Public/Private Bursaries

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – MMEG

Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG) is a non-profit, public charity that has been established since 1981. MMEG supports and empowers women from developing countries by providing them with education grants, aiding them in establishing their personal future and the future of their country.

The organization draws its inspiration from Margaret McNamara, who had a goal of promoting education and gender equality. Margaret was the wife of the World Bank’s 5th President and used her influence to be an advocate for these elements of development programs. Before her death, Margaret received the highest civilian distinction in the United States, the Medal of Honour, in recognition of her important contributions.
 

ABOUT THE MMEG BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

MMEG is inviting female students from South Africa, to apply for their bursary award for the 2026 academic year.

The award covers ALL fields of study, towards a Certificate, Undergraduate, Graduate or Post Doctorate qualification, at selected Universities. (female students from other countries may also apply if their country is on the MMEG Country Eligibility List).

The goal of the MMEG grant is to help women from developing countries, in order that they may further their studies and thereby improve the lives of women and children in these countries. MMEG is one of the few organizations that provides financial assistance and bursaries, specifically to women.

www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the MMEG Bursary.
 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

• View our other Bursaries and Scholarships for females here.
• View our other International Bursaries and Scholarships here.
• View our other Bursaries and Scholarships OPEN for application here.

MORE ABOUT THE MMEG BURSARY PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE & SELECTION

MMEG provides a grant of up to US$7 000 (approximately R126 000), however grants may vary depending on the availability of funds and exchange rates. The grant funds will be awarded in February 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a telephonic interview within 2 to 3 months after the application deadline. Results will be announced in December 2025, on the MMEG website.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MMEG BURSARY

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African national (nationals from the following countries may also apply: MMEG Country Eligibility List)
• You must have a study permit for South Africa, if applying from an eligible country other than South Africa
• You must identify as a woman/ female
• You must be 25 years old or older at the time of the application deadline
• You must officially enrolled to study towards a Certificate, Undergraduate qualification, Graduate qualification or Post Doctorate studies
• You must be registered for in-person studies, at one of the following accredited Universities in South Africa: Cape Peninsula of Technology, Central University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Fort Hare University, Limpopo University, Nelson Mandela University, North-West University, Rhodes University, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, Sol Plaatje University, Stellenbosch University, Tshwane University, University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Mpumalanga, University of Pretoria, University of the Free State, University of the Western Cape, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Venda, University of Zululand, Vaal University of Technology, Walter Sisulu University
• You must be enrolled full time or part time (with at least 2 courses per semester or term)
• You must aim to be fully enrolled for a complete academic term after receiving the bursary
• You must be enrolled for at least 1 more academic term after the award of the MMEG grant in December (between January and July 2026)
• You must plan to graduate not more than 3 years after receiving the bursary
• You must NOT be related to any International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, or Inter-American Development Bank staff member, spouse, retiree, or MMEG Board member

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE MMEG BURSARY

Applications must be submitted online at: MMEG Bursary Application 2026
(select “South Africa program” in the first question of the application).

Applicants will be required to Register an Account before they can Login and apply.

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the MMEG bursary.
 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document with photo (if a South African citizen)
• Passport with photo (if studying outside your home country)
• Study permit page or visa page with current passport (applicable to foreign candidates)
• Second passport page with photo (if in possession of dual citizenship)
• Proof of official registration at a university (not an acceptance letter) (on institutes letterhead)
• Latest academic reports and transcripts (on institutes letterhead)
• Brief details on your personal story, brief details about your studies, as well as how your experiences and future plans are connected to your commitment to helping women and children in developing countries
• Brief paragraph explaining an estimate of your financial situation for the academic year and how you plan to fund your financial needs (estimated expenses must be calculated and expressed in Rand)
• Brief summary of your thesis, including objective, methodology and findings, and how to relates to your career goals (if applicable) (if not applicable: a description of how your current academic studies tie in with your future professional/ volunteer service goals)
• 2 reference letters:
  • 1 reference letter from a faculty member at your university and 1 from someone who can vouch for your character (this can NOT be a family member)
  • At least 1 of the referees must have known you for 2 semesters/ equivalent, or more
  • The reference letters must include the referees’ email addresses so that they can be contacted and provided with an email link from Embark Online where they can submit their recommendations (you must get the consent of both references before putting forward their details)
  • If the candidate is successful, they will then be contacted by Embark. (If your referee has NOT received an email from Embark, ask them to verify that the pop-up blocker is off; check their spam folder, and/or write an email to MMEG to request an individual link.)

Note: documents must preferably be submitted in pdf format, jpeg or png.
 

CLOSING DATE FOR THE MMEG BURSARY

14 September 2025 (at 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time).
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact MMEG directly:
South Africa Program
Email: southafrica@mmeg.org
Candidates should read the MMEG Bursary FAQ’s before submitting any queries.
 

Please do NOT contact MMEG if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

This bursary listing was last updated in May 2025.