Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed Closed 15 August 2026
- Provider
- Ada & Bertie Levenstein
- Study level
- Postgraduate
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
The round advertised for 2027 study closed on 15 August 2026.
VerifiedClosed · applications closed on 15 August 2026 Dates differ slightly between the universities that administer it, so check with your own postgraduate funding office and watch its pages between June and August 2027 for the next round. Latest update ↓
The Ada & Bertie Levenstein Bursary is a private trust award for postgraduate students, administered through university funding offices rather than by the trust directly. Rhodes University handles the best-known version, and the bursary has also been advertised at the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Western Cape.
About the Ada & Bertie Levenstein Bursary
- Value: recent rounds advertised R50 000 a year for master’s candidates, confirmed in the award letter.
- Levels: honours, master’s and doctoral candidates.
- Fields: some rounds have been open to all fields, others limited to medical and health sciences, natural sciences, information technology and interdisciplinary research related to those areas.
Eligibility requirements
- South African postgraduate student registered at a participating university.
- A strong academic record.
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Studying in a field the year’s advert covers.
How to apply
- Check your university’s postgraduate funding pages between June and August for the Levenstein advert.
- Complete the application form or online link published in that advert, with your academic record, proof of registration, a research summary and proof of household income.
- Submit through your postgraduate funding office before the closing date.
Closing date
15 August 2026 in the round advertised for 2027. Confirm with your own university.
Contact details
- Your university’s postgraduate funding office (Rhodes University: 046 603 8111).
Postgraduates should also apply to the DSI-NRF postgraduate scholarship, the Canon Collins RMTF scholarship and see our postgraduate bursaries page.
FAQs
1. When does the Ada & Bertie Levenstein bursary close for 2027? +
15 August 2026 in the round advertised for 2027 study. Dates differ slightly between the universities that administer it, so check with your own postgraduate funding office.
2. What is the bursary? +
A private trust bursary for postgraduate study, administered through university postgraduate funding offices, notably Rhodes University, and advertised at the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Western Cape.
3. How much is it? +
Recent rounds advertised R50 000 a year for master's candidates. The value is confirmed in the award letter.
4. Which levels and fields? +
Honours, master's and doctoral candidates. Some rounds have been open to all fields, others limited to medical and health sciences, natural sciences, information technology and interdisciplinary research related to those fields.
5. Who qualifies? +
South African postgraduate students registered at a participating university, with a strong academic record and demonstrated financial need.
6. How do I apply? +
Through your university's postgraduate funding office, using the application form and online link published in that year's advert. Watch your institution's funding pages between June and August.
Update note (checked September 2026): the round advertised for 2027 study closed on 15 August 2026. Dates differ slightly between the universities that administer it, so check with your own postgraduate funding office and watch its pages between June and August 2027 for the next round.
This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.
Visit the provider’s website