The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) invites postgraduate students to apply for the 2026 Heritage Bursary, which supports heritage-related studies at accredited South African universities. The bursary funds tuition, books and living expenses up to R110 000 per student and aims to build capacity in heritage preservation and research.
At a glance
- Who it’s for: South African postgraduate students (honours, master’s or doctoral) under 40 who wish to pursue heritage-related studies.
- What it covers: Tuition fees, prescribed books, accommodation and living allowance up to R110 000 per student.
- Service obligation: Bursars must submit research reports/dissertations to DSAC and share findings with the heritage sector.
- Key dates: Applications open 26 November 2025 and close 31 January 2026.
- Other notes: Applicants must register for full-time study in a heritage discipline; preference is given to previously disadvantaged individuals and research aligned to South Africa’s heritage sector.
Who’s offering this?
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) – the government department responsible for preserving and promoting South Africa’s cultural heritage and supporting arts and cultural practitioners.
What’s on offer
The heritage bursary fosters specialised skills in heritage management, archaeology, conservation and archival studies to preserve the country’s diverse cultural heritage.
- Tuition fees for full-time postgraduate studies.
- Prescribed books and research materials.
- Accommodation and living allowance up to the value of R110 000.
- Funding for conference attendance or fieldwork if relevant to the research.
Supported fields
DSAC supports a broad range of heritage-related disciplines.
- Heritage Studies and Heritage Resource Management
- Archaeology and Paleontology
- Museum and Curatorship Studies
- Conservation and Restoration
- Archival Studies and Records Management
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Heritage Tourism
Eligibility checklist
- South African citizen under the age of 40.
- Holds a bachelor’s degree and accepted into a heritage-related honours, master’s or doctoral programme.
- Not currently receiving another bursary or scholarship.
- Proposed research aligns with South Africa’s heritage sector priorities.
- Willing to share research outputs with DSAC and the wider heritage community.
Documents to prepare
- Certified copy of your South African ID.
- Proof of acceptance or registration for your postgraduate programme.
- Research proposal outlining your intended topic and its relevance to heritage.
- Full academic transcripts, CV and a letter of support from your prospective supervisor.
Key dates
Applications close on 31 January 2026. Successful candidates will be notified by March 2026, and funding will be released before the academic year begins.
How selection and placement work
DSAC assesses applications based on academic merit, the relevance of the research topic and alignment with heritage sector priorities. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for interviews. Final bursary awards are subject to the signing of a bursary agreement.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for non-heritage fields.
- Submitting incomplete applications or missing documents.
- Not providing a detailed research proposal.
- Missing the 31 January 2026 deadline.
How to apply (step-by-step)
- Visit the DSAC bursary portal and create an account.
- Complete the online application form with your personal and academic details.
- Upload all required documents, including your research proposal, transcripts and supervisor’s letter.
- Submit your application by 31 January 2026.
- Monitor your email for confirmation and any requests for additional information.
After you submit
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews or further documentation. Successful applicants will sign a bursary contract and must maintain satisfactory academic progress and submit their research reports to DSAC.