Applications are now open for the 2026 Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary Programme. The Industrial Development Corporation of SA Ltd (IDC) runs several human resource development and capacity building programs to address the country’s skills shortages & to recruit & develop professional employees. Providing bursaries to qualifying students is one of these programs.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this bursary scheme students must meet certain age & academic requirements.
Eligible Age
Students must be between 16 & 26 years old to apply.
Matric Students
Students must have achieved a total average of 75% or above and must be South African citizens.
Tertiary Students
Students must have achieved a total average of 65% or above and must be South African citizens.
Bursary Program
The bursary covers studies in Engineering, Business & Economics Agricultural Science and Computer Science.
Scholarship Worth
The bursary covers tuition fees and campus accommodation paid directly to the university. Prescribed textbook fees will be paid directly to a service provider when quotations and relevant documents are submitted. Accommodation at university approved residences will be paid directly to the landlord based on an approved lease agreement between the student and landlord. Payment timelines will be agreed upon between parties and will ideally align with the university’s semester system. Students living in self-catering residences either on campus or at university approved residences will receive a meal allowance paid quarterly.
Selection Criteria
The main criteria for selecting successful applicants are as follows.
- Preference is given to applicants from rural areas.
- Academic excellence is assessed by comparing June Grade 12 results with Grade 11 results and Grade 12 preliminary results if available.
- The IDC Bursary programme targets high performing Grade 12 students who obtain a minimum B aggregate symbol in Mathematics and Science.
- University applicants must have an average of at least a C aggregate.
- University or University of Technology students who have completed one or more years will be assessed on their Grade 12 and most recent academic results.
Application Procedure
Applications together with supporting documents must be uploaded online. Only applications from South African citizens with a valid ID number who reside in South Africa and qualify for admission to a South African university or TVET college will be considered. Applicants must not be receiving funding from an employer or another bursary. If you are already studying towards a degree for which you are applying for this bursary you must have passed all courses for which you registered at the university during the study period already completed. Applications must be for full time studies towards an academic degree at an accredited South African university or university of technology. No bursaries are awarded for studies at private colleges such as Damelin or Boston or at private universities.
