Hey future postgraduate rockstars! Are you dreaming of a Masters or Doctorate degree but feeling the financial squeeze? Well, you’re in the right place! Let’s talk about an incredible opportunity that could help make your academic dreams a reality: the **Ernst & Ethel Eriksen Trust Bursary** for the 2026 academic year!
Since 1981, the Ernst & Ethel Eriksen Trust has been a game-changer for South African postgraduate students, thanks to its visionary founder, Ethel Eriksen. This trust is all about empowering bright minds like yours to pursue higher education. They provide crucial financial support, helping students tackle the costs of their Masters and Doctorate qualifications. Think of it as a fantastic boost to help you focus on your studies and less on the fees!
Who Can Apply?
Wondering if this bursary is for you? Check out these essential criteria. Make sure you tick all the boxes, because incomplete applications get left behind!
- You must be a proud South African citizen.
- You need to have successfully completed an Honours degree.
- You must be studying, or planning to study, towards a Postgraduate (Masters or Doctorate) qualification.
- You need to be registered or accepted to study at a recognised university in South Africa.
- A strong academic record is a must-have!
- You should be able to cover any remaining study fees not covered by this bursary, either by yourself or with other funding.
What Does It Cover?
The Ernst & Ethel Eriksen Trust understands that every bit of financial support helps. This bursary offers **partial funding**, providing up to a maximum of **R20 000 per annum**. The best part? This amount is paid directly to your university, taking some of the financial pressure off your shoulders as you pursue your Masters or Doctorate studies. It’s a solid helping hand to ensure you can reach your academic goals!
How to Apply?
Ready to jump into action? The application process is done completely online, so grab your laptop and let’s get started!
- Head over to the official application portal: Ernst & Ethel Eriksen Trust Bursary Application 2026.
- First-time applicant? You’ll need to Register an Account. Once that’s done, you can easily Login to begin your application.
- The application has 6 steps. Don’t worry, you can save your progress and come back to it whenever you need to, but remember to submit everything before the closing date!
- Once you hit ‘submit’, you won’t be able to make any changes, so double-check everything carefully.
- Ensure you’re using Internet Explorer version 9 or higher, Chrome, or Firefox for the best experience.
Required Supporting Documents:
Don’t forget these crucial documents! Make sure you submit clear, certified copies where specified, otherwise, your application might not be considered:
- Your ID document (certified copy).
- Your latest university academic results (certified copy).
- Proof of university application if you’ve applied but aren’t yet accepted (on university letterhead).
- Proof of university acceptance if you’ve already been accepted (on university letterhead).
- A detailed breakdown of your estimated income and expenditure, and the total amount you’re applying for.
- **Three thought-provoking essays (maximum 1000 words each):**
- **Essay 1:** Tell them about yourself – your family, your current circumstances, three words that describe you, how your friends see you, your passion, and your biggest strengths and weaknesses.
- **Essay 2:** Share your achievements since Matric and at university level. Include any community service, committees, organisations you’re part of, leadership roles you’ve held (and their impact), and why you chose your field of study.
- **Essay 3:** Dive into your future study plans and your dreams for the future, including how you envision South Africa in the next decade.
- Two academic references – these need to be on the official EE Trust Reference Form.
Closing Date:
Mark your calendars! The deadline for the Ernst & Ethel Eriksen Trust Bursary 2026 is **30 September 2025**. Make sure your application is submitted well before this date to ensure it’s considered!
Need to Chat?
Got questions? Feel free to reach out to the Ernst & Ethel Eriksen Trust directly:
- Email: eeetrust@eject.co.za
- Contact page: http://www.eriksentrust.co.za/ContactUs/tabid/60/Default.aspx
Ready to make your postgraduate dreams a reality? This bursary could be exactly what you need to kickstart your Masters or Doctorate. Don’t miss out – apply now and remember to keep exploring more amazing funding opportunities right here on Bursaries Room!