FEM Bursary Programme 2026: Financial Support for South Africa’s Future Engineers, Builders, and Health Professionals
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Applications for the 2026 Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) Bursary are open until 15 November 2025. The programme supports South African students in Engineering, Built Environment, and Health Sciences with full funding for tuition, books, and living expenses.
Building Skills for a Safer, Smarter South Africa
Education remains one of the most critical investments in South Africa’s future. However, financial challenges continue to hold back many talented students from completing their studies. The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) is stepping in once again with its 2026 Bursary Programme, designed to support financially needy but academically deserving students in key developmental sectors — Engineering, Built Environment, and Health Sciences.
This bursary represents FEM’s broader mission to develop a skilled workforce that can enhance workplace safety, infrastructure quality, and health outcomes across South Africa.
What Is the FEM Bursary Programme?
The FEM Bursary Programme provides full financial assistance to deserving undergraduate students studying in high-demand disciplines at public universities. The goal is to enable students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete their degrees and enter professions that contribute meaningfully to the country’s social and economic growth.
Through this initiative, FEM continues its long-standing commitment to education, transformation, and skills development in industries vital to South Africa’s progress.
Study Fields Covered in 2026
For the 2026 academic year, FEM will fund undergraduate studies in the following areas:
- Engineering (all disciplines)
- Built Environment, including:
- Architecture
- Quantity Surveying
- Construction Management
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Health Sciences
These fields have been prioritised due to their direct contribution to improving infrastructure, occupational safety, and public well-being — all areas where skilled professionals are in high demand.
What the FEM Bursary Covers
The FEM Bursary is one of the most comprehensive in South Africa, providing full financial support that helps students focus on their academic performance rather than financial stress.
The bursary covers:
- Full tuition fees at an accredited public university
- Prescribed textbooks and study materials
- Monthly living stipend to cover personal and academic expenses
- Accommodation and meals, depending on financial need and availability
This all-inclusive support helps ensure that beneficiaries are not burdened by hidden or additional study costs.
Who Qualifies for the FEM Bursary?
The FEM bursary is open to South African citizens who are academically strong and financially disadvantaged. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be studying full-time toward an undergraduate qualification in Engineering, Built Environment, or Health Sciences.
- Must have completed at least their first year of study (first-year and postgraduate students are not eligible).
- Must be enrolled at a public university in South Africa.
- Must have a combined household income of less than R360,000 per year.
- Must have an excellent academic record.
- Must be in good financial standing with their university (no outstanding fees).
- Must demonstrate financial need and come from a disadvantaged background.
The selection process focuses on both academic potential and socio-economic circumstances, ensuring fair access to education for deserving candidates.
Required Supporting Documents
To ensure your application is complete, you must upload certified copies (not older than 3 months) of the following documents:
- South African ID (certified copy)
- Latest academic transcript or progress report
- Certified ID copies of parents or guardians
- Proof of income:
- Payslips or recent bank statements (if employed)
- Affidavit (if unemployed or informal worker)
- Proof of SASSA grant or pension (if applicable)
- Death certificate (if a parent is deceased)
- Divorce decree (if parents are divorced)
- Proof of registration for any siblings or dependents studying at tertiary level
Applications that are incomplete or missing documentation will not be considered.
How to Apply for the FEM Bursary 2026
Applications are only accepted online through the FEM bursary portal.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official FEM bursary application page:
https://fembursaries.simplify.hr/Vacancy/156683 - Complete the online application form with your correct personal and academic information.
- Upload all required supporting documents.
- Review your application carefully before submitting.
- Submit before 15 November 2025.
Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not receive a response within eight weeks after the closing date, your application should be considered unsuccessful.
Why the FEM Bursary Matters
South Africa continues to face a shortage of engineers, construction experts, and healthcare professionals. These skills are crucial for national growth, yet many capable students struggle to afford university education.
FEM’s bursary addresses this challenge by providing full financial support and promoting inclusivity within these vital industries. The programme also contributes to broader national goals such as:
- Reducing youth unemployment through education and skills development.
- Promoting diversity in high-demand sectors.
- Supporting the National Development Plan (NDP 2030) by increasing the number of qualified professionals.
Expert View: Education as a Catalyst for National Development
According to higher education analysts, bursary programmes like FEM’s play a pivotal role in transforming South Africa’s workforce. By targeting technical and health-related disciplines, FEM ensures that its funding produces graduates who can directly impact economic infrastructure and community well-being.
In sectors like construction, engineering, and health, South Africa faces both a skills gap and a transformation gap. FEM’s bursary helps close both — by providing opportunities for students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds to join and thrive in these fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can first-year students apply for the FEM bursary?
A: No. Only students who have completed at least their first year of study may apply.
Q: Are private university students eligible?
A: No. FEM funds students enrolled only at public universities in South Africa.
Q: Does the bursary cover postgraduate or master’s studies?
A: No. The bursary is limited to undergraduate qualifications.
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: All applications must be submitted online by 15 November 2025.
Q: Will FEM fund students with existing debt?
A: Applicants must be in good financial standing with their university to qualify.
Why You Should Apply
If you are a hardworking South African student pursuing a degree in Engineering, Built Environment, or Health Sciences, this bursary could be the opportunity that changes your life. Beyond funding, the FEM bursary is about empowering individuals to become leaders and innovators in industries that build the nation.
By removing financial barriers, FEM ensures that talent — not income — determines success.
Final Thoughts
The FEM Bursary Programme 2026 continues to be one of South Africa’s most impactful education support initiatives. It combines academic merit, financial need, and a commitment to social transformation into one opportunity that truly changes lives.
Students who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply early, ensure their documents are in order, and seize this chance to study without financial stress.
Closing Date: 15 November 2025
