The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) collects, tests and supplies blood for most of the country, and it needs medical laboratory scientists who understand transfusion. SANBS offers bursaries to university students who take immunohaematology, the science of blood groups and transfusion, as part of a Bachelor of Health Sciences. SANBS has not yet published a bursary round for the 2027 academic year.
Two SANBS rounds, two different timings
SANBS’s own application forms show how the timing has shifted:
- For 2025 studies: the form targeted second- and third-year Bachelor of Health Sciences students with immunohaematology (blood transfusion) as an elective, and closed on 31 January 2025.
- For 2026 studies: SANBS revised its form in October 2025 and set an earlier closing date of 19 December 2025.
If SANBS follows its most recent pattern, the next call could come in the last quarter of 2026, but SANBS has not confirmed this. Follow the SANBS website and its social media pages from October onwards so that a December closing date does not slip past during exams.
SANBS selection criteria
Both SANBS forms list the same selection rules. To be considered you must:
- be a South African citizen younger than 30;
- be studying in the field SANBS advertises (immunohaematology within a Bachelor of Health Sciences in the 2025 round);
- have an average pass mark of at least 65% in your current year of study; and
- not receive money from any other bursary.
SANBS may give preference to students who could not attend university without a bursary, meaning a total household income of no more than R600 000 a year. The form also asks whether you have applied for other bursaries or scholarships, so declare them honestly.
Putting together a SANBS application
SANBS takes applications by email, not through an online portal. In the 2026 round, applicants emailed the completed form and supporting documents to bursaries@sanbs.org.za. SANBS considers only complete applications, so include:
- the signed SANBS bursary application form;
- a certified copy of your final matric results;
- proof of acceptance at a registered, accredited tertiary institution;
- your most recent academic report from the university;
- a motivational essay of no more than 250 words, written in the space on the form;
- a certified copy of your South African ID; and
- three months’ payslips or bank statements for your parents or guardian.
SANBS does not accept forms after the closing date. If SANBS has not contacted you within one month of the closing date, treat your application as unsuccessful. Download the form from the SANBS website once a new round is announced, rather than reusing an old copy, because SANBS changes the closing date and field on each version. The SANBS site could not be reached on 1 October 2026, so allow for downtime and do not leave your application until the last day.
More funding for medical laboratory science
SANBS awards only a handful of bursaries, so spread your applications. Our medical bursaries page lists other health science funders, the Poliomyelitis Research Foundation bursaries suit students heading for postgraduate laboratory research, and the Western Cape health bursary covers several health qualifications.
Can a first-year student get a SANBS bursary?
The 2025 round was for second- and third-year students only. SANBS’s later form leaves the year of study blank, so check the year groups in the next advert before you apply.