The Mike Brown Scholarship for South African Students
DEADLINE: 16 February 2025
Nedbank, through its Eyethu Community Trust, is offering a full scholarship opportunity. If you are interested, please refer to the attached documents for an overview and the application form.
Overview of the Mike Brown Scholarship
The Mike Brown Scholarship addresses South Africa’s critical shortage of skilled professionals by focusing on postgraduate qualifications towards the attainment of scarce and critical skills such as information technology, engineering, and healthcare. These competencies are essential for the nation’s economic growth and global competitiveness. The scholarship aims to produce highly qualified graduates who can drive innovation and progress in key sectors, fostering the country’s overall development. Applicants are encouraged to apply and contribute to shaping South Africa’s future.
Financial support
The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support covering the following:
- Tuition fees.
- Accommodation.
- Meals.
- Learning materials.
- Equipment (such as laptops).
- Opportunities for international study, with travel and accommodation costs covered.
- A fixed stipend for daily living expenses.
- Psychosocial support and mentorship from top leaders to enhance guidance, inspiration and professional networking opportunities, expanding leadership skills and career prospects.
Eligibility criteria
- Academic qualifications
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record (average mark of 65% and above 60% in each course).
- Preference is given to candidates pursuing postgraduate qualifications in scarce and critical skill areas (for example IT, engineering, healthcare).
- Demographics
Preference is given to individuals of African, Indian, and Coloured descent to promote diversity and inclusion.
- Citizenship
Must be South African citizens.
- Financial need
Must demonstrate financial need, supported by valid documents indicating household income.
- Commitment to development
Show a commitment to South Africa’s economic growth and social development, especially in underserved areas.
- Personal attributes
Exhibit leadership potential, innovation, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their chosen fields.
- University admission
Must have obtained admission to a South African public university or university of technology for the postgraduate qualification (honours or master’s).
- Leadership potential
Evidence of leadership abilities or potential.
- Community involvement
Proven track record of community involvement or social impact initiatives.
- Additional requirements
Participation in interviews and providing letters of recommendation.
Supporting documents required
- Identity document
Certified copy of your South African ID.
- Academic transcripts
Most recent academic transcript, including the results of the last academic year and the current mid-year results if applicable.
- Financial checks affidavit
Signed by the applicant and their parent(s) or guardian(s).
- Income and expenditure statement
Completed statement for the applicant’s combined household income.
- Certified copies
- IDs of all income-earning parents or guardians.
- Recent payslips or letters of employment (not older than 3 months) of parents or guardians.
- Home loan account statement and city or town council rates and taxes statement (not older than 3 months) of parents or guardians.
- IRP5, IT3 and IT12 forms for the past 2 years if parents or guardians earn commission only.
- Pension slip or bank statement (not older than 3 months) for other income forms (pension, grant, maintenance, rent, or interest from investments) of parents and guardians.
- Latest 3 months’ bank statements of parents, guardians, and the applicant.
Assessments and interviews
- Shortlisted applicants will undergo psychometric and other assessments and attend a virtual interview.
Potential qualifications considered to advance scarce and critical skills
- Advanced manufacturing and robotics
Robotics engineering, advanced manufacturing systems, industrial automation, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, data analytics, big data management, predictive modelling.
- Environmental and sustainability studies
Environmental management, sustainable development, renewable energy systems.
- Healthcare and biomedical sciences
Biomedical engineering, clinical research, health informatics, medical specialisation (e.g. oncology, cardiology), nursing, pharmacology, public health.
- Engineering and technology
Aerospace engineering, nanotechnology, telecommunications engineering.
- Business and financial services
Financial engineering, risk management, international business.
- Agricultural sciences
Agronomy, agricultural biotechnology, food security.
- Education and training
Educational leadership, curriculum development, special education, STEM education, educational technology.
- Public policy and administration
Public health policy, urban planning, international development.
- Engineering
Electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, renewable energy engineering.
- Environmental science
Environmental engineering, conservation science, climate change analysis, sustainable development.
- Information and communication technology (ICT)
Cybersecurity, cloud computing, software development, network engineering, IT project management.
- Finance and accounting
Chartered accountancy, financial analysis, actuarial science, risk management, investment banking.
Submission and screening process
- Submission
Only applications submitted to the bursary office of your university will be considered.
- Completeness
Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
- Screening
Applications will be screened and shortlisted based on the qualifying criteria listed above.
Nedbank, through its Eyethu Community Trust, is offering a full scholarship opportunity. If you are interested, please refer to the attached documents for an overview and the application form.
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