Young South Africans with big dreams now have an incredible chance to step into leadership and opportunity. Applications for the 2026 Absa Fellowship Programme are officially open from 1 to 10 September 2025. This programme is not just a bursary—it is a journey that equips young leaders with academic support, entrepreneurial skills, and mentorship to make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
What Is the Absa Fellowship Programme?
The Absa Fellowship Programme is a powerful combination of academic funding and leadership development. Designed to nurture entrepreneurial, ethical, and innovative young leaders, this initiative aligns with Absa’s commitment to financial inclusion, sustainability, and Africa’s growth.
Each year, 50 outstanding students are selected based on potential, passion, and purpose. They are transformed into agents of change, ready to advance sustainability and community development in both the public and private sectors—or to forge entrepreneurial paths.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be aged between 18 and 25 years as of the application period.
- Have an average of 65% or higher in Matric, or submit June 2025 preliminary results.
- Be accepted or provisionally accepted into the first year of an undergraduate degree at a public university in South Africa.
- Study in one of these fields:
- Commerce
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Science (including health sciences, excluding medical/veterinary)
- Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
- Creative Arts
- Digital/Data Design
- Submit the application in your own name, with your own contact details. Applications submitted by parents or guardians will be disqualified.
- Be a citizen of South Africa.
What the Fellowship Offers
Selected fellows benefit from both comprehensive financial coverage and a structured leadership development journey:
Financial Support
- Full tuition fees
- Textbooks and study materials
- Laptop to support digital learning
- Accommodation (university or private)
- Meal allowance, monthly stipend, and monthly data allowance
- Student medical aid cover
Leadership Development
- A specially curated Entrepreneurial Leadership Development Programme, designed to prepare fellows for real-world leadership through modules on innovation, systems thinking, entrepreneurship, and future-focused skills.
- Emotional wellness support, academic tutoring, mentoring, and peer networks.
Recommended for you: Bursary Application Checklist: Documents You Must Have
How to Apply
- Submit your application between 1 and 10 September 2025—no late submissions will be accepted.
- Your application must include your own personal details and contact information—parent/guardian details are not accepted.
- Phase 1 (Pre-screening): Check if you meet minimum requirements.
- Phase 2: If successful, you’ll receive a voucher code, via email from absafellowship@fundi.co.za, to complete a psychometric assessment.
- Phase 3: Applicants are shortlisted based on psychometric scores.
- Phase 4: Shortlisted candidates attend interviews.
- Frequently check your email—including spam/junk folders—for updates throughout the process.
Why This Fellowship Matters
- Equips you with financial and academic support.
- Develops critical leadership and entrepreneurial competencies that are essential in a rapidly changing world.
- Anchors you within a network of mentors, peers, and professionals, ready to support your growth and impact.
- Aligns with Absa’s vision: shaping Africa’s future by empowering a new generation of ethical and innovative leaders.
Also check: Bursaries Closing in September 2025
The 2026 Absa Fellowship Programme is a launchpad for ambitious young South Africans ready to make a difference. If you fit the requirements and want to step into your future with confidence, don’t miss the chance to apply between 1 and 10 September 2025.
Remember—late applications will not be considered. Apply in your own name, check your emails often, and prepare to become one of Absa’s next changemakers.