BLOCK INSTITUTIONAL BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
BLOCK INSTITUTIONAL BURSARY: With great pleasure, the National Arts Council announces the bursary application period for the January 2026 academic year. The purpose of the bursary financing is to assist aspiring artists in obtaining pertinent degrees and a foundation of knowledge and abilities connected to the arts.
These bursaries support students in theater, dance, crafts, literature, music, visual arts, and other arts-related professions by paying for their tuition as well as possibly housing, books, travel, or subsistence. Results will be released by January 30, 2026, after applications end on December 19, 2025. Results: January 30, 2026
Bursary support is a crucial component of the arts’ development to guarantee excellence. The NAC provides grants for bursaries to enable students, art practitioners, art technicians, arts administrators, and other professionals in the sector develop their talent by supporting the provision of training and education. This guarantees a steady supply of gifted leaders and artists in South Africa.
The invitation is extended to accredited educational and training establishments that do research or offer instruction in the areas of theater, dance, crafts, literature, multidisciplinary, music, visual arts, cultural policy, arts and culture management, and any course pertaining to the arts.
Block institutional bursaries for undergraduate students planning to study in South Africa in 2026 are the recipients of this invitation.
Subject to the successful completion of each academic year, funding-seeking institutions must provide undergraduate students with support for the duration of their studies. To satisfy this criteria, institutions should be ready to sign a service level agreement with the NAC.
Encourage artistic greatness, Create a long-term reservoir of talented artists and leaders in the arts, Encourage educational programs and training in a variety of artistic fields, Institutions that fund students enrolled in South African Higher Education or Further Education and Training institutions receive bursaries.
Application Closing date: 19 December 2025 at 11h59
Results at 30 January 2026
Please be aware that incomplete or late applications will not be accepted, and there will be no exceptions. Candidates must register and fill out the online application at https://nac.praxisgms.co.za/. Please email Ms. Thola Phetla at Thola@nac.org.za for additional information.
Students who qualify:
The only people who can apply are nationals of South Africa.
Undergraduates enrolled in South African universities in 2026 are required.
Institutions submit applications on their behalf; individuals are unable to apply directly. The National Arts Council, PO Box 500, Newtown, 2113
Enter these link to download 👇Download Advert Download Funding GuidelinesFor more information, visit NAC .
Commonly Asked Questions (FAQ) Based on the “BLOCK INSTITUTIONAL BURSARY APPLICATIONS – 2026 ACADEMIC YEAR” by the National Arts Council (NAC) in South Africa, here are the answers:
How long does it take to receive bursary money?
The NAC will announce the outcomes of the block institutional bursary applications by 30 January 2026. Before any payments are made, the institution (university or training institution) must sign a grant agreement with NAC and provide a list of the student recipients (with IDs, addresses, proof of registration, etc.). Also, the institution must send half-yearly progress reports and student fee statements to NAC.
Because the funds go to institutions (not directly to students), the timing of when you personally receive the money (tuition, accommodation, etc.) depends on how quickly your institution disburses its portion after getting NAC funding.
When to apply for bursaries for 2026?
For this block bursary, the closing date for applications is 19 December 2025 at 11:59. The outcomes are expected by 30 January 2026. In general (for other bursaries), many bursary programmes for 2026 open between February and October 2025, according to bursary-finder sources.
What are the requirements to apply for this block bursary?
Because this is a block institutional bursary, institutions (not individual students) apply to NAC on behalf of students. Here are the key requirements:
Eligible institutions: Registered education or training institutions in South Africa that offer arts-related courses (theatre, dance, crafts, literature, music, visual arts, arts management, etc.).
The institution must provide:
Course details + fee structure.
Proof of its registration / accreditation.
Bank account details.
Annual audited financial statements.
Tax clearance certificate.
The list of names of the bursary committee + their selection criteria.
For students nominated: certified copy of ID, proof of registration, academic results, addresses.
After approval: Institutions must sign a grant agreement, and they must give NAC a list of the specific student recipients (with their details).
Institutions also must submit half-yearly progress reports on the students and their fee statements.
Student requirement: The students must be South African citizens and undergraduates in 2026.
Where do I apply for this BLOCK INSTITUTIONAL BURSARY?
You (as a student) do not apply directly to NAC for this block bursary. Instead, your institution (university or training institution) applies on your behalf.
The application is done online via the NAC Grant Management System (GMS).
NAC has funding guidelines (in a PDF) which outline exactly what documentation the institution must submit.
Who is eligible to apply for the BLOCK INSTITUTIONAL BURSARY? Undergraduate courses in the arts are offered by accredited South African educational and training institutions.
Are students able to apply directly? No, schools apply for bursaries on behalf of their students.
What expenses are covered by the bursary? primarily tuition, but if funds are already available from other sources, it may also cover books, lodging, travel, or subsistence.
When is the deadline for applications? December 19, 2025.
When will the announcement of funding decisions take place? by January 30, 2026.
Can an institution get funding more than once in a fiscal year? No, funding is only available to institutions once every fiscal year. For this BLOCK INSTITUTIONAL BURSARY
