Cipla South Africa invites students at public universities to apply for the Cipla SA Bursary Programme 2026. Funding is available for priority fields linked to Cipla’s graduate skills needs.
Cipla Africa has opened applications for the Cipla South Africa Bursary Programme 2026, a funding initiative aimed at supporting high-performing students from diverse backgrounds who are studying scarce and critical skills aligned to Cipla’s future talent requirements.
The bursary is available to students registered at accredited public tertiary institutions in South Africa and forms part of Cipla’s broader commitment to skills development, transformation, and long-term talent pipeline growth within the pharmaceutical and related sectors.
About the Cipla SA Bursary Programme 2026
The Cipla SA Bursary Programme is designed to widen access to higher education by providing relevant, career-aligned financial support to students whose qualifications match Cipla’s Graduate Skills Programme requirements.
In addition to financial support, bursary recipients may be required to participate in vacation work (vacwork) during specified academic breaks. This workplace exposure allows students to gain real industry experience and begin translating academic knowledge into practical, job-ready skills.
Funding is awarded on a once-off annual basis and is reviewed each year, subject to academic performance.
Who Cipla Is Looking For
Cipla is seeking students who demonstrate:
- Strong academic performance with a minimum 70% average each year
- High levels of motivation, resilience, and adaptability
- Willingness to learn, collaborate, innovate, and grow
- Openness to participating in Cipla vacwork programmes
- Interest in applying to the Cipla Graduate Skills Programme after graduation
The bursary targets students who are not only academically capable but also aligned with Cipla’s values and future workforce needs.
Fields of Study Funded
The bursary committee prioritises fields linked to Cipla’s current and future scarce skills requirements. These include:
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Engineering
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Graphic Design
- Health Sciences
- Human Sciences, Industrial Psychology, and Human Resources
- Manufacturing (Logistics, Demand Planning, Production, Warehousing)
- Natural Sciences
- Pharmacy (Pharmacists)
- Social Sciences, with focus on Digital Marketing and Communications
- Supply Chain Management
Only students studying in the listed fields will be considered.
Application Guidelines and Important Conditions
Applicants must carefully follow all application requirements. Failure to comply may result in automatic disqualification.
Key guidelines include:
- Applications are accepted online only via the Cipla careers portal
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
- Applicants must submit documents in PDF format, including:
- A single-page CV with a photo
- Contact details (email and phone number)
- South African ID number
- Funding requests must be supported by valid invoices, statements, or quotations
- For private accommodation, a lease agreement or landlord affidavit is required
- Approved bursary funds are paid directly to the institution, not to the student
- Funding is granted once per academic year and finalised by 30 March
- Continued funding is dependent on maintaining a minimum 70% academic average
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How the Funding Works
Once approved:
- Cipla credits the bursary amount directly to the student’s institutional account
- No additional funding requests will be accepted after approval
- Funding does not roll over and must be used within the approved academic year
This structure ensures accountability and alignment with academic progress.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through Cipla’s official online recruitment platform.
Applications submitted through any other method will not be accepted.
Conclusion
The Cipla SA Bursary Programme 2026 is a strong opportunity for academically driven students studying scarce and high-impact qualifications at public institutions. Beyond financial support, the programme offers early exposure to the pharmaceutical industry through vacation work and a clear pathway into Cipla’s graduate development ecosystem.
Students who meet the academic requirements, align with Cipla’s priority skills areas, and are serious about building a future-focused career are encouraged to apply early through the official Cipla careers portal.
