Grow your botanical studies with the SAAB Scholarship 2025! If you’re pursuing Honours (4th year) or MSc in Botany or a related field at a recognised South African institution, this opportunity offered several bursaries plus free membership. The Honours/4th-year deadline was 31 March 2025, and for MSc 28 February 2025. At BursaryForms, we are your guide to success!

About the SAAB (South African Association of Botanists)

The SAAB is an association promoting and maintaining the status of the botany profession in South Africa and beyond. It connects academic, institutional, and research botanists, supports plant sciences disciplines, and offers scholarships to boost capacity in botanical research.

Fields Covered by the SAAB Scholarship

This scholarship supports students in these areas:

  • Botany (Plant Sciences) and related fields at Honours / 4th year level
  • MSc in Botany or related fields

Expenses Covered by the SAAB Scholarship

This scholarship offered these benefits:

  • Honours / 4th year bursary: R 15,000 for 1 year plus one-year complimentary SAAB student membership
  • MSc bursary: R 50,000 total (split as R 25,000 in first year, and R 25,000 in second year if satisfactory progress is made) plus two-year complimentary SAAB membership

Eligibility Requirements for the SAAB Scholarship

Here is what applicants needed to qualify:

  • Be a resident of a SADC country (Southern Africa) including South Africa
  • Be studying or intending to study at Honours/4th year or first year MSc level in Botany or a related field at a recognised institution in South Africa
  • Have graduated with an average of 70% or higher in relevant previous qualification(s)
  • For MSc applicants: must hold a BSc Honours with ≥ 70% average and be in first year of MSc study
  • Supervisor must be a paid-up SAAB member

We are supporting you at BursaryForms! Here are expert tips:

  • Ensure your academic transcripts are certified; if the final transcript isn’t available yet, submit current marks with confirmation from your course coordinator.
  • Include a research-motivation letter, especially a description of your proposed botanical research.
  • CV with at least two referees; supervisor’s motivation is required.
  • Make sure the supervisor is a paid-up SAAB member – applications missing that are disqualified.
  • Watch the deadline closely – late or incomplete applications are not accepted.

This page was updated on October 7, 2025 to provide the most current bursary information.

Indicate “www.bursaryforms.co.za” when asked how you heard about this bursary.

How to Apply for the SAAB Scholarship

You needed to apply via SAAB’s scholarship application form (online).

Required documents included:

  • Certified academic transcripts (or current marks with confirmation letter)
  • Curriculum Vitae with two referees
  • Motivation letter from you including proposed research interest
  • Letter of motivation from your supervisor

Related Bursaries in South Africa

Apply for multiple bursaries in South Africa to increase your chances of receiving funding this year.

Closing Date for the SAAB Scholarship

Honours / 4th Year Studies: 31 March 2025

MSc Studies: 28 February 2025

This deadline has passed—applications submitted after these dates were not accepted.

Contact the SAAB

Got questions? Reach out to the provider:

SAAB – South African Association of Botanists
Email: saabsecretary@gmail.com
Academic enquiries: Prof Kelsey Glennon, Wits University – kelsey.glennon@wits.ac.za
Website: SAAB / Botany South Africa (official botany association site)

Frequently Asked Questions

Click each question to see its answer about the SAAB Scholarship.

Who could apply for the SAAB Scholarship?+
SADEC residents or citizens (e.g., South Africa) who are studying Botany or related fields at Honours/4th year or MSc level, with a ≥ 70% average, at a recognised institution.
What average grade was needed?+
At least 70% overall in previous qualification(s).
Did the scholarship cover two years for MSc?+
Yes. The MSc scholarship is split R 25,000 in first year, and R 25,000 in second year if progress in first year is satisfactory.
Was supervisor membership required?+
Yes. The supervisor must be a paid-up SAAB member.
Did applicants receive SAAB membership?+
Yes. Honours/4th year awardees get 1 year complimentary membership; MSc recipients get 2 years membership.
What documents did I need to submit?+
You needed certified transcripts (or current marks with confirmation), CV with two referees, motivation letter, supervisor’s motivation.
Is the candidate supervisor required to be a SAAB member?+
Yes. The supervisor must be a paid-up member of SAAB.
Are applications accepted late?+
No. Late applications or missing documents lead to disqualification.
What was the closing date?+
Honours / 4th year: 31 March 2025; MSc: 28 February 2025
Who to contact for queries?+
Email: saabsecretary@gmail.com; Academic enquiries: Prof Kelsey Glennon (Wits), kelsey.glennon@wits.ac.za.

Before you apply for any bursary, make sure you have a clear plan. Download our comprehensive Bursary Application Checklist to stay organized, submit your documents correctly, and increase your chances of success.

Bursary Application Checklist