SAE X CTIAF Animation Bursary 2026

Terms and Conditions

1. Promoters

The SAE X CTIAF Animation Bursary 2026 (the “Bursary”) is presented by SAE Institute South Africa in partnership with the Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF).

By submitting an application for the Bursary, applicants acknowledge and accept these Terms and Conditions.

2. Purpose

SAE Institute and the Cape Town International Animation Festival have partnered to support the next generation of animators. In 2026, SAE Institute will award a full bursary to the winner of the Higher School Animation category.

The SAE Institute X CTIAF Animation Bursary supports talented South African students pursuing careers in animation production. The Bursary is awarded primarily on merit, with strong emphasis on exceptional animation talent and creative potential, rather than solely on financial need.

The Bursary is available exclusively for studies at the SAE Institute Cape Town Campus.

3. Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:

Be a South African citizen with a valid South African ID.
Be currently completing Grade 12 in 2026 and be able to commence studies in 2027, or have already completed Matric.
Grade 12 learners may apply using their latest available Grade 12 results.
Achieve a Bachelor’s Pass before the Bursary is awarded.
Enter the Cape Town International Animation Festival High School Award and be the winner of the Higher School Animation category.
Demonstrate strong academic performance.
Register and study as a full-time student.
Meet SAE Institute’s admission requirements and all applicable academic and administrative requirements.

4. Application Deadline

Applications close on 25 September 2026 at 23:59 (SAST). Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Grade 12 learners may apply using their latest available results. Any award is conditional upon the applicant achieving a Bachelor’s Pass and meeting SAE Institute’s admission requirements.

5. How to Apply

Applicants must:

Enter the Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF) High School Competition
Submit all required supporting documentation by the application deadline.
Ensure that all information and supporting documents submitted are accurate, complete and truthful.
Be available for an interview with the SAE faculty if shortlisted or requested to do so.

Late, incomplete, misleading or fraudulent applications may be disqualified and will not be considered.

6. Required Supporting Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents:

Acceptance Letter from SAE Institute South Africa for the Cape Town Campus.
Latest highest qualification, being either a Matric Certificate or the applicant’s latest available Grade 12 results.
A certified copy of a valid South African ID, certified within the last six months.
A short introduction video explaining why the applicant should be awarded the Bursary and confirming the applicant’s availability for an interview with the SAE faculty.

7. Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed primarily on merit, animation talent and creative potential. The selection process may consider:

Exceptional animation talent and creative potential.
Motivation, commitment and demonstrated potential to pursue a career in animation.
Performance and standing within the Cape Town International Animation Festival High School Award, including confirmation of the winner of the Higher School Animation category.
The applicant’s interview, where applicable, and overall suitability for the relevant SAE programme.

Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged South African students, while maintaining the primary emphasis on creative merit and animation talent.

The final decision regarding the award of the Bursary rests with the appointed selection CITAF panel and/or SAE Institute and is final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the final decision.

8. Animation Submission

A strong portfolio is a key factor in the selection process and applicants are strongly encouraged to submit examples of work that demonstrate their animation ability and creative potential.

Portfolio material may include, but is not limited to:

Character designs
Illustrations
Concept art
Storyboards
2D animation
3D animation
Motion graphics
Sketchbook work
Any other original work demonstrating animation ability and creative potential

9. Prize

One eligible applicant will be awarded up to a full SAE Institute bursary for the relevant animation programme at the SAE Institute Cape Town Campus, subject to the terms of the award and SAE Institute’s admission requirements.

The Bursary:

Is available exclusively at the SAE Institute Cape Town Campus.
Is not transferable.
Cannot be exchanged for cash.
Cannot be sold or assigned.
Is subject to SAE Institute’s admission policies, academic regulations and applicable enrolment requirements.
Is conditional upon the recipient achieving a Bachelor’s Pass, where applicable, and meeting all relevant SAE Institute admission requirements.*

*Should the recipient achieve a Higher Certificate Pass instead, SAE Institute may, at its discretion, consider awarding the recipient a bursary for the relevant Higher Certificate programme, subject to the recipient meeting all applicable admission requirements.

10. Additional Costs

Unless expressly confirmed in writing as part of the Bursary award, the Bursary does not include:

Accommodation
Transport
Meals
Visa costs
Personal equipment
Study materials
Living expenses
Any other personal or incidental costs

Any additional costs remain the responsibility of the Bursary recipient.

11. Intellectual Property

Applicants retain ownership of their original creative work and portfolio submissions.

By applying, applicants grant SAE Institute and CTIAF a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use submitted material for the purposes of assessing applications and administering the Bursary.

SAE Institute and CTIAF may also use excerpts, images, names, recordings and other non-confidential material relating to the Bursary or award for reasonable promotional, publicity and reporting purposes across print, digital and social media.

No commercial exploitation of an applicant’s work will occur without separate written agreement.

12. Publicity

The successful recipient agrees to participate in reasonable publicity, interviews, photography and video recording relating to the Bursary, SAE Institute and/or CTIAF without additional compensation, where reasonably requested.

13. Personal Information

Personal information collected in connection with the Bursary will be processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA), and used for purposes relating to the administration, assessment and promotion of the Bursary and associated award activities.

14. Disqualification

SAE Institute and CTIAF reserve the right to disqualify any applicant who:

Provides false, misleading or incomplete information.
Submits plagiarised or non-original work as their own.
Attempts to manipulate the application, selection or award process.
Fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions.
Fails to meet the stated eligibility or admission requirements.
Behaves in a manner that brings the Bursary, SAE Institute or CTIAF into disrepute.

15. Changes or Cancellation

SAE Institute and CTIAF reserve the right to amend, suspend or cancel the Bursary, or amend these Terms and Conditions, should circumstances beyond their reasonable control make this necessary.

16. Limitation of Liability

SAE Institute and CTIAF shall not be liable for:

Lost, delayed, incomplete or misdirected applications or supporting documentation.
Technical failures affecting the submission of applications.
Any costs incurred by an applicant in preparing or submitting an application.
Any loss, damage or injury arising from participation in the application or selection process, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.