The Impembelelo Trust, founded by Carbon Trust Africa (Pty) Ltd, is inviting South African students to apply for the Impembelelo Trust Bursary Programme 2026.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 15 September 2025 (5pm SAST)
About the Impembelelo Trust Bursary Programme
The Impembelelo Trust Bursary is aimed at supporting historically disadvantaged postgraduate students (Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral level) pursuing studies in the sustainability field.
Bursaries are awarded based on academic potential, financial need, and study programme relevance. Funding may be granted at Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS) depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Fields of Study Covered
The bursary is available for Postgraduate degree studies in:
- Natural Sciences
- Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Economics
- Environmental Law
- BCom
- BAcc
- Environmental Science
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Must be a South African citizen (African, Coloured, or Indian as defined by the B-BBEE Act).
- Must be studying or intending to study a full-time postgraduate qualification in a sustainability-related field.
- Must be registered at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa.
- Must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% for the 2024/25 academic year.
- Must provide details of study programme, institution, and start/end dates.
- Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
- To qualify for Full Cost of Study (FCS) funding, applicants must be:
- From households earning ≤ R350 000 per annum, OR
- Living with a disability, OR
- Exceptional academic achievers.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit clear, certified copies of the following:
- South African ID
- Full academic record (latest results included)
- Proof of address
- Proof of household income (salary slips, affidavits, SASSA letters, audited statements, bank statements, or relevant certificates)
- Budget breakdown of study costs
- 500-word motivation letter explaining why you should be awarded the bursary and how your degree will contribute to sustainable development
- Two reference letters from lecturers or academic bodies
- Completed application form (incomplete applications will be disqualified)
Important Dates
- Closing Date: 15 September 2025 at 5pm (SAST)
- Interview Notifications: By end of November 2025
- Final Awards: By 2nd week of February 2026
- Payment: Registration fees will be paid directly to the institution upon receipt of an official invoice.
How to Apply
Click here to apply for the Impembelelo Trust Bursary 2026: Apply Online
For more information, visit the official site: Welcome – Impembelelo Trust