Allan Gray is one of South Africa’s leading investment management firms. This firm was established to offer a range of investments and meet a variety of investment requirements.
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation was established in 2005 by Allan Gray to make a sustainable contribution to the country by providing education bursaries to students who cannot afford their education expenses. This bursary is a gateway to transforming young peopleā€™s dreams into real impacts on societies and the nation.
In this article, we will explore the Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship bursary, including its application process, monthly allowance, eligibility requirements, and closing dates.
Table of Contents
What is Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary?
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation was founded in 2005 by Allan Gray. This foundation aims to make a sustainable contribution to the country by supporting future entrepreneurs in Southern Africa. This foundation operates in four African countries: South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, and Botswana.
Allan Gray Bursary will be provided to students pursuing their undergraduate programmes at the countryā€™s partnered universities, including:
- Rhodes University (RU)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- Stellenbosch University (SU)
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
- University of the Free State (UFS)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
- Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA).
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship programme is a gateway to a brighter future. It provides funding for students to pursue university-level studies and offers comprehensive support and development to those who demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset. This Foundation Fellowship Bursary invites applications for the academic year.
Read about Top Funding For Undergraduate Degrees: Student Loans, Bursaries, and More
Fields Covered by Allan Gray Bursary
The Allan Gray Bursary is a prestigious programme that supports high-potential students with strong academic ability and entrepreneurial ambition. It provides financial assistance while actively developing leadership and entrepreneurship skills among undergraduate students. The fellowship recognises that future entrepreneurs can emerge from diverse academic backgrounds. As a result, it supports a wide range of study disciplines at selected universities.
The bursary is available to students pursuing undergraduate programmes in the following fields:
- Law,
- Arts,
- Science,
- Commerce,
- Humanities,
- Engineering and
- Health Science (excluding Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Science).
By covering a wide range of academic disciplines, the fellowship recognises that entrepreneurship can take many forms and span diverse fields of study. Beyond financial support, the programme is designed to nurture entrepreneurial thinking and develop leadership capabilities. It also creates meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to economic growth and innovation.
Also, read about Bursaries Explained: Understanding the Different Types of Bursaries
Allowances Provided by Allan Gray Bursary
Allowances help students cover essential living and study-related costs, ensuring financial challenges do not distract from academic and entrepreneurial development. In general, the monthly allowance provided by the bursary will include the following expenses:
- Tuition fees
- Textbooks and other study materials
- Food and accommodation at the university residence
- Students will also have access to an additional resource to reduce challenges in the learning and teaching experience.
The Allan Gray Bursary allowances are provided to the applicants based on their household income. Here is the complete breakdown of the Bursary allowances:
- Applicants with a total household income less than R1 million will receive complete education expenses, including:
- Tuition fees
- University accommodation and food allowances
- Textbooks and other study materials allowances
- Tutoring sessions and counselling service allowances
- Other monthly allowances.
- Applicants with a total household income between R1 million and R1.5 million will receive education expenses, including:
- Tuition fees
- University accommodation and food allowances
- Tutoring sessions and counselling service allowances.
Also read about Benefits of Bursaries in South Africa | Impacts and Growth Scope
What are the Eligibility Requirements for Allan Gray Bursary?
There are specific eligibility criteria that all applicants must meet before applying for the Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary. These requirements are set to identify candidates with strong academic ability, leadership potential, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Only applicants who meet these minimum conditions will be considered for the selection process:
- Applicants must be South African Citizens
- Applicants must not be older than 21 years of age by 2026
- Applicants must have a strong entrepreneurial flair and passion
- Applicants must be currently studying in Matric or class 12 by 2026
- Applicants must be willing to enrol in any one of South Africaā€™s partnered universities
- Applicants must have achieved a minimum aggregate mark of 60 per cent in their class 11 Mathematics
- Applicants must clear the National Benchmark test before enrolling in their undergraduate programmes.
- Applicants must have achieved a minimum aggregate mark of 70 per cent in their overall class 11 results
- Applicants must be willing to pursue an undergraduate degree in one of the domains, in accordance with the bursary guidelines.
These were some general requirements for getting a bursary in South Africa. Students can explore the eligibility requirements further on the bursaryā€™s website.
Allan Gray Bursary Closing Date
The Allan Gray bursary closing date has not been released yet. It is advised to apply early to avoid any delay or confusion. If you are interested in pursuing your education for the academic year 2026, the Allan Gray bursaryā€™s opening and closing dates can vary yearly. Every student must stay updated on the bursaryā€™s official website to ensure they take advantage of this opportunity.
Moreover, you must apply for this bursary before the closing date when the applications are open. Otherwise, your application may not be accepted.
Allan Gray Bursary Online Application Process
Applicants interested in this fellowship bursary may submit their applications online or offline. Before filling out the application form, browse the Allan Gray bursary application form and read the guidelines to learn more about the bursary and its eligibility requirements.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help students apply for this Fellowship Bursary:
- Step 1: Visit the Allan Gray Orbis website.
- Step 2: Create an account before logging in and applying.
- Step 3: Check the bursary online application form, read all the information carefully, and complete the form with accurate details.
- Step 4: Submit all the essential scanned documents. Required documentation to be included in the application is listed below:
- ID Proof,
- All academic records from Grades 10 ā€“ 12, including the most recent transcripts
Once you have uploaded all the documents and reviewed the application form, click the submit button to complete the process. Then, download the consent form.
*Note: All the documents mentioned above should be certified and should be at most 3 months old. To avoid rejection, make sure to apply on or before the bursaryā€™s closing date.
Allan Gray Bursary Offline Application Process
If you are completing the application offline, you must download and complete the application form as a PDF. Once you successfully complete the application form, hard copies of the application form, along with the preferred documents, must be submitted in one of the following ways:
- Postal address: 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
Conclusion
The Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship bursary was established to develop a new generation of active, engaged entrepreneurial leaders who can make a meaningful difference to the social fabric of Southern Africa. This foundation allows aspiring learners to begin their journey through its Fellowship.
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation is a golden opportunity for South African Grade 12 students. It provides financial support and cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset by encouraging applicants to look beyond traditional career horizons and create value and drive innovation in their chosen fields.
For more information related to bursaries, how to apply, and different education opportunities, visit Regenesys Education‘s Reginsights page now!
FAQs
The primary goal of this Fellowship Bursary is to provide financial assistance to successful, eligible applicants with excellent academic records who cannot continue their higher studies.
The applicantā€™s household income should not be more than R1.5 million.
Applicants for this bursary must score a minimum aggregate mark of 65 per cent or higher in their matriculation or class 12.
Yes. Applicants applying for this bursary should not be older than 21 years of age by 2026.
No. This foundation bursary is ideal for young South Africans pursuing undergraduate studies in their preferred disciplines.
