The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) is a trade union and professional body for nurses. Its Study Fund Committee hands out bursaries to members who are furthering their nursing qualifications, using money donated by companies. DENOSA has published its application forms for the 2027 academic year, and the Study Fund Committee must receive applications by 31 January 2027. Late applications are not considered.
Two years of paid-up membership before you apply
The DENOSA bursary is a member benefit, not an open bursary for school leavers. To apply for 2027 you must have been a fully paid-up DENOSA member for at least two years immediately before applying. You must stay paid up for the 2027 academic year and for the whole course the bursary supports. Applicants must also be registered nurses or midwives who have done some approved post-basic work.
Courses the Study Fund Committee considers
DENOSA’s 2027 form sets a different rule for each type of study:
- Post-basic bachelor’s degree in nursing: you must already have passed at least half of the programme (six courses) and send proof from the university.
- Post-basic diplomas: for a course longer than a year, at least half must be passed. One-year courses are exempt from this rule.
- Short courses: the course must be listed with the South African Nursing Council, or you add a motivation explaining how it will improve your nursing practice.
- Bridging course: you must have passed the first year before DENOSA considers you.
You need proof that the institution has accepted you for 2027. If that proof is not ready by 31 January 2027, the form allows you to arrange with the secretary to send it later. Nurses on full paid study leave must say so on the form.
Small, once-off awards paid to your institution
DENOSA states plainly that its bursaries are small and cover only part of your costs. Each award is a once-off donation: if you need help the following year, you apply again on a new form. The committee awards bursaries on merit and pays the money into the institution’s account, not your personal bank account. Bursary holders must send a progress report to the secretary by 14 February every year until they finish, or DENOSA may ask for the money back.
Sending the 2027 form to DENOSA
- Download the bursary application form from the DENOSA bursaries and travel grant page, or collect one from a DENOSA provincial office.
- Complete it in full, in print. DENOSA rejects faxed forms and incomplete applications.
- Sign the form in front of a commissioner of oaths and attach a copy of your ID and your proof of registration or results.
- Email the completed form to leahr@denosa.org.za, as DENOSA’s page instructs, or post it to The Secretary, DENOSA Study Fund Committee, PO Box 1280, Pretoria, 0001.
Do not send the form to the donor companies or to provincial offices, and do not contact the donors except to thank them. DENOSA will tell applicants the outcome in April 2027 at the earliest.
Master’s and doctoral nurses use a separate form
DENOSA’s postgraduate bursary supports research master’s and doctoral students whose topics fit health areas such as nurse education, community-oriented care, disease prevention and health policy. You need at least 60% in your previous qualification, an approved research proposal and a satisfactory supervisor’s report. DENOSA does not fund the proposal module, and students who receive other funding are not considered. This form lists a selection meeting on 30 March 2027 and states that DENOSA will not consider postgraduate applications received after that date.
Other DENOSA funding: travel grant and Old Mutual
DENOSA’s travel grant fund, started in 1975, helps nurses attend conferences and study tours abroad; apply through the same email address. DENOSA also promoted the Old Mutual Education Trust scholarship for members and their families, but that round for 2027 closed on 31 August 2026. For general queries, DENOSA lists info@denosa.org.za and 012 343 2315.
Nurses looking for full employer-linked funding can compare the Western Cape health bursary and read why Mediclinic has no 2027 intake. More options sit on our medical bursaries page.