Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) Bursaries 2027: Civil Engineering Funding

The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) is offering bursaries for the 2027 academic year to students pursuing Civil Engineering and related infrastructure engineering qualifications. This opportunity is for students entering their second year or higher at an ECSA-accredited institution in South Africa.

Application Closing Date: 15 September 2026
Location: ECSA-accredited tertiary institutions in South Africa
Programme Duration: Not specified
Stipend: Up to R50,000 for tuition and books
Minimum Qualification: Completed first year of study, entering second year or higher
Opportunity Type: Bursary

About the IMESA Bursary Programme 2027

The IMESA Bursary Programme aims to support students in Civil Engineering and other infrastructure engineering fields. The bursary provides financial assistance for tuition fees and prescribed books, helping students to continue their studies without significant financial strain. This initiative is crucial for developing skilled professionals in municipal engineering, which is vital for South Africa’s infrastructure development.

IMESA offers two distinct bursary schemes to cater to different applicant groups. Bursary Scheme A is for students who are not members of IMESA or dependants of members, requiring them to demonstrate financial need. Bursary Scheme B is for children or dependants of IMESA members who have maintained membership for at least five years.

The bursary is intended for full-time students who have successfully completed their first year of study and are progressing to their second year or a higher level in the 2027 academic year. Applicants must be registered at a South African tertiary institution with an Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) accredited programme.

About the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA)

The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) is a professional body dedicated to advancing municipal engineering in South Africa. It serves as a platform for professionals in this field to share knowledge, promote best practices, and advocate for the development of municipal infrastructure. IMESA plays a role in professional development and networking within the local government and engineering sectors.

Available Bursary Opportunities

The IMESA Bursary Programme primarily supports studies in the following fields:

• Civil Engineering
• Related infrastructure engineering disciplines

While other engineering disciplines may be considered, this is at the discretion of the IMESA Executive Council. Applicants pursuing fields outside of Civil Engineering or infrastructure-related engineering should be aware that approval is not guaranteed.

What the Bursary Offers

Successful applicants can receive financial support of up to R50,000. This funding is specifically allocated for:

• Tuition fees
• Prescribed books

The bursary does not cover expenses such as accommodation, meals, transport, registration fees, study equipment, or personal allowances. Applicants should budget for these additional costs separately. Funding is paid directly to the tertiary institution.

Programme Duration and Location

The bursary is for students entering their second year or higher of study in the 2027 academic year. The programme duration is dependent on the student’s chosen qualification. The bursary is tenable at any ECSA-accredited tertiary institution in South Africa.

Minimum Requirements

To be considered for the IMESA Bursary Programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be studying full-time.
• Be pursuing a Civil Engineering degree or a related infrastructure engineering qualification.
• Have completed their first year of tertiary study.
• Be entering their second year or a higher year of study in 2027.
• Be registered at an ECSA-accredited tertiary institution in South Africa.
• For Bursary Scheme A: Demonstrate genuine financial need and an inability to fund studies without assistance.
• For Bursary Scheme B: Be a child or dependant of an IMESA member who has held membership for at least five years.

Competencies Required

While not explicitly listed as formal requirements, successful bursary recipients will benefit from:

• Strong academic performance.
• A genuine interest in municipal engineering.
• Good communication skills.
• The ability to manage their studies