SANBI Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship

Fields of study

• PGD and Honours level projects field: Horticulture
• Masters level projects field: Botany/ Community Ecology
• Masters or Doctoral level projects field: Biological Invasions / Socio-ecological research
• Doctoral level projects field: Plant systematics

Who can apply

• Be a South African citizen
• Be under 35 years old at the time of application
• Intend on studying full-time Honours, Masters or Doctoral (or equivalent NQF levels) studies in 2026 (existing studies will not be funded)
• Be pursuing level of study for the first time (second Honours, Masters or Doctoral degree will not be funded)
• Masters students: you must hold an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma
• Your project of study must be relevant to SANBI’s mandate and research strategy, and identified as a priority
• Your focus of research projects, including field sites must be within the Cape Floristic Region
• Be studying or intend on studying at any university in South Africa
• Be accepted or provisionally accepted by an academic supervisor (contact the SANBI and university supervisors for endorsement prior to applying)
• Be willing to stay in the Western Cape for at least three (3) months of the study period for field work and face to face consultation with SANBI supervisors (where relevant)
• Be pro-active, enthusiastic, and interested in doing excellent research that can make a difference
• Not be employed
• Not be receiving any other full scholarships or bursaries (students who hold partial scholarships/bursaries, co-funding will be considered)

What the bursary covers

Value mentioned: R120 000, R150 000, R180 000

Documents you will need

• ID Document (certified copy)
• Letter of interest
• Academic records/ transcripts (certified copies)
• Highest qualification (certified copy)
• Provisional registration/ application from your university (on institutes letterhead)
• 2 academic letters of reference
• Letter from a future university supervisor and SANBI supervisor showing their willingness to supervise

Full bursary documents checklist

How to apply

1. Check the requirements

   Make sure you meet every requirement listed above. Applications that miss one are usually rejected automatically.

2. Prepare your documents

   Scan clear copies of everything the provider asks for, certified where required.

3. Apply through the official channel
   SANBI Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship Application 2026

   Applicants must be submitted online at: SANBI Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship Application 2026

4. Submit before the closing date

   Usually closes around October. Late applications are almost never accepted.

Applications for the current cycle have closed. This bursary usually opens again each year, so prepare your documents now and check back.

Genuine bursaries never charge an application fee. How to spot bursary scams

Contact the bursary provider

• Email [email protected]
• Email [email protected]

Contact the provider only with questions about this bursary. StudentBursaries.co.za does not process applications.

About SANBI Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) manages the national botanical gardens and leads biodiversity research.