The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has opened 2027 external bursary applications for qualifying South African students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The closing date for 2027 is 30 September 2026. Students with disabilities are specifically encouraged to apply.
NDMC bursary covers 100% of full tuition fees including registration for qualifying students, with Master’s students eligible for a R11,000 research allowance.
NDMC bursary covers 100% of full tuition fees including registration
Qualifying applicants will have 100% of full tuition fees covered by the bursary. Master’s students who qualify for the award can also expect to receive a R11,000 research allowance.
Students should consult the relevant bursary advert to confirm total funding provisions and determine whether the NDMC bursary will cover any additional costs for their chosen course of study. Students should also ensure that they fully understand the requirements before applying.
NDMC bursary to support qualifying South African undergraduates and postgraduates
Applicants must be South African citizens studying at an eligible institution. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students are eligible for the NDMC bursary, but students should consult the official advert to verify whether their qualifications and study path meet the advertised NDMC bursary criteria. Meeting a general requirement will not guarantee that an application will be successful.
NDMC encourages applications from students with disabilities
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply, and should use relevant information where required to ensure that they meet the NDMC’s criteria.
Master’s students to receive research allowance of up to R11,000
One of the key benefits of the NDMC bursary is that it covers full tuition fees (100%) including registration. A R11,000 research allowance is also available to Master’s qualifying applicants, delivering additional funding assistance for postgraduate students. Students should not assume that all Master’s applicants who qualify for the NDMC bursary will receive the maximum amount – the wording confirms that the research allowance is up to R11,000.
Students should apply for the NDMC bursary as early as possible
Applicants must apply for the NDMC bursary by 30 September 2026. Students should not leave their applications until the closing date, especially if they need to complete any steps such as obtaining or uploading supporting documents, certificates of study or other documents. A last-minute application can be affected by technical issues, and it is always best to double-check all the information before an application is submitted. Applicants must confirm:
All mandatory fields have been completed.
Supporting documents have been uploaded.
Uploaded documents are clearly legible where necessary.
Personal information is correct.
Qualification and study information is correct.
The application has been successfully submitted via the online portal.
How to apply for the NDMC bursary
Applications are submitted online via the NDMC bursary portal:
NDMC Online Bursary Application Portal
Applicants must use the official portal and follow the instructions when submitting the application. The NDMC has issued a warning to applicants that incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
What to do before submitting the application
The application process is a rigorous document verification procedure. Applicants must first read the full official advert and confirm that they meet the stated requirements and possess the necessary supporting documents. They must also collect the necessary documents before proceeding to apply online. Applicants should also confirm that the information they enter online matches the information on their documents. Name, identification, academic information or other critical discrepancies can cause problems during verification.
Important deadline
The closing date for the NDMC 2027 External Bursary Programme is 30 September 2026. Applications that are submitted late or contain insufficient documentation will not be considered according to the supplied information. Applicants should therefore submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting for the last hour.
A bursary can significantly reduce the cost of further study
For students who qualify, the NDMC bursary would cover 100% of full tuition and registration costs, significantly reducing the financial burden of pursuing higher education. The research allowance represents an additional amount of funding for qualifying postgraduate students. However, students should always confirm exactly which costs are covered before making any financial decisions based on the NDMC bursary. Students should also remember that a bursary is not the same as a monthly allowance or job opportunity, and the supplied information only confirms tuition and registration coverage along with the designated Master’s research allowance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NDMC External Bursary Programme?
It is a bursary programme for 2027 academic year qualifying South African undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Does the bursary cover tuition?
Yes. The supplied information confirms that the programme covers 100% tuition fee (including registration).
Is postgraduate study covered?
Yes. The NDMC bursary covers qualifying undergraduate and postgraduate students.
How much is the Master’s research allowance?
Eligible Master’s students can receive a research allowance of up to R11,000.
When does the application close?
The deadline for applications is 30 September 2026.
Where do students apply?
Applications are submitted through the official NDMC online bursary portal.
Are students with disabilities encouraged to apply?
Yes. The NDMC has specifically encouraged students with disabilities to apply.
Will incomplete applications be accepted?
No. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered according to the supplied information.
Source
Source: National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) 2027 External Bursary Programme information supplied for this article.
NDMC Online Bursary Application Portal
Editorial policy
This article was independently written for South African students using the supplied NDMC bursary information as its factual basis.
The article makes a clear distinction between confirmed funding information and requirements that applicants need to verify for themselves in the official bursary advertisement. No additional qualifications, age limits, academic averages or allowances have been invented.
Disclaimer
Eligibility to apply for the NDMC bursary does not guarantee that a student will receive the award.
Applicants should always read the complete official advertisement and confirm all qualification, academic, documentation and funding requirements before submitting their applications.
Student awareness
Students should be aware of the risks involved in applying for bursaries online.
Never pay anyone for a guarantee of NDMC bursary approval. Only use the official application portal, and protect personal information at all times. Never submit identity or banking documents to unofficial websites or individuals.
