The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) invests in the training of future heritage professionals, and so continues to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of South Africa. For the work year of 2026, the Department invites South African prospective candidates to the Heritage Related Studies Bursary Programme, an initiative to fund under and post-graduate students enrolling in any of the full-time heritage studies.
This bursary programme is intended to begin to remedy the skills gaps in the heritage industry, while also ensuring the for future generations the diversified recorded history, and the unique traditions and the cultural assets of South Africa are researched, recorded, and promoted. Applications for the 2026 DSAC bursary will be accepted until **31 January 2026**. Students are advised to apply early in order to not miss the bursary awarding date.
### Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The DSAC Heritage Related Studies Bursary Programme is directed to South African citizens **40 years and below** and students who will be studying full-time in 2026. Applicants are expected to be academically exceptional and should have an average above 65%, and should have a higher education qualification in a heritage-related programme, at a Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) accredited institution.
Full-time employment is not permitted. Students who work part-time or are on contracts, however, are eligible, only if they earn below **R130 000** a year and can provide certified proof of income. Additionally, applicants cannot have support from any other bursary or donor. Students who received funding from DSAC in 2025 must **reapply** for the 2026 funding.
### Benefits and Value of the Bursary
Every DSAC bursary recipient is guaranteed **up to R110 000** in funding, which enables them to teach/do the schooling/deliver the education without the hindrances of Financial support. The bursary guarantees **100% coverage on the tuition** which makes a huge difference for the students and their parents.
Moreover, the bursary covers the complete cost of prescribed books and also provides funding for a digital device of up to R10 000, which is necessary considering the current state of online learning. Students may also be eligible to receive on-campus housing support of up to **R50 000**, food subsidy of up to **R18 500**, and travel support of up to **R10 000**. All funds from the bursary are paid **directly to the institution**, which promotes transparency and accountability in the usage of the funds.
Your text is well written and clear. It is helpful to have the older text to compare and organize the information in new text to aid in keeping the information structured so it is easy to read. This will help in keeping the same pros and cons. As stated in the instructions, I have not changed the guidelines, and will keep the same consistency in the style and length inf your new text.
### Supported Fields of Study
For the 2026 academic year, DSAC will invest in a number of disciplines pertaining to heritage. Locally in South Africa, the options for studies include: Physical and Biological Anthropology, Archaeology (which includes Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage), Geography, Geomatic Sciences such as GIS and Cartography, Archival Studies, Records Management, Library and Information Science, and Built Heritage Conservation.
Other funded areas include Heritage and Museum Studies, Palaeontology, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, History, and Heritage Resource Digitization. These are essential fields for the documentation, preservation, and interpretation of South Africa’s heritage, both cultural and natural.
Along with local studies, the DSAC provides funding for **specialized international study components**, especially in Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage, Digital Archaeology, Heritage Conservation, and Preservation, which are areas that are not as developed in South Africa.
### Required Supporting documents
All documents that are required to support the students’ applications must be submitted with copies that are certified and not older than three months. These documents are as follows: a certified copy of the South African ID, proof of registration, or provisional acceptance (screenshots will not be accepted), a certified copy of the Matric certificate, and the most recent academic results or a progress report for the postgraduate studies.
Applicants need to document guardians’ / parents’ household income certification, current employment verified by a payslip, disability proof (if applicable), and an affidavit regarding income/salary document authenticity. Applications missing any documents will be disqualified.
### Notes Before Applying
Students must check that they have received provisional acceptance for a **heritage-related programme in 2026**. Students must also check that their selected qualification is in an approved area of study. Applications will not be assessed for study areas not included on the list.
Through the DSAC Heritage Related Studies Bursary Programme, new heritage professionals can obtain the training and qualifications that will enable them to make an important contribution to South Africa’s heritage. Students that meet the criteria are advised to organize their documents as soon as possible and to ensure a complete application by **31 January 2026**.
