WAAW Foundation Scholarship (Undergraduate Scholarship for African Women in STEM)
WAAW Foundation - Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (self-administered via its online scholarship portal)
The WAAW Foundation Scholarship is a pan-African award from a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports young African women studying STEM at universities across Africa, including South Africa. It is a one-time grant of USD 500 (about R9,000) paid in two installments, together with mentorship, leadership development and membership of a network of African women in science and technology. It is open to female undergraduates in their 1st or 2nd year (or 3rd year of a 5-year course) who show financial need and a strong academic record.
- Amount
- One-time award of USD 500 (approximately R9,000), paid in two installments and typically released on completion of the required STEM outreach activities
- Deadline
- To be announced
- Renewable
- No
Eligible Fields of Study
WAAW Foundation - Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (self-administered via its online scholarship portal) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ Female student of African origin
- ✓ Living and studying at a university or college in Africa (South Africa included)
- ✓ Currently enrolled in a first undergraduate Bachelor's degree in a STEM field
- ✓ In 1st or 2nd year of study (or 3rd year if enrolled in a 5-year course)
- ✓ Under 32 years of age at the time of application
- ✓ Demonstrable financial need
- ✓ Strong academic record (good grades and references)
- ✓ Provide names of 2 references - one a professor at your institution and one an academic supervisor, advisor or mentor (transcripts and recommendation letters are required only after shortlisting)
- ✓ Submit the completed online form, a personal statement/motivation and the required essays
What's Included
- ✓ USD 500 one-time grant towards educational expenses (approximately R9,000)
- ✓ Membership in a pan-African network of young women in STEM
- ✓ Mentorship, leadership development and community-outreach opportunities
Work Commitment
No work-back contract, but recipients are expected to take part in WAAW Foundation STEM outreach activities; the second installment of the award is typically released on completion of these activities.
How to Apply
Steps to complete your WAAW Foundation - Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (self-administered via its online scholarship portal) bursary application
- 1
Confirm you are eligible: a woman of African origin, studying STEM (not Medicine or Nursing) at an African university, in 1st or 2nd year (or 3rd year of a 5-year course) and under 32
- 2
Visit the official scholarship page at waawfoundation.org/scholarship/ and open the online application form (hosted on Airtable)
- 3
Complete the online form and write your personal statement/motivation and the required essays
- 4
List the names of your two references - one professor at your institution and one academic supervisor, advisor or mentor
- 5
Submit your application before the annual closing date (the 2025/2026 round closed on 19 December 2025)
- 6
If shortlisted, provide your academic transcripts and recommendation letters when requested
- 7
Await the selection outcome and, if successful, take part in the required STEM outreach activities to receive the full award
Required Documents
- 📄 Completed online application form
- 📄 Personal statement / motivation
- 📄 Required application essays
- 📄 Names and details of two references (one professor at your institution, one academic supervisor, advisor or mentor)
- 📄 Academic transcripts (only after shortlisting)
- 📄 Recommendation letters from your two references (only after shortlisting)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can South African students apply for the WAAW Foundation Scholarship?
- Yes. Although the WAAW Foundation is a pan-African scholarship and not South Africa-exclusive, it is explicitly open to South African women studying at South African universities. South Africa is one of the 10 African countries where WAAW runs campus programmes.
- How much is the WAAW Foundation Scholarship worth?
- It is a one-time award of USD 500 (about R9,000), paid in two installments. The second installment is typically released once you have completed the foundation's required STEM outreach activities. It is not a renewable, multi-year bursary.
- Who is eligible for the WAAW Foundation Scholarship?
- Female students of African origin who are under 32, studying a first undergraduate Bachelor's degree in a STEM field at an African university, and in their 1st or 2nd year (or 3rd year of a 5-year course). You must show financial need and a strong academic record. Pharmacy is eligible, but Medical and Nursing students are not, and postgraduate study (Master's, MBA, PhD) is not funded.
- When does the WAAW Foundation Scholarship open and close?
- It runs on an annual cycle. Applications typically open around November each year, and the 2025/2026 round closed on 19 December 2025. The next cycle is expected to open around November 2026 - check waawfoundation.org/scholarship/ for the confirmed dates.
When do 2027 applications open?
WAAW Foundation - Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (self-administered via its online scholarship portal) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.
The last recorded window closed on 19 December 2025. Treat that as a guide to timing only — confirm the 2027 dates with WAAW Foundation - Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (self-administered via its online scholarship portal) before you rely on them.
Check WAAW Foundation - Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (self-administered via its online scholarship portal)'s official siteNeed help? Contact WAAW Foundation - Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (self-administered via its online scholarship portal):
Information verified 2025-12-19. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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