The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF), a division of FirstRand Limited, is the 2nd largest corporate foundation in South Africa.
FirstRand Academy Empowerment Foundation (FREF) The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation was founded in 2005 within the framework of First Rand's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). The foundation partners with government to support and fund public benefit projects that are based on B-BBEE principles, ultimately overcoming poverty and inequality. Its management consists largely of black people in terms of the Financial Sector Charter.
FREF’s mission is to ensure that all South Africans have equal access to economic opportunity by encouraging inclusive and sustainable growth. By creating an enabling environment, the foundation seeks to enable snall communities to participate actively in and benefit from the economy of the country.
FIELDS COVERED
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) is calling on qualified applicants to submit their applications for its 2026 Postgraduate Bursary Programme.
We need to fund studies for Bachelor of Honours degree in the fields below:
Accounting • Actuarial Science • Agricultural Sciences • BA Honours Arts (Psychology) • Business Information Climate Sciences • Computer Science • Data Science Economics. Electronics Engineering • Environmental Sciences • Financial Management • Indigenous Knowledge • Systems Information Management • Information Science • Information Systems • Mathematical Science • Statistics
EXPENSES COVERED
This bursary funds:
- Tuition fees
- Book allowance
- Travel and living allowance
- Food vouchers
- Airtime allowance
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Minimum requirements of the candidate:
- Should be a South African Citizen
- Age Limit: 21 to 35 years
- Have COMPLETED Grade 12 with a MINIMUM of 60% in Pure Mathematics (NOT Mathematical Literacy)
- Graduated with a bachelor's degree within the past 18-36 months between an Undergraduate Degree in (2023-2025)
- Minimum of 60.0% on the average in undergraduate studies
- Hold a full-time one-year Honours degree course (first postgraduate qualification)
- Must be enrolled at a South African public university
- Household income may not exceed R700 000 per annum.
HOW TO APPLY
Application is to be done online through the link: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Postgraduate Bursary Application for 2026
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Candidates are required to submit certified clear copies of the following:
- ID document not older than 6 months
- Matric certificate
- Full academic record
- Proof of acceptance or conditional acceptance to a university in 2026
- Household income proof (most recent payslips, affidavit, audited financials or SASSA letter if applicable)
If Disabled: filled in EEA1 form and valid sick note from a doctor
CLOSING DATE: 1 December 2025
CONTACT DETAILS
For more information on the above
bursary for higher education and other enquiries, please contact Feenix (bursary administrators) directly.
Tel: 063 968 7544
Email: support@bursaries.feenix.org
Contact page: https://bursaries.feenix.org/fref/contact-2/