
The deadline is 16:00 on 11 December 2026; the guidelines do not specify a timezone.
About the sponsor
The Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA) supports skills development and transformation in the banking and microfinance sector. Its discretionary grants fund skills-development initiatives linked to sector needs. This doctoral funding window supports employed and unemployed South African doctoral students whose approved research is aligned with the banking or alternative banking sector, with the aim of building doctoral research and outputs that benefit the sector.
What it covers
Up to R70,000 per beneficiary per year, for a maximum of three years, subject to approved budget and the funding agreement. Eligible costs are doctoral study fees and training costs, local travel, accommodation, research and editing. International conferences are excluded. No cost may be claimed twice or funded by another source.
Eligible fields
- Digital, artificial intelligence and technology skills
- Regulatory compliance, cybersecurity and financial crime
- Management, leadership and transformation
- Alternative banking and financial inclusion
- Green and sustainable finance
Eligibility
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be registered for doctoral studies; proof of acceptance alone is not accepted.
- Have an approved research proposal aligned with the banking or alternative banking sector, including BANKSETA sector skills priorities.
- Be employed or unemployed. Employed applicants must provide proof of employment showing their commencement date; unemployed applicants must provide a signed affidavit using the BANKSETA template.
- Applicants with active BANKSETA funding will not be considered.
- Funding is subject to the approved budget. BANKSETA says it will prioritise people with disabilities and women.
Documents to prepare
- Completed and signed BANKSETA application form
- Copy of South African ID document
- Approved research proposal
- Institutional approval letter for the research proposal
- Proof of doctoral registration for the applicable year
- Proof of employment showing commencement date, if applicable
- Signed unemployment affidavit using the BANKSETA template, if applicable
Closing date
11 December 2026 at 16:00 (timezone not stated)
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not rely on an acceptance letter alone: BANKSETA requires proof of registration for doctoral studies.
- Submit the completed, signed BANKSETA application form and the required supporting documents by email; applications sent through another channel will not be accepted.
- Submit only one application. If you send more than one before the deadline, BANKSETA will assess the latest submission received before the deadline.
- If employed, include proof of employment showing the commencement date. If unemployed, include the signed affidavit on the BANKSETA template.
- Do not claim costs that are already funded by another source or claim the same cost more than once.
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against BANKSETA’s official funding-window page and its linked November 2026 doctoral funding guidelines on 12 November 2026.
How to apply
- Check that you are a South African citizen registered for doctoral studies and that your approved research proposal aligns with the banking or alternative banking sector.
- Complete the prescribed BANKSETA doctoral application form and sign it.
- Attach a copy of your South African ID, approved research proposal, institutional approval letter for the proposal and proof of doctoral registration for the applicable year.
- If employed, attach proof of employment showing your commencement date. If unemployed, attach the signed unemployment affidavit using the BANKSETA template.
- Email the application and supporting documents to DoctoralFunding2027@bankseta.org.za by 16:00 on 11 December 2026. Late applications or applications sent through another channel will not be accepted.