Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG) South Africa Bursaries 2025
.png)
About MMEG
The Margaret McNamara Education
Grants (MMEG) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1981 to honour
Margaret Craig McNamara, the wife of Robert S. McNamara, who served as the
President of the World Bank. The organization aims to support the education of
women from developing countries who are committed to improving the lives of
women and children in their home countries. MMEG provides grants to women
pursuing education in the United States, Canada, and select universities in
South Africa and Latin America.
Fields
of Study
MMEG is inviting female students
from South Africa to apply for their bursary award for the 2025 academic year. The
award is available for all fields of study towards a Certificate,
Undergraduate, Graduate, or Postdoctoral qualification at selected
universities. Applicants must be registered for in-person studies at one of the
following accredited universities in South Africa:
- Cape Peninsula University of
Technology
- Central University of
Technology
- Durban University of Technology
- Mangosuthu University of
Technology
- University of Fort Hare
- University of Limpopo
- Nelson Mandela University
- North-West University
- Rhodes University
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences
University
- Sol Plaatje University
- Stellenbosch University
- Tshwane University of
Technology
- University of Cape Town
- University of Johannesburg
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Mpumalanga
- University of Pretoria
- University of the Free State
- University of the Western Cape
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Venda
- University of Zululand
- Vaal University of Technology
- Walter Sisulu University
Coverage Value & Selection
MMEG offers grants of up to
US$7,000 (approximately R128,000), though the amount may vary based on
available funds and exchange rates. The grants will be disbursed in February
2025. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a telephone interview within
2 to 3 months after the application deadline. The results will be announced on
the MMEG website in December 2024.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the MMEG South
Africa Bursary for 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Applicants must meet the following
eligibility criteria:
- Self-identifying women from
eligible countries
- Identify as a woman and be at
least 25 years old at the time of the application deadline.
- Be a national of a country
listed on the MMEG country eligibility list (with the exception of the Trinity
Washington University Program).
- Be enrolled (not just accepted)
in an accredited in-person academic institution and program when submitting the
application.
- Plan to be enrolled for at
least one full academic semester (half-year term) after receiving the MMEG
grant.
- Plan to graduate no later than
three years after receiving the MMEG grant.
- Not be related to a World Bank
Group, International Monetary Fund, or Inter-American Development Bank staff
member, spouse, retiree, or MMEG Board member.
In addition to the above
criteria, applicants must:
- Already be enrolled full-time
or part-time (minimum of 2 courses per semester or term) at one of the
universities on the MMEG list.
- Be enrolled for at least one
academic semester (half-year) following the award of the MMEG grant in December
(the term between January and July 2025).
- Plan to graduate no later than
three years following the award of the MMEG grant.
- Hold a study permit for South
Africa if applying from an eligible country other than South Africa.
How to
Apply
The application process for the
MMEG South Africa Bursary involves several steps:
1. Online Application: Applicants
must complete the online application form available on the MMEG website during
the application period. Click here to apply
2. Personal Statement: Provide a
personal statement detailing academic and professional goals, how the degree
will contribute to the improvement of women and children's lives, and how the
applicant plans to use the education in her home country.
3. Recommendation Letters: Submit
at least two letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts.
4. Proof of Enrolment: Provide
proof of enrolment from the university.
5. Financial Information: Submit
detailed financial information including estimated expenses and available
resources.
6. Identification: Provide a copy
of a valid passport or national ID.
Documents Required
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Before starting the MMEG
application process, please ensure you have scanned the following documents in
digital form (preferably PDF, but JPEG or PNG are also acceptable):
- Identification (ID) card with
photo:
- (a) National passport page with photo and date of birth, if studying
outside your home country, or
- (b) Government or university-issued identity card with photo and birth
date.
- Proof of Registration: Most
recent official registration proof from the university (not an acceptance
letter).
- Academic Transcripts: Most
recent official university transcripts and/or reports.
- Visa or Study Permit: Visa page
or study permit page within the current passport (if studying outside your home
country).
- Second Passport Page: Clear
photo of the second passport page (in case of dual citizenship).
You will be required to upload
these documents at specific points in the online application form.
Additionally, you will need to provide:
- Personal Statement: Brief
paragraphs describing your personal story, and how your studies, experiences,
and future plans are linked to your commitment to women and children in
developing countries.
- Financial Estimate: An estimate
of your financial situation, including living expenses for the coming academic
year, and planned strategies to cover funding needs.
- Thesis Summary (if applicable):
A summary of your thesis, including its objective, methodology, findings, and
relationship to career goals.
Two reference letters are
required:
- One referee must be a faculty
member from your current university.
- The second referee may be any
person (non-family member) who can vouch for your character and work. At least
one of the individuals must have known you for at least one year.
Please contact the two
individuals you would like to request reference letters from. After receiving
their confirmation, you will need to provide their email addresses in the
application form. They will each receive an email link from the Embark online
platform to write their recommendation. You will be notified by Embark when
their recommendations are submitted.
Opening and Closing Dates
Applications commence on May 15,
2024, and conclude on September 14, 2024.
Contact Details
For more information or inquiries
regarding the MMEG South Africa Bursary, applicants can contact MMEG through
the following:
- Website: MMEG Website
- Email: southafrica@mmeg.org
- Mailing Address:
Margaret McNamara Education Grants
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
USA
Applicants are encouraged to
visit the MMEG website regularly for updates and additional information
regarding the application process, eligibility requirements, and important
dates.
