ABOUT THE BURSARY/ FELLOWSHIP PROVIDER – ALLAN GRAY ORBIS FOUNDATION

The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation was founded by Allan Gray in 2005 out of his dream to create a sustainable contribution to the country, by helping students who are the future entrepreneurs of Southern Africa.

The Foundation receives its funding from the donation of Allan Gray Limited’s taxed profits. The Foundation currently operates in 4 countries across Africa, namely South Africa; Namibia; Swaziland and Botswana.

The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship programme aims to provide funding for students to study at university level, as well as providing support and development for those who demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset.
 

ABOUT THE ALLAN GRAY ORBIS FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVEREDOnline learningInvestment services

The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation is inviting students to apply for their Fellowship Programme, for the 2026 academic year.

The fellowship (bursary) will be awarded for undergraduate degree studies within these fields, at selected institutions (WITS, UJ, UCT, NMU, RU, UWC, SU, UP, UFS, UKZN or TSiBA):

• Arts
• Commerce
• Engineering
• Health Science (excluding Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science)
• Humanities
• Law
• Science

The Fellowship Programme aims to help students by cultivating entrepreneurship in Fellows, and ensuring that the Programme results in learners seeking to create entrepreneurship opportunities. Successful candidates will be boarded as Candidate Allan Gray Fellows.

ABOUT THE ALLAN GRAY ORBIS FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME – EXPENSES COVERED & OTHER BENEFITS

The value of the bursary will depend on the students household income:

• Students from a household with a total annual income of less than R1 million, will receive full funding, which will cover: tuition fees, university accommodation and meals, book allowance, general monthly allowance, tutoring sessions and counselling services (ICAS).
• Students from a household with a total annual income of between R1 million and R1.5 million, will receive funding for: tuition fees, university accommodation and meals, tutoring sessions and counselling services (ICAS).
• Students from a household with a total annual income of more than R1.5 million, will receive funding for: tuition fees, tutoring sessions and counselling services (ICAS).

Students will benefit from a range of entrepreneurial support services, including personalized mentorship from a dedicated foundation staff member and an experienced business mentor. They will also gain access to the foundation’s exclusive online entrepreneurial curriculum, participate in an annual entrepreneurship conference, and attend specialized seminars and workshops. Additionally, students will be part of a vibrant community of like-minded entrepreneurs, have opportunities for business incubation, and explore funding avenues through E Squared, a sister entity of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation.

www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary.
 

MORE ABOUT THE ALLAN GRAY ORBIS FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP – SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process will include the following steps and dates:
Step 1: applications must be submitted by no later than 30 April 2025 at 17:00.
Step 2: shortlisted applicants will be contacted and invited to attend an interview in July 2025.
Step 3: shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a Selection Camp in September 2025.
All applicants will receive feedback after every step of the selection process, to keep them updated on the status of their application.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ALLAN GRAY ORBIS FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must NOT be older than 21 years old in 2025
• You must be currently in Matric, in 2025
• You must have achieved a minimum result of 60% for Mathematics OR a minimum result of 80% for Mathematical Literacy in Grade 11 final results
• You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% for Grade 11 final results (excluding Life Orientation)
• You must intend on studying towards a degree qualification within one of the fields of study listed above, in 2026
• You must intend on studying at one of the following partner universities: University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg, University of Cape Town, Nelson Mandela University, Rhodes University, University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria, University of the Free State, University of KwaZulu-Natal or TSIBA Business School
• You must believe in the future of South Africa
• You must have strong entrepreneurial flair and passion

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE ALLAN GRAY FELLOWSHIP

Applications must be submitted in either of the following ways:
– Online: Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Application 2025
Applicants must first Register an Account before they can Login and apply.
(Note: online application is the preferred method as it avoids delays).

– Download and complete the Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Application Form 2025 (.pdf)

Hard copy applications must be submitted in one of the following ways:

• Post: Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, Freepost no: CB 11349, Kloof Street, 8008
• Hand delivery: 46 Hof Street, Oranjezicht, Cape Town, 8001
• Hand delivery: 1st Floor, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, 1 Protea Place, Cnr of Fredman Drive and Protea Place, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Grade 11 final academic record, if this is your most recent report (certified copy)
• Grade 12 latest academic record, if available (certified copy)

CLOSING DATES FOR THE ALLAN GRAY ORBIS FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP

30 April (at 17:00).
(Applications submitted after these dates will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE FELLOWSHIP PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation directly:
Tel: 086 123 9235
WhatsApp: 072 137 0238
Email: fellowship@allangrayorbis.org