Deadline: September 10, 2025
Applications are open for the Absa Fellowship Programme 2026. The Absa Fellowship Programme is more than just an academic scholarship. It is a transformative initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and leadership, and empowering young talent to become changemakers in their communities and industries.
Aligned with Absa’s commitment to financial inclusion and sustainability, this programme equips future leaders with the skills, knowledge and mindset to actively drive growth and innovation in Africa. Every year, they choose the 50 applicants who demonstrate potential, passion and purpose. Selected fellows will emerge as leaders in the private or public sectors or as entrepreneurs, prepared to make a positive impact in their communities, advance sustainability and turn possibilities into reality.
Benefits
- The programme provides funding to students to study on a full-time basis at the public universities in South Africa.
- The Absa Fellowship covers the academic and leadership programme cost. The academic cost will include full tuition, meals, university/university-approved accommodation, laptop, books, education equipment, monthly data and stipend as well as student medical aid cover where required. The leadership programme cost will include online masterclasses, assessments, learner modules and guides, access to emotional-wellness check-in sessions, academic tutoring and mentoring by Absa’s leadership and other industry experts.
Eligibility
They are seeking young, emerging leaders who meet the following criteria:
- Age: Between 18 and 25 years old.
- Academic record: A pass mark of 65% or higher is required. (Applicants may submit either their June 2025 preliminary results or final matric results.)
- Field of study: Applicants should be enrolling as a first-year undergraduate student at a public university in South Africa in 2026 and pursuing a degree in:
- Commerce
- Humanities and social sciences
- Science (including health science, but excluding medical or veterinary studies), technology, engineering and mathematics
- Creative arts
- Digital/Data design.
Application
Important: The application must be submitted in the name of the prospective student who will be attending the tertiary institution, not in the name of a parent or guardian.
Applications close on 10 September 2025. No late applications will be accepted, and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
For more information, see FAQ and visit Absa Fellowship Programme.
