South African Reserve Bank invites applications for full 2026 master’s scholarships in data science and machine learning

The South African Reserve Bank has opened applications for a full scholarship for the 2026 academic year for prospective Master’s students in data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, with specific reference to financial analytics. The initiative sits within the SARB’s External Bursary Scheme and is run in collaboration with the Data Science Academic Committee of the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Eligibility criteria include provisional acceptance into one of the identified Master’s programmes, selection of modules that include financial analytics topics, a relevant Honours degree with at least a 65% average, full-time study, South African citizenship and being under 35 years of age. The scholarship covers specified programmes at institutions including North-West University, the University of the Western Cape, a multi-university MSc (eScience) offering (including the University of the Witwatersrand and University of Pretoria), Stellenbosch University, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of Pretoria and the University of Cape Town. Applications must be submitted by 31 October 2025 and include examination results, proof of acceptance (student number) and supporting documents, using promo code SARBDSM26. Bursary holders must submit examination results by 31 December 2025, and shortlisted candidates may be interviewed, with successful applicants expected to sign an agreement with the SARB.