About MISA
The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent, known as MISA, is a national government component. It sits under the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Its mandate is to give technical advice and support to municipalities, so that they plan, build, run and maintain infrastructure well. MISA celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2023. Many municipalities struggle to keep roads, water systems and other services working. A big reason is a shortage of trained engineers, planners and project managers. MISA deploys technical experts to help, but it also invests in the next generation of professionals.
How MISA supports students
The agency runs a technical bursary programme for South African students in built environment fields. The aim is to grow engineers, planners and infrastructure specialists who can later work in local government and related sectors.
Recent adverts list five study areas: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Project and Construction Management, Urban and Regional Planning, and Environmental Management. Qualifications are mainly at National Diploma and degree level. For civil and electrical engineering, N2 to N6 programmes have also been mentioned. Reports on past rounds say the funding can cover registration and tuition fees, prescribed books and materials, accommodation and meals. However, each year's advert sets the exact terms, so rely on the current version. MISA says it gives preference to certain groups. These include rural applicants, households earning below R600,000 a year, previously disadvantaged people and students with disabilities. Even so, any qualifying South African citizen may apply.
What to know before applying
Applicants may be matriculants who meet the entry requirements or students in their first to fourth year of study. Past adverts asked matriculants for a C symbol in Mathematics and Physical Science, and for admission or registration at a tertiary institution. You will normally need a certified ID copy, your matric certificate, academic results, proof of registration, proof of residence and household income documents.
MISA usually opens applications early in the calendar year for the following academic year. In the 2026 round, for example, the closing date was 7 March. Applicants sent one combined PDF by email, and late, posted or hand-delivered applications were not accepted. New dates and email addresses appear with each advert, so check the MISA website at misa.gov.za under bursaries.
The public advert does not spell out a work-back or service obligation. If you are offered funding, read the contract closely and ask MISA what it expects of you after you graduate. Finally, apply early and double-check every document before you send the file. Remember to apply for admission at your chosen university at the same time, because the bursary depends on being admitted or registered.
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