BASF Trust Bursary 2027 Offers Full Funding for Women Studying STEM

Who can apply

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be female
• You must be Black in terms of the BBBEE codes (African, Coloured and Indian)
• You must be currently in Matric (in 2026) or have completed Matric
• You must be studying or intend on studying towards an Undergraduate or Honours qualification, within one of the field of study listed above (the bursary will NOT fund Masters or PhD studies)
• You must be studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
• You must be in financial need, with a combined household income of NOT more than R630 000 per annum
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must NOT have a criminal record
• You must NOT be in receipt of any other bursary or scholarship funding for 2027

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to BASF Trust - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

University costs can quickly stretch beyond tuition alone. The BASF Trust Bursary 2027 provides funding for tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation and a monthly stipend for qualifying Black female students studying chemistry, engineering and selected science disciplines.

The bursary supports undergraduate and Honours studies and is aimed at students who show academic potential but need financial assistance to continue their education.

There is one important detail prospective applicants need to know: the BASF South Africa Trust’s official application portal currently displays applications as closed, even though published 2027 bursary information lists January 2027 closing dates. Applicants should therefore monitor the official portal rather than assume submissions are already being accepted.

What is the BASF Trust Bursary 2027?

The BASF South Africa Trust provides scholarships, bursaries and awards to Black South African women pursuing qualifications in chemistry, sciences and engineering. The Trust says its goal is to help students focus on their studies without carrying the full financial burden themselves.

BASF has also confirmed that the Trust supports Black female students in science and engineering as part of its broader skills-development initiatives. The company reported that more than 60 Black female students were being supported through the Trust at institutions across the country.

For the 2027 bursary cycle, funding is aimed at eligible students pursuing undergraduate or Honours qualifications.

Which fields of study are funded?

Funding is available for students pursuing qualifications in:

• Chemistry
• Engineering
• Sciences

Not every science qualification falls within the programme.

Published 2027 bursary criteria specifically exclude:

• Medical Sciences
• Economic Sciences

Master’s and doctoral studies are also not included in the advertised 2027 funding programme.

Students should confirm that their exact qualification falls within an eligible field before preparing an application.

What expenses can the bursary cover?

One of the strongest features of the BASF Trust Bursary is the range of study costs it can cover.

Successful recipients can receive funding towards:

• Tuition fees
• Prescribed textbooks
• Accommodation
• A monthly stipend

This means the bursary goes beyond simply paying university fees.

For students studying away from home, assistance with accommodation and monthly living expenses can be just as important as tuition funding.

Who can qualify for the BASF Trust Bursary?

The published 2027 requirements are quite specific.

Applicants must:

• Be South African citizens
• Be female
• Be Black as defined under applicable Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment codes
• Be completing Matric in 2026 or have already completed Matric
• Be studying or planning to study an eligible undergraduate or Honours qualification
• Study at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution
• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a strong academic record
• Have no criminal record
• Not receive another bursary or scholarship for the 2027 academic year

The published household-income threshold is no more than R630,000 per year.

African, Coloured and Indian female students fall within the advertised eligibility criteria.

Why is the household income limit important?

Financial need forms part of the selection criteria.

The combined household income of an applicant’s parents or guardians must not exceed R630,000 per year, according to the published bursary requirements.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to provide supporting evidence of household income rather than simply stating an estimated amount.

This documentation can differ depending on whether a parent or guardian is employed, self-employed, unemployed or receiving a social grant or pension.

Prepare household-income documents early. Bursary applications often fail because students wait until the final day to find payslips, affidavits, certified documents or proof of university acceptance.

What documents should applicants prepare?

The advertised document checklist includes several important supporting documents.

Applicants should prepare:

• Certified copy of their South African identity document
• Certified Matric certificate or latest Matric results
• Certified full academic record, where applicable
• Most recent academic results
• Proof of university acceptance
• Certified proof of parents’ or guardians’ income
• Curriculum vitae of no more than three pages

Depending on household circumstances, proof of income may include payslips, audited financial statements, an unemployment affidavit or documentation confirming a grant or pension.

Missing compulsory documents may prevent an otherwise eligible student from progressing through the selection process.

Are Matric learners eligible?

Yes.

Students completing Matric in 2026 can be considered if they intend to enter an eligible programme in 2027 and meet the remaining bursary requirements.

Published university guidance for the 2027 programme notes that Matric applicants entering first year will need strong academic results and proof of university acceptance.

This makes the period after receiving university admission particularly important.

Students should keep acceptance letters and their latest academic documents ready in a format that can be uploaded easily.

Can current university students receive funding?

Yes.

Students who are already enrolled at recognised tertiary institutions may also qualify, provided their studies fall within the approved fields and they meet the other eligibility requirements.

Eligible Honours students can also be considered.

However, the programme does not extend to Master’s or doctoral qualifications under the published 2027 criteria.

When does the BASF Trust Bursary close?

Published information lists two different closing dates, depending on the applicant’s current study status:

• Current tertiary students: 15 January 2027
• Current Matric students: 22 January 2027

These dates are also reflected in bursary information published by North-West University.

However, applicants should pay attention to the current status of the official BASF Trust application system.

At the time of checking on 28 September 2026, the official application page states that applications are currently closed.

This may mean that the 2027 submission window has not yet been activated on the official portal.

How will applications be submitted?

Once applications are being accepted, candidates should use the official BASF South Africa Trust bursary application portal.

The portal should be checked directly before submitting because application availability can change.

Do not send documents to unrelated websites or unofficial application forms.

The bursary details may already be available, but applicants should wait for the official application system to confirm that submissions are open.

How can students prepare before the portal opens?

Students who meet the requirements do not have to wait before preparing.

Use the time to:

• Check that your qualification is eligible
• Obtain certified identification documents
• Prepare your academic records
• Secure proof of university acceptance when available
• Collect household-income documentation
• Update your curriculum vitae
• Ensure your contact details are correct
• Save documents as clear, readable files

Preparing early reduces the risk of rushing through important documentation when the application portal becomes available.

It also gives applicants time to correct problems such as missing academic records or outdated certification.

Why could this bursary matter for women entering STEM?

Science and engineering qualifications can involve significant study costs, particularly when accommodation, textbooks and everyday living expenses are added to university fees.

The BASF Trust programme specifically focuses on supporting Black women pursuing chemistry, engineering and science qualifications.

That targeted approach can help more women enter fields where advanced technical qualifications are often essential for career progression.

For an eligible student, the real value is therefore not simply the bursary amount.

It is the opportunity to focus more fully on completing a demanding qualification without carrying the same level of financial pressure.

Final Thoughts

The BASF Trust Bursary 2027 is worth watching closely for eligible Black female students pursuing chemistry, engineering or qualifying science programmes.

Funding can include tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation and a monthly stipend, while both undergraduate and Honours students may be considered.

The published deadlines are 15 January 2027 for current tertiary students and 22 January 2027 for current Matric students.

However, students should not confuse a published deadline with an active application portal.

The official BASF Trust application page currently shows applications as closed, so the safest approach is to prepare the required documents now and check the official portal for the opening of submissions.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

This page summarises information published by: