Impembelelo Trust Bursary 2026 – Closing Date: 15 September 2025

Hey future leaders and innovators! Are you dreaming of making a real impact in South Africa, especially in fields like engineering, environmental science, or economics? Then you absolutely need to hear about the Impembelelo Trust Bursary 2026! This incredible opportunity is designed to support passionate students like you who are ready to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing challenges. Let’s dive in and see how this bursary can help you achieve your academic and career goals!

So, what exactly is the Impembelelo Trust Bursary all about? It’s a fantastic initiative by the Impembelelo Trust, an organization dedicated to empowering South Africa’s youth through education. They believe that investing in your higher studies, especially in crucial areas like sciences, engineering, sustainability, and the built environment, is key to building a brighter future for everyone. By providing financial support, they’re not just funding your education; they’re helping to bridge the skills gap in vital sectors and nurturing a new generation of creative, critical thinkers. Plus, successful applicants get a unique chance to connect with the Carbon Trust, a global climate consultancy, offering real-world exposure to meaningful work in sustainability. How cool is that?

Who Can Apply?

Think this bursary sounds like a perfect fit? Here’s who the Impembelelo Trust is looking for:

You must be a South African citizen or a permanent resident.
You need to be between 18 and 30 years old.
You must be currently studying, or planning to study full-time, towards a postgraduate degree (Honours, Masters, or Doctoral) in one of these amazing fields:
- Economics
- Engineering
- Environmental Law
- Environmental Science
- Natural Sciences
You should have rocked your 2024/25 academic year with a minimum average of 70%.
You must be studying, or accepted to study, at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution right here in South Africa.
Your field of study should aim to contribute to the growth of the sustainability management and consultancy sector – they’re looking for world-changers!
You must be from a historically disadvantaged group, as defined by the B-BBEE Act (African, Coloured, or Indian).
For Full Cost of Study (FCS) applicants: You need to be in financial need (with a combined household income of NOT more than R350 000 per annum), OR living with a disability, OR have an absolutely exceptional academic record.
Students with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply!

What Does It Cover?

The Impembelelo Trust Bursary aims to give you the support you need, offering either a Full Cost of Study (FCS) bursary or a Partial Cost of Study (PCS) bursary. This means they’ll help cover your educational expenses!

Registration fees and your first term study fees will be paid directly to your university or college once they send an official invoice.

Just a heads-up: This bursary won’t cover any outstanding fees or existing loans you might have from previous years.

How to Apply?

Ready to jump in? Applying for the Impembelelo Trust Bursary is straightforward. Here’s what you need to do:

Submit your application online directly via their portal: Apply for the Impembelelo Trust Bursary 2026 here!

Important Tip: When you’re filling out the application, make sure to clearly state the exact name of your qualification, the name of your tertiary institution, and the precise start and end dates of your study programme.
Along with your online application, you’ll need to submit clear copies of the following supporting documents. Don’t skip any of these – they’re super important and missing items could mean your application gets disqualified:
- Your certified ID document.
- A clear head and shoulder photo of yourself.
- Your full academic transcript for 2025, including your latest available results.
- Proof of your residential address.
- A financial breakdown of the required funds for your course from your institution.
- A motivational letter (around 500 words) explaining why you need this bursary and how your qualification will positively contribute to South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030. (Need help? Check out our tips on how to write a winning bursary motivational letter!)
- Two reference letters from lecturers or educational alumni/student body members as a character reference. (Get expert advice on how to get a great letter of reference/testimonial for your bursary application!)
- Proof of household income from your parents or guardians. This depends on their situation:
  - If employed: their latest salary or wage slips.
  - If unemployed: an affidavit confirming unemployment.
  - If self-employed: an affidavit confirming self-employment.
  - If a business owner: your most recent audited financial statement or 3 months’ most recent bank statements.
  - If receiving a SASSA grant: a letter stating the grants received.
  - If deceased: death certificates.
  - If receiving child support: a court letter stating the child support amounts.
- If you, the applicant, are employed: proof of income, proof of employer, and 3 months’ bank statements.

Heads-up on the selection process: You’ll get email updates on your application’s progress. All applications will be screened by the end of September 2025. If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be contacted for an in-person interview by the end of November 2025. If you don’t hear back by then, please consider your application unsuccessful.

So, if this sounds like the perfect bursary to kickstart your dreams, don’t wait! The closing date is 15 September 2025 at 17:00 SAST. Make sure you get your application in before then to be considered. Your future self will thank you!

For any burning questions, you can reach out to the Impembelelo Trust directly via their contact page: Contact the Impembelelo Trust here.

If this sounds like the right bursary for you, don’t wait — apply now and explore more amazing bursaries on Bursaries Room!