SAMRO Bursary 2025-2026
About SAMRO (Southern African Music Rights Organisation):
Founded in 1961, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is dedicated to safeguarding the intellectual property of musicians. It operates as an independently registered not-for-profit company representing over 12,000 musicians in Southern Africa. SAMRO is responsible for managing music education programs and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives within the SAMRO Group.
The SAMRO Foundation plays a significant role in sponsoring and conducting outreach programs in the Arts field. They offer some of the most substantial bursary and scholarship awards for music students in South Africa, with over R1 million awarded to music students in bursaries in 2017. Over the past 50 years, SAMRO has invested more than R100 million in the form of scholarships, bursaries, and commissions to support the cultural landscape, music heritage, and various industry enrichment projects in the country.
About the SAMRO Bursary Program:
SAMRO offers bursaries to students currently pursuing a diploma or degree qualification in Music (from their second year of study onwards). The bursaries are valued at R12,000 per applicant and cover tuition fees only.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the SAMRO bursary program, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- South African citizen, Swaziland citizen, Botswana citizen, or Lesotho citizen
- Completed Matric (Grade 12)
- Registered and studying at a recognized South African university
- Studying full-time (from the second year of study onwards) toward a Diploma or Degree majoring in music
Unfortunately, the following students are NOT eligible for this bursary:
- First-year university students
- Doctoral students
- Students in bridging programs or foundation programs
- Students studying at private tertiary institutes (e.g., Academy for Sound Engineering, AFDA, COPA, City Varsity, etc.)
- Students specializing in Music Therapy or Musical Theatre
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted online via the SAMRO Foundation website. Visit the SAMRO Foundation Bursaries page, select the “Application Form” tab on the left side of the screen, and follow the instructions for submission.
Supporting Documents:
When applying, you will need to upload clear copies of the following supporting documents:
- ID document (certified copy)
- Proof of university registration (on tertiary letterhead)
- Most recent tertiary exam results/academic record/transcript (on tertiary letterhead)
- Two reference letters from your current university lecturers (ensure they follow the Reference Letter Guidelines)
- For master’s students: synopsis of your thesis (maximum 5 to 8 pages) and a reference letter from your supervisor
- Please note that all communications and reference letters should be in English.
Closing Date:
The closing date for SAMRO bursary applications is 29 March. Ensure that you submit your application before the closing date to be considered.
Contact Information:
For any queries regarding this bursary program, please contact the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) directly:
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- Tel: 011 712 8417 / 011 712 8444
- Email: samrofoundation@samro.org.za
