INISA Student Grant South Africa 2025

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – INISA

The “Initiative Southern Africa” (INISA), formed in 1995, is a German Non-Governmental Organisation, whose mission is to make the public of Germany aware of political, economical, social and cultural developments within Southern Africa in order to create interest, further the understanding and better contacts and exchange between Southern Africa and Germany.

INISA offers student grants for students within the SADC region – funding is received from membership fees and donations, as the company is completely independent and non-partisan.

ABOUT THE INISA STUDENT GRANT – FIELDS COVERED

The Initiative Southern Africa (INISA) is inviting students from the SADC region (Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe), to apply for a study grant for the 2025 academic year.

The grant covers Undergraduate studies in ANY field (however Economics, Engineering, Science, and Medical students are encouraged to apply), at a University or tertiary education institution within a country in the SADC region.

ABOUT THE INISA STUDENT GRANT – COVERAGE VALUE & SELECTION

The bursary grant will cover 75% of tuition fees and related study fees (including residence fees, books and other study materials), up to a maximum amount of Euro 1500 (or the equivalent in local currency).

If the grant is awarded to more than 1 student, the maximum grant value will be split equally between the recipients.

Selected students must provide a fees account record from their institution, to prove tuition related expenses. The award will be paid to the institution, in the students fee account. Recipients must submit 2 progress reports during the 2025 academic year.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to attend an interview, after which the final selection will be made.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INISA STUDENT GRANT

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

You must be a national of one of the SADC countries (Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe)
You must be studying full-time at a University or another tertiary education institution within a country in the SADC region
You must be studying towards an Undergraduate qualification in ANY field (the grant does NOT cover postgraduate studies)
You must be in your second or third year of undergraduate study
You must have successfully completed at least one year of studies and has successfully re-registered for further courses in the next academic year
Preference will be given to students pursuing studies within Economics, Engineering, Science, Medical and related fields

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE INISA STUDENT GRANT

Applications must be submitted via email to: inisastudentgrant@gmx.de
(Insert the words “INISA Study Grant Application” in the email subject line).

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):

Detailed Curriculum Vitae (including full name, address, university and subjects, year of study – in pdf format)
Photograph of you (in gif or jpg format)
Motivational letter, covering the following: why you chose your field of study, what does the subject mean to you, what is your goal with your studies, what are your life goals, what are you hobbies, why should you be selected to receive the grant, how will the grant make a difference to your studies, etc (between 500 and 1500 words – in pdf format) (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)
2 references who will support your application and be able to provide further information about you (NOT a family member or friend) (name and contact details) (read our tips on how to get a letter of reference/ testimonial for your bursary application)
Details about any extra funding you have received from private or public sources (including bursaries, grants, scholarships, tuition fee waivers etc)

Notes:
1) there is no application form to be completed for this bursary application – students need only submit the list of above documents to apply.
2) the motivational letter is an extremely important document and will be the main deciding factor in whether you get awarded the grant – this letter paints a picture of the applicant and allows INISA to get to know you better – please ensure that you put a lot of thought and effort in to this letter.

CLOSING DATE FOR THE INISA STUDENT GRANT

1 September 2024.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE STUDENT GRANT PROVIDER

For any queries related to this grant programme, please contact INISA directly:
Contact person: dr Sebastian Seedorf (Co-opted, Coordinator INISA Scholarship Program)
Contact page: https://www.inisa.de/kontakt-zum-vorstand/2-dr-sa-seedorf
Please do NOT contact INISA if this scholarship has already closed.