Introduction: What This Full Bursaries List for 2026 Covers
Education costs continue to rise around the world, and securing funding has never been more crucial for students of all levels. Whether you’re pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational, or professional qualifications, the Full Bursaries list for 2026 below is designed to help you find opportunities that can fund your tuition, living expenses, stipends, accommodation, travel grants, and even mentoring programmes.
This comprehensive guide includes bursaries from government agencies, private foundations, corporations, and universities — with a focus on global relevance for learners in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries, as well as inclusive funding options in Africa and beyond.
What Is a Bursary and Why It Matters in 2026
Before we dive into the bursaries, let’s clarify terminology for international readers.
A bursary is a form of financial support awarded to students based on financial need, academic merit, community service, or specific criteria (such as field of study, background, or leadership profile). Unlike loans, bursaries do not need to be repaid.
Many bursaries today are becoming comprehensive funding packages — covering not just tuition but also accommodation, books, transport, and living allowances.
In the Full Bursaries list for 2026, we include:
- National government funded bursaries
- Corporate sponsored funding
- Institutional university bursaries
- STEM-specific bursaries
- Leadership & merit-based awards
- International scholarships with full funding
Whether you’re a school leaver or postgraduate applicant, there’s something in this list for you.
How to Use This Full Bursaries List for 2026
Due to the extensive nature of bursary opportunities, we’ve categorized the list into practical sections. You can click through based on what interests you most:
- Global Scholarships & Grants Open in 2026
- South African Bursaries 2026 (Major Corporate & Government Programmes)
- STEM & Specialized Bursary Opportunities
- Postgraduate & Leadership Bursaries
- How to Apply Successfully
- Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Frequently Asked Questions
By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of where your funding options lie — and how to maximize your chances of success.
1. Global Scholarships & Grants Open in 2026
These bursaries and scholarships are ideal for international students seeking fully funded education abroad. Many of these awards cover tuition fees, stipends, travel, and accommodation.
AIMS South Africa AI for Science Master’s Programme 2026–27
This programme offers a fully funded Master’s bursary opportunity focused on Mathematical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science, delivered in partnership with Google DeepMind. It’s an excellent option for graduate students pursuing research in AI. Application deadlines vary early in 2026. (Opportunity Desk)
CLIFF-GRADS Applied Agriculture Research Scholarships 2026
Offered through the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases and CGIAR, the CLIFF-GRADS initiative supports early-career research scientists from eligible countries to conduct applied research in agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation. (Opportunity Desk)
2. South African Bursaries 2026 – Major Corporate & Government Programmes
Although this list includes global elements, a large portion of structured bursaries for 2026 is available in South Africa due to the way institutions publish comprehensive bursary cycles. Many of these are open to international applicants where specified.
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) 2026
The NSFAS Bursary is one of South Africa’s largest publicly funded bursaries. It supports students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to study at public universities and TVET colleges. Funding covers tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks, and allowances. (All Bursaries)
- Fields of Study: All
- Deadline: 30 November 2025 (for the 2026 academic year)
- Coverage: Full student funding
Standard Bank Fully Funded Bursary Opportunities
Standard Bank offers fully funded 2026 bursaries across multiple fields, including commerce, agriculture, science, technology, and behavioral economics. This comprehensive bursary covers tuition, accommodation, meals, books, a laptop, a monthly stipend, and transport to and from the university. (Careers Office)
- Deadline: 30 September 2025
- Eligibility: Strong academic results and financial need
Vodacom Bursaries 2026
Vodacom’s bursary programme focuses on STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). It typically covers full tuition, accommodation, textbooks, and sometimes mentorship support. (NASI iSPANI)
- Focus Areas: STEM
- Level: Undergraduate & postgraduate
- Deadline: Various — generally mid-2025 for the 2026 academic year
LPFF Bursary Programme 2026–27
The Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund (LPFF) provides comprehensive bursaries to law students — both undergraduate and postgraduate — supporting tuition and fees alongside mentoring opportunities. (NASI iSPANI)
UFS Star of Stars Bursary Programme 2026
The University of the Free State Star of Stars bursary recognises high-achieving Grade 12 learners. Besides funding, bursars receive mentorship and personal development support. (NASI iSPANI)
Department of Land Reform and Rural Development Bursaries 2026
The Department offers bursaries in specialised fields such as Geomatics, Urban Planning, and Geographic Information Science. Funding covers tuition, accommodation, books, meals, and living allowance targeted especially at rural and previously disadvantaged applicants. (Land Reform & Rural Development)
DSAC Bursaries for Heritage and Cultural Studies 2026
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) invites applications from students pursuing heritage-related studies including anthropology, archaeology, library sciences, and information sciences. Coverage includes tuition, books, accommodation, meals, and transport. (DSA C Events)
merSETA Honours Bursary 2026
Offered through merSETA and hosted by the University of the Free State, this bursary supports honours students in natural sciences and economics. It provides up to R140 000 towards study costs. (University of the Free State)
Additional South African Bursaries
Platforms such as AllBursaries and BursaryList.co.za list hundreds of open bursaries for 2026 — including programmes from Bakwena, Cape Gate, KN Inzuzo Trust, SAFRIPOL, SASSETA, Railway Safety Regulator, UYDF, Rand Refinery, PPS Foundation and more. (All Bursaries)
For practical tools on comparing bursaries and tracking deadlines, visit this comprehensive directory on
Internal link: https://linkinjobs.de/bursary-resources-2026
3. STEM & Specialized Bursary Opportunities in 2026
Many bursaries prioritise STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) due to the global skills demand.
Moshal Scholarship Programme 2026
The Moshal Scholarship supports STEM and commerce students through prestigious merit-based awards. (CareerPage)
PPS Foundation Bursary for STEM
The PPS Foundation funds STEM students focusing on critical sciences, mathematics, and engineering fields. (CareerPage)
WAAD Foundation Bursary for Women in STEM
This bursary is geared toward women pursuing STEM degrees — promoting gender equity in fields that traditionally lack female representation. (CareerPage)
4. Postgraduate & Leadership-Focused Bursaries
Many bursaries go beyond tuition support and include unique benefits like leadership development, mentoring, and research funding.
Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship
Although not exclusively a bursary, the Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship combines funding with leadership development for entrepreneurial students. (Vuka Matric)
Commonwealth Scholarship & Related Awards
Programs such as Commonwealth Scholarships support graduate students from member countries, including research funding and living expenses for master’s and doctoral studies. (Xtrafrica Media Group)
Gallagher Foundation Scholarship 2026
This competitive scholarship supports academically excellent students at top universities with full fees, allowances, and development support. (Xtrafrica Media Group)
5. How to Apply Successfully for Bursaries in 2026
Securing bursary funding is as much about strategy as it is about qualification. Here are proven steps to improve your success rate.
Start Early
Begin your research and application preparation at least 6–12 months before deadlines. Most bursaries for 2026 close in September–November 2025 for the academic year ahead.
Tailor Your Application
Read eligibility criteria carefully and tailor your application to emphasise:
- Academic performance
- Financial need or community service
- Leadership and goals alignment with bursary values
6. Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Apply to Multiple Bursaries: Don’t put all your hopes on one application.
- Prepare Supporting Documents Early: Certified academic records, motivation letters, financial statements, and references help complete your profile.
- Write a Strong Motivation: Explain clearly why you deserve the bursary and how it aligns with your study and career goals.
- Follow Instructions Carefully: Incomplete or improperly submitted applications are often rejected.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Are bursaries only for students in specific fields?
No. While some bursaries are field-specific (like STEM or law), many fund all disciplines, especially general funding schemes like NSFAS. (All Bursaries)
Can international students apply for these bursaries?
Some bursaries listed (especially global scholarships) accept international applicants. However, many South African bursaries are limited to citizens or residents.
When do bursary applications usually close?
For the 2026 academic year, most bursary applications close between September and November 2025, with a few extending into early 2026.
Conclusion: Your Full Bursaries List for 2026 Is Just the Start
Funding your education can be one of the most transformative steps you take — not just financially, but in unlocking opportunities, networks, and personal growth.
This Full Bursaries list for 2026 is designed to empower you with actionable information and credible opportunities you can pursue today.
Bookmark this guide and revisit it often, especially with bursary deadlines approaching. Also explore related career and skills development resources here:
Internal link: httwww.linkinjobs.de