Tirisano Construction Fund Bursary 2026

About the Provider

The Tirisano Construction Fund Limited is a strategic initiative formed through a partnership between the South African government and major construction companies. The fund's primary purpose is to support growth and transformation in South Africa's construction industry by developing skills, supporting small and emerging contractors, and contributing to infrastructure development across the country.

The name 'Tirisano' reflects the collaborative nature of this initiative, bringing together public and private sector resources to address the critical skills shortage in the built environment. The construction sector is fundamental to South Africa's economic development, responsible for building the roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and infrastructure that enable all other economic activity.

The Tirisano Construction Fund bursary programme was designed specifically to support students pursuing careers in the built environment. By helping cover the cost of tertiary education, the fund opens doors for young South Africans who may not otherwise have access to these professional qualifications. The programme recognises that the construction industry needs a diverse, skilled workforce to meet the country's infrastructure development goals.

The bursary is administered by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), one of South Africa's leading development finance institutions. The IDC's involvement ensures professional management of the application process, transparent selection criteria, and efficient disbursement of funds to successful applicants.

The fund's investment in individual students contributes to building a stronger, more skilled, and more transformed workforce for the construction sector. In doing so, the Tirisano Construction Fund invests not only in individual futures but also in the long-term development of the industry and the country as a whole. The programme's preference for students from disadvantaged schools, communities, and rural areas ensures that transformation remains at the heart of its mission.

About the Program

The Tirisano Construction Fund Bursary is a government-industry partnership initiative designed to support students pursuing qualifications in the construction and built environment sector. The fund was formed between government and major construction companies with the aim of supporting growth and transformation in South Africa's construction industry.

Bursaries are available across fifteen specialised fields: Architecture, Building Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Information Systems and Informatics, Construction Management, Construction Project Management, Construction Studies, Electrical Engineering, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Mechanical Engineering, Property Valuation, Quantity Surveying, and Urban and Regional Planning. This comprehensive list covers virtually every discipline needed to plan, design, build, and manage South Africa's physical infrastructure.

The programme is administered by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which manages the application process and fund disbursement on behalf of the Tirisano Construction Fund. This institutional backing ensures professional management of the bursary programme and transparent selection processes.

Eligibility requirements include South African citizenship, being under 35 years old, a minimum APS score of 42 in Matric, a minimum 65% tertiary average, and a total family household income below R650 000 per annum. The income threshold ensures the bursary reaches students from middle and lower-income families who may not qualify for other forms of assistance.

Preference is given to students from disadvantaged schools, communities, and rural areas, ensuring the programme contributes to transformation and addresses historical inequalities in access to built environment professions. This targeting aligns with the fund's broader mission of transforming the construction industry to be more representative of South Africa's demographics.

The bursary programme contributes to building a stronger, more skilled workforce for the construction sector. By investing in individual students, the Tirisano Construction Fund invests in the long-term development of the industry and the country's infrastructure capacity.

Bursary Benefits

• Bursary funding for qualifications across 15 construction and built environment fields
• Support from a government-industry partnership committed to sector transformation
• Professional administration by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
• Career pathway into South Africa's growing construction and infrastructure sector
• Contribution to national development through skills in critical built environment disciplines
• Access to a transformed industry with strong demand for qualified professionals
• Support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds with preference given to rural and under-resourced communities

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be under 35 years old
• You must have completed Matric with a minimum APS score of 42
• You must be studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the 15 approved construction and built environment fields
• You must be studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
• You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% in your tertiary studies
• Your total family household income must be less than R650 000 per annum
• Preference is given to students from disadvantaged schools, communities, and rural areas

Required Documents

• ID document (certified copy)
• Matric certificate
• Mid-year (first semester) results or latest academic results
• Motivational letter (maximum 2 pages) supporting your application
• Parents or guardians proof of household income:
  • Latest payslips if employed
  • Affidavit if unemployed
  • Proof of company ownership if self-employed
  • Death certificate if parent is deceased
  • Divorce certificate or sworn affidavit if parents are divorced

How to Apply

1. Confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements: South African citizen, under 35, minimum APS of 42, minimum 65% tertiary average, household income below R650 000, and studying in an approved built environment field.
2. Visit the IDC Bursary Portal online (the IDC administers this bursary on behalf of the Tirisano Construction Fund).
3. Complete the online application form thoroughly.
4. Prepare all required supporting documents: certified ID, Matric certificate, mid-year or latest academic results, motivational letter (maximum 2 pages), and parents' proof of household income.
5. Write a motivational letter of no more than 2 pages explaining why you should be awarded the bursary and your commitment to the construction sector.
6. Gather proof of household income: payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, proof of company ownership if self-employed, death certificate if parent is deceased, or divorce certificate/sworn affidavit if parents are divorced.
7. Upload all documents to the portal.
8. Submit your application before the closing date of 5 May 2026.
9. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by telephone or email. If you do not receive feedback, consider your application unsuccessful.

Tips for Success

• Keep your motivational letter to 2 pages maximum — this is a stated requirement. Be concise and focused on why you deserve the bursary and your commitment to the construction sector.
• Calculate your household income accurately — the R650 000 threshold is for total family income. Include all sources of income for all household members.
• Verify your APS score — you need a minimum of 42 from Matric. Calculate this before applying to avoid wasting time on an ineligible application.
• Maintain your 65% tertiary average — this is the minimum threshold for your current studies.
• Highlight your disadvantaged background if applicable — preference is given to students from disadvantaged schools, communities, and rural areas.
• Provide complete income documentation — the requirements vary by employment status (payslips, affidavits, company ownership proof, death certificates, or divorce certificates).
• Apply through the IDC portal — this is the only accepted application method.
• Research the construction sector before writing your motivational letter. Demonstrate understanding of the industry and where you see yourself contributing.
• Apply before 5 May 2026 — late applications are not accepted.
• Check the official bursary call document on the UCT website for any additional details or updates to the programme.

Career Prospects

The construction and built environment sector is one of South Africa's most important economic drivers, responsible for building and maintaining the physical infrastructure that supports all other economic activity. Government infrastructure spending programmes, housing developments, and private sector investment create sustained demand for qualified professionals across all fifteen funded disciplines.

Career paths for Tirisano Construction Fund bursary graduates include:

• Civil engineering — designing roads, bridges, water systems, and major infrastructure projects
• Architecture — designing buildings, public facilities, and urban spaces
• Quantity surveying — managing costs, contracts, and procurement for construction projects
• Construction management — overseeing project delivery from planning through completion
• Electrical engineering — designing power systems for buildings and infrastructure
• Mechanical engineering — HVAC systems, industrial installations, and building services
• Chemical engineering — materials science, water treatment, and industrial processes
• Urban and regional planning — shaping cities and communities through land use planning
• Land surveying and geomatics — mapping, measurement, and spatial data for development
• Property valuation — assessing property values for development, finance, and government purposes
• Building sciences — research and development in construction materials and methods
• Construction project management — coordinating complex multi-disciplinary projects

South Africa's National Development Plan identifies infrastructure investment as a key driver of economic growth, ensuring continued demand for built environment professionals. The transformation imperative in the construction sector means that graduates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly sought after by companies seeking to meet their B-BBEE targets.

Professional registration (as a Professional Engineer, Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Planner, or Land Surveyor) is achievable through structured post-graduation experience and significantly enhances career prospects and earning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fields of study are covered?

Fifteen fields: Architecture, Building Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Information Systems, Construction Management, Construction Project Management, Construction Studies, Electrical Engineering, Geomatics, Land Surveying, Mechanical Engineering, Property Valuation, Quantity Surveying, and Urban & Regional Planning.

Who administers this bursary?

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) acts as the administrator for the Tirisano Construction Fund bursary programme.

What is the income threshold?

Total family household income must be less than R650 000 per annum.

What APS score do I need?

A minimum APS score of 42 in Matric is required, plus a minimum 65% average in your tertiary studies.

Who gets preference?

Preference is given to students from disadvantaged schools, communities, and rural areas.

What is the age limit?

Applicants must be under 35 years old.

Is there a work-back obligation?

The source information does not specify a formal work-back obligation for this bursary.

What is the Tirisano Construction Fund?

An initiative formed between government and major construction companies to support growth and transformation in South Africa's construction industry through skills development and bursary funding.

Applications Closing

Applications close on 5 May 2026. Submit through the IDC Bursary Portal before this date.

About the Organization

IDC (administrators) Email: sabelog@idc.co.za Tel: 011 269 3517