Are you a student in surveying, geomatics, or a related field? Do you dream of participating in a global conversation on sustainable development, innovation, and land governance?
To support student participation, the FIG2026 Student Support Programme will offer a limited number of funding awards for eligible students who would otherwise be unable to attend due to financial constraints. Funding may cover:
- Full conference registration,
- Registration and local travel, or
- Registration and international travel (note: international travel awards are extremely limited)
Key Dates to Note
- Applications open: 15 September 2025
- Applications close: 15 November 2025
- Announcement of successful recipients: 15 December 2025
- Early bird registration closes: 30 January 2026
Now is the time to prepare!
To be considered for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate financial need and confirm that attendance at FIG2026 would not be possible without this support.
- Be a full-time student currently enrolled at a recognised university or tertiary education institution at the time of the congress.
- Be under the age of 35 at the time of the congress.
- Be pursuing a field of study aligned with the disciplines of surveying or geomatics, as defined by FIG.
- Be engaged in academic research or professional work that contributes meaningfully to the theme and objectives of FIG2026, or aligns with the goals and priorities set out by the sponsoring organisation.
- Have submitted an abstract for FIG2026, which must be accepted by the technical committee prior to the award of funding.
- Obtain a formal letter of support from an academic advisor or supervisor active in the field of surveying or geomatics.
- Be proficient in English, with the ability to fully engage in technical sessions and networking activities.
- Be willing and available to actively participate in conference sessions, workshops, networking events, and other engagements as required by the organiser or sponsor.
While the programme opens in September, students are encouraged to register early for the congress (by 30 January 2026) to benefit from early bird rates, even if you are waiting to receive a funding award, these savings are significant!
Keep an eye on our newsletter and/or our socials for the official call for applications and updates.
Additional Student Funding Sources
You are encouraged to supplement your FIG2026 application with applications for support from
these reputable funding bodies as funds for the awards will be very limited:
- FIG Foundation
Supports students and young surveyors to attend FIG events. Be on the lookout for announcements.
https://www.fig.net/figfoundation/ - Aubrey Barker Fund
Offers travel grants for students and young professionals attending international surveying-related events.
https://www.aubreybarkergrants.org.uk - Geoinformatics Development Fund
Financially supports attendance of recognized conferences in the fields of cartography and geographic information science
https://gissa.org.za/education/bursaries/GEOINFORMATICS_DEVELOPMENT_FUND.doc/view - ISPRS Foundation
Travel grants and awards for students attending photogrammetry and remote sensing-related events.
https://www.isprs.org/foundation/ - Royal Geographical Society
Travel grants for students attending international conferences.
https://www.rgs.org/research - NRF – National Research Foundation (South Africa)
Offers student travel and conference grants for South African postgraduates.
https://www.nrf.ac.za/funding/
How to Apply for NRF Travel Grants to Attend FIG2026
South African students hoping to attend the FIG2026 Congress in Cape Town are encouraged to apply for NRF travel funding to supplement their participation. The National Research Foundation (NRF) provides financial support for postgraduate students to attend local and international conferences, provided the event aligns with their field of study and research goals.
Who is eligible?
- South African citizens or permanent residents
- Postgraduate students (Honours, Master’s, or PhD) currently registered at a public South African university
- Applicants whose research or academic work aligns with surveying, geomatics, geospatial sciences, or the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
What you’ll need:
- An abstract submitted (and preferably accepted) for FIG2026
- A motivational letter explaining why attending the conference is beneficial to your research
- A letter of support from your supervisor or academic advisor
- A conference invitation or confirmation of acceptance
- A detailed budget and travel plan
- Proof of registration at your institution
When and how to apply:
- Visit the NRF Online Submission System: https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za
- Create or log into your NRF Connect account
- Look for the relevant Travel Grant or Conference Presentation funding opportunity
- Complete and submit your application well in advance—NRF requires applications to be submitted at least 3 months before the conference date
- Ensure all supporting documents are uploaded and your institutional research office is aware of the submission
Important Tips:
- Begin the application process as soon as your abstract is submitted
- Reach out to your university’s research office for internal deadlines and guidance, they often manage the submission and validation process
- Funding is not guaranteed, so also apply to other sources (e.g., FIG Foundation, Aubrey Barker Fund)
For further details and to check for open calls, visit the NRF website:
https://www.nrf.ac.za/funding/
Geoinformatics Development Fund (GDF) Opportunities
Postgraduate Bursary for Research in Cartography and Geospatial Information Science
Are you a South African citizen or permanent resident pursuing postgraduate studies in cartography or geospatial information science?
The Geoinformatics Development Foundation (GDF) offers bursaries to support Honours, Masters, and Doctoral research in these fields. Applicants must be enrolled (or planning to enrol) at a recognised South African university or university of technology. In special cases, registration at a foreign university may be permitted, provided the research cannot be completed locally.
Funding includes:
- Academic registration fees
- Fees for the research module only
- Direct research expenses
Key Requirements:
- Research must contribute to the advancement of cartography or geospatial information science
- Acknowledge GDF support in all outputs
- Submit progress reports and publications
- Recipients must commit to applying their knowledge in South Africa (if studying abroad)
Deadline to apply: 30 November (for studies in the following year)
Apply by emailing the completed application form to admin@geodevfund.co.za
Download the application for here