The South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) has opened its 2026 academic year Bursary program. All interested applicants should apply using the details below.

ABOUT THE SAIRR BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) are inviting students to apply for bursary funding for the 2026 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for ANY field of study, towards an Undergraduate Degree or Diploma qualification. (Please note that postgraduate and Honours funding is not currently available).
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SAIRR BURSARY

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must have completed Matric or be currently in Matric
• You must be studying or intend on studying towards a first undergraduate degree/ diploma qualification (NOT a postgraduate qualification)
• You must be studying or intend on studying at a South African tertiary institution (which is registered with the Council for Higher Education)
• You must have proven financial need

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SAIRR BURSARY

Applications must be done online at: SAIRR Bursary Application 2026
 

Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit the following supporting documentation (make sure that you have all these documents ready and certified where applicable, as submission of these documents is compulsory in order to proceed with your application).

• ID document (certified copy)
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Matric latest results, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
• Full tertiary academic record, if currently in University (certified copy)
• Proof of tertiary registration/ admission (on institutions letterhead)

SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE SAIRR BURSARY

The selection process will include the following steps:
1) You apply via the IRR online platform as listed above, before the closing date.
2) All online applications will be reviewed by the Institute and selected candidates will be shortlisted.
3) Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to submit their supporting documents (as listed above) – if you have not received and correspondence by 30 September 2026, please accept that you have not been shortlisted.
4) Supporting documentation must be submitted to the Institute by 16 November 2026 at the latest.
5) The Institute selection committee will review all shortlisted applications and their supporting documents and will make a final decision by 15 February 2026, which will then be communicated to the successful students.

CLOSING DATE FOR THE SAIRR BURSARY

31 August 2026.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the SAIRR directly:
Tel: 011 482 7221
Fax: 011 482 7690
Email: info@irr.org.za