Margaret McNamara Education Grants Bursary South Africa 2027 | Apply Now

About Margaret McNamara Education Grants (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 organisation draws its inspiration from Margaret McNamara, who had a goal of promoting education and gender equality.

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 organisations that provides financial assistance and bursaries specifically to women. The Margaret McNamara Education Grants Bursary South Africa 2027 invites female students from South Africa to apply for their bursary award for the 2027 academic year.

Organisation: Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG) • Founded: 1981 • Focus: Women from developing countries • Academic Year: 2027

What Fields of Study Are Covered?

The Margaret McNamara Education Grants Bursary South Africa 2027 covers ALL fields of study, towards a Certificate, Undergraduate, Graduate or Post Doctorate qualification, at selected universities listed below. Female students from other countries may also apply if their country is on the MMEG Country Eligibility List.

What Is the Value of the MMEG Bursary?

MMEG provides a grant of up to US$7,500 (approximately R120,000), however grants may vary depending on the availability of funds and exchange rates. The grant funds will be awarded in February 2027.

MMEG grants may fund any expenses incurred by grantees in the course of their studies (except past due fees), including academic expenses and supplies, living expenses, transportation, travel, research and field work, or childcare.

MMEG Accredited Universities in South Africa

The Margaret McNamara Education Grants Bursary South Africa 2027 is available to students registered at the following accredited universities:

Eligibility Requirements for the Margaret McNamara Education Grants Bursary South Africa 2027

Before you apply for the Margaret McNamara Education Grants Bursary South Africa 2027, check that you meet all the requirements below. If you miss any requirement, your application will not be considered.

• You must be a South African national (nationals from other countries on the MMEG Country Eligibility List may also apply)
• If applying from an eligible country other than South Africa, you must have a study permit for 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 be officially enrolled to study towards a Certificate, Undergraduate qualification, Graduate qualification or Post Doctorate studies (acceptance letter is NOT sufficient – you must be officially enrolled)
• You must be registered for in-person studies at one of the accredited universities listed above
• 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

Important note: MMEG does not charge any application or processing fees. If you encounter anyone requesting payment, please report it to MMEG directly.

Required Documents

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application for the Margaret McNamara Education Grants Bursary South Africa 2027. The submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified. Documents must preferably be submitted in pdf, jpeg, or png format.

• 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 institution’s letterhead
• Latest academic reports and transcripts – on institution’s letterhead
• Brief details on your personal story, your studies, and how your experiences and future plans connect 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 needs (estimated expenses must be in Rand)
• Brief summary of your thesis, including objective, methodology and findings, and how it 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
  • 1 reference letter from someone who can vouch for your character (cannot be a family member)
  • At least 1 referee must have known you for 2 semesters (or equivalent) or more
  • Reference letters must include the referees’ email addresses so they can be contacted and provided with an email link from Embark Online

Important Information

• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a telephonic interview
• Successful candidates will be personally notified in December 2025 and results will be announced on the MMEG web page in January 2026
• Candidates should read the MMEG Bursary FAQs before submitting any queries
• 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, or write to MMEG to request an individual link
• If unsuccessful, applicants may re-apply in the future
• Recipients of the MMEG grant are not eligible to reapply

Contact Information

If you have any queries related to the Margaret McNamara Education Grants Bursary South Africa 2027, please contact MMEG directly:

• Email: southafrica@mmeg.org

Margaret McNamara Education Grants Bursary South Africa 2027 – Quick Summary

• Organisation: Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG)
• Grant Name: MMEG South Africa Program
• Academic Year: 2027
• Who can apply: Women from South Africa (or eligible countries) aged 25+
• Study level: Certificate, Undergraduate, Graduate, Post Doctorate
• Fields of study: ALL fields are covered
• University requirement: Officially enrolled for in-person studies at an accredited South African university
• Enrolment requirement: Full-time or part-time (minimum 2 courses per semester)
• Grant value: Up to US$7,500 (approximately R120,000)
• Funds awarded: February 2027
• Application method: Online via Embark (select “South Africa program”)
• Closing date: 14 September 2026 at 11:59pm EST
• Notification: Semi-finalists contacted for interview; results announced January 2026