Are you a student passionate about building South Africa’s roads and transport systems? The SARF Bursaries 2026 offer a great chance to fund your studies in this key field. Offered by the South African Road Federation, these bursaries target students at diploma, degree, and postgraduate levels in South African universities and universities of technology.
About the SARF Bursary Programme
The SARF Bursary Programme helps build skills in South Africa’s road transport and infrastructure sector. It supports careers in road engineering, transport management, transport economics, and road safety. The programme gives special focus to postgraduate studies like MSc and MTech, which suit students who want to specialize in transport systems.
Fields Covered
SARF covers several areas under road engineering, transport management, economics, and safety.
Road Engineering (Civil)
This includes traffic engineering, transportation planning, pavement and bridge engineering, construction materials and management, and environmental and stormwater engineering. These topics prepare students for hands-on work in road design and maintenance.
Road Transport Management
Students learn logistics coordination, fleet operations, transport systems optimisation, and freight planning. These skills help manage the movement of goods across the country.
Transport Economics
Key areas are infrastructure investment analysis, transport policy development, cost-benefit modelling, and freight corridor planning. This field teaches how to make smart choices about transport spending.
Road Safety Engineering
Focus is on accident prevention systems, traffic flow design, smart road technologies, and highway safety assessments. Graduates help create safer roads for everyone.
Who Should Apply?
Apply if you study civil engineering with a transport focus, logistics or transport management, transport economics, or road safety engineering. Postgraduate students planning advanced studies in infrastructure are especially welcome.
Minimum Requirements
Diploma students must have passed Semester 1. Degree students need to have passed their first year. Postgraduate students get preference if they pursue MSc, MTech, or advanced research.
Institution Requirements
You must attend a recognised South African institution. Your school needs to endorse you with proof of enrolment, your academic record, and proof that your programme fits SARF goals.
Funding Coverage
This is a supplementary bursary, so the amount changes for each student based on SARF Council decisions. Funds go straight to your institution to cover part of your study costs. Pair it with NSFAS, university bursaries, SETA funding, or employer support for full coverage.
Selection Preference
SARF picks students with strong grades, plans to work in transport, ties to SARF member groups, and a drive to improve infrastructure. South African residents come first, but students from SADC countries can apply too.
Important Requirement
You must commit to a career in South Africa’s road transport sector after your studies.
Required Documents
Gather these items: certified ID copy, academic transcripts, proof of registration, CV, motivation letter, and an endorsement letter from your institution.
How to Apply
Get the application form and send it to: South African Road Federation, 48 Gladiator Street, Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, 1619. Or use the postal address: PO Box 8379, Birchleigh, 1621. Call 011 394 9025 or 011 394 1459, or email [email protected] for help.
Important Notes
The closing date is 31 August 2026. SARF does not accept late applications. Check that all your documents are ready before you submit.
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