About the Southern African Transport Conference
The Southern African Transport Conference, or SATC, is the main yearly gathering for transport people in the region. It brings together government officials, academics, private companies and civil society. The 2026 edition is the 44th and takes place at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. More than 800 professionals normally attend.
SATC is a non-profit body. The national Department of Transport endorses it, and the Minister serves as patron. Each conference has a theme. The 2026 theme looks at how to build and sustain transport systems in an uncertain world. Papers, workshops and student contests fill the programme.
How SATC supports students
The SATC bursary is aimed at postgraduate researchers. It supports full-time Master's and Doctoral students whose work relates to transport at a South African university. The conference funds this because it depends on a steady flow of new researchers, engineers and policy thinkers. Today's students become tomorrow's authors and presenters.
The award is worth up to R170 000 a year. It is paid in two instalments, roughly half early in the year and half around mid-year. The money goes to the student's university. It can be renewed from year to year if the student shows satisfactory academic progress. For a postgraduate student, this is a significant sum that can cover a large part of fees and research costs.
Recent calls have been open to South African and SADC citizens. That makes it useful for regional students who study in South Africa. SATC also runs a student essay competition and names student winners each year, which gives young researchers a public platform.
What to know before applying
You must already be admitted to a relevant Master's or Doctoral programme. Holding another bursary or sponsorship may disqualify you, so read the rules closely. Published calls ask for a completed form, certified copies of your qualifications, your academic record and, where it applies, proof of professional membership. Deadlines differ each year, so check the SATC website for the latest call.
Postgraduate research in transport can cover many topics, for example road safety, public transport, freight logistics, traffic engineering and infrastructure planning. Choose a topic that fits the needs of the region, and show clearly in your application how it could improve the way people and goods move. Presenting your work at SATC itself can also open doors to future employers and supervisors.
The bursary is a research grant, not an employment contract. SATC does not tie you to a job. However, past calls state that funds may have to be repaid, with interest, if a student does not complete the studies. Confirm the current terms in the official guidelines. SATC lists info@satc.org.za for queries.
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