Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme 2026 for young South Africans. – Scholarship Opportunities

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Application Deadline: January 24, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme. The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a government-backed initiative in South Africa designed to promote teaching as a career. Its core goal is to attract capable, committed young people into the teaching profession — especially in subject areas that are currently under-resourced in public schools. Recipients of the bursary are required to teach in a public school for the same number of years that they were funded.

Requirements

To qualify for the Funza Lushaka bursary, applicants must meet several eligibility criteria:

• Be a South African citizen with a valid ID number.
• Be under the age of 30 (for first-time applicants).
• Be accepted or provisionally accepted into an approved Bachelor of Education (BEd) or, in certain cases, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme.
• Specialise in two or more designated priority subject areas.
• Demonstrate academic competence and show commitment to the teaching profession.
• Not already hold a teaching qualification.

First-time applicants must not be older than 30, and any application submitted late will not be considered. The programme does not fund extended or part-time programmes unless they meet the minimum stipulated period.

Priority Subject Areas

Funza Lushaka gives preferential support to teaching in subjects where teacher shortages have been identified. The priority areas include:

• Foundation Phase (Grades R–3) — with preference for South African Indigenous Languages
• Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6) — with emphasis on languages, natural sciences and technology
• Senior and Further Education & Training (FET, Grades 7–12) — priority subjects include Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Computer Applications, Engineering Graphics and Design, Agricultural Sciences, and more

Not all teaching degrees or subjects qualify. For example, subjects considered oversupplied (such as Geography, History, Economics, Physical Education) are usually excluded from funding. Also, only PGCE programmes for the Senior Phase and FET (Grades 7–12) are funded under certain conditions.

Benefits

The Funza Lushaka bursary is intended to relieve financial pressures on student teachers. It may include:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation and meals
• Books and learning materials
• Teaching practice costs
• In some cases, a small living allowance

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

Applying for the Funza Lushaka bursary is done online, and first-time applicants must follow these steps:

• Review and accept a declaration confirming your details.
• Visit the e-Gov portal and register by supplying required personal information.
• Login using the username and password created during registration.
• In the e-Services menu, select the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme.
• Enter the one-time password (OTP) received via your preferred communication channel.
• Accept the Terms and Conditions.
• On your dashboard, click on the application button (e.g., “2026 application”) when open.
• Fill out all required fields accurately and completely.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme