The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) invites South African postgraduate students to apply for the NAC Bursary Programme 2026.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 19 December 2025
Location: South Africa (Local Postgraduate Studies Only)
About the National Arts Council (NAC)
The National Arts Council (NAC) is one of South Africa’s key institutions supporting the development, promotion, and growth of the arts sector. Through funding, policy support and capacity-building initiatives, the NAC empowers artists, scholars, cultural practitioners, and organisations across all creative disciplines.
The NAC Bursary Programme forms part of the organisation’s strategy to invest in advanced training, academic research, artistic innovation, and the development of future arts leaders.
Overview of the NAC Postgraduate Bursary Programme 2026
The NAC Individual Postgraduate Bursary supports students pursuing postgraduate qualifications in the arts at accredited South African universities.
Eligible Study Levels
- Postgraduate Diploma / Honours
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
- Local arts-related residencies or supervised research
Fields of Study (Examples)
- Theatre
- Dance
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Literature
- Crafts
- Multidisciplinary Arts
- Cultural Policy
- Arts Management
- Film and new media (where institutionally recognised)
Priority is given to previously disadvantaged applicants.
Minimum Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be accepted or registered for a postgraduate arts qualification at a South African institution
- Have a minimum average of 65% (63% considered only in exceptional cases)
- Demonstrate talent, academic capability and commitment to the arts
- Be willing to “plough back” into the community through outreach, training, mentorship, or arts development programmes
- Submit all required supporting documents
- Sign a funding agreement if approved
What the NAC Bursary Covers
Funding may include:
Tuition (Primary Focus)
Full or partial coverage depending on institutional costs.
Living Expenses (If Tuition is Covered Elsewhere)
- Accommodation
- Books and study materials
- Travel for research/workshops
- Subsistence allowance
Research Support
Funding for supervised postgraduate research or local arts residencies.
Documents Required
When applying, upload the following:
- CV
- Certified SA ID (not older than 12 months)
- Academic transcript
- Certified copies of previous qualifications
- Proof of acceptance/registration
- Course structure and official fee statement
- Proof of other funding (if applicable)
- Two reference letters (not older than 3 months)
- Motivation letter
- Proof of household income
- Bank confirmation/statement (not older than 6 months)
Incomplete applications are automatically disqualified.
How to Apply
Click here to apply for the National Arts Council (NAC) Bursary Programme 2026
https://nac.praxisgms.co.za/xaLogin/NAC/reglogin.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
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