Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG) Bursaries Application 2024 | How to Apply

Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG) invites female students from South Africa to apply for the 2023 / 2024 Bursary Programme.

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.

Fields of study:

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).

MMEG provides a grant of up to US$7 000, however grants may vary depending on the availability of funds and exchange rates. The grant funds will be awarded in February 2024.

Requirements::

• 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 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 (from January to July 2024)
• 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

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

Method of Application. 

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

Applications must be submitted online at: MMEG Bursary Application 2024 (select “South Africa program” in the first question of the application).

Required Documents:

• 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.)

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a telephonic interview within 2 to 3 months after the application deadline. Results will be announced in mid-December 2023, on the MMEG website.