Company: Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
Location: South Africa (applicants must be studying at public universities or universities of technology)
Remuneration: Full bursary support including tuition, accommodation, meals, transport, and laptop
Closing Date: 30 September 2025

Introduction
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is once again offering its highly sought-after bursaries for the 2026 academic year. These bursaries are designed to assist academically talented South African students who demonstrate financial need, with the aim of empowering the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals in finance, law, STEM, and other critical fields.

What is IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) Bursaries 2026?
The IDC Bursary Programme provides full financial support for deserving students who plan to study full-time in approved courses at South African public universities or universities of technology.
The bursary covers:

• 100% of tuition fees
• University or accredited off-campus accommodation
• Meal allowance
• Transport allowance
• A once-off laptop for study purposes

Recipients must work for IDC for a certain period after completing their studies, ensuring both personal career development and contribution to South Africa’s industrial growth.

Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• South African citizen not older than 26 years
• Enrolled in or planning to study full-time at a South African public university/university of technology
• Matriculants: minimum average of 75%
• Current tertiary students: minimum average of 65% and maintain at least 60% GPA throughout studies
• Household income of up to R350 000 per annum (priority consideration). Applicants with a combined income of up to R600 000 may be considered after affordability assessment
• Priority given to learners from Quintile 1–3 schools, rural communities, and previously disadvantaged backgrounds
• Preference also given to applicants living with disabilities

Role Responsibility
Recipients of the bursary are expected to:

• Maintain strong academic performance throughout their studies
• Submit annual progress reports for bursary renewal
• Complete their degree within the required timeframe
• Fulfil the post-study work-back obligation at IDC
• Represent IDC positively as brand ambassadors during their academic journey

Skills and Attributes
Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong academic ability and discipline
• Commitment to their chosen field of study
• Leadership potential and initiative
• Adaptability to challenging environments
• Good communication and problem-solving skills
• A genuine passion to contribute towards South Africa’s industrial and economic development

IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) Bursaries 2026

About the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation)
The IDC is a national development finance institution established in 1940 under the South African government. It plays a key role in industrialisation and economic growth, aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) and Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP). IDC invests in businesses that drive inclusive development, focusing on black-owned enterprises, women entrepreneurs, youth-driven projects, and industries critical to the future economy.

About the IDC Bursaries 2026
The IDC External Bursary Programme supports financially disadvantaged but academically strong South African students pursuing undergraduate qualifications, with limited exceptions for certain postgraduate studies.

Fields of Study Covered

• Finance/Management and Business Courses: Risk Management, Financial Accounting, Business Management, Accounting (CA), Supply Chain Management, Transport & Logistics, Financial Management, Economics, Internal Audit, Investment Management, Entrepreneurship, and more.
• STEM Courses: Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Mining, Chemical, Metallurgy, Mechatronics, Electronic), Computer Science, Data Science, Actuarial Science, Biotechnology, Mathematics/Statistics, Environmental Science, Geology, Physics, IT, Quantitative Risk Management, and Agricultural Studies.
• Law Courses: Diploma in Law, Bachelor of Law (LLB), BCom Law, Postgraduate Law studies.
• Postgraduate Studies: Limited funding available for Accounting CTA, Law, Mathematics/Statistics, and Actuarial Science.

Application Instructions
Applications must be submitted online via the IDC portal. Required documents include:

• Certified copy of South African ID (not older than 3 months)
• Proof of residence
• Matric certificate or recent results
• Parents’/guardians’ certified ID copies
• Proof of household income (payslips, bank statements, affidavits, or SASSA grant letter)
• Death/divorce certificates where applicable
• Recent certified academic transcripts for current students

Closing Date
All applications must be submitted by 30 September 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

For queries, applicants can contact:

• Noluthando Baepi at +27 11 269 3374
• Email: noluthandob@idc.co.za or ExternalBursaryQueries@idc.co.za