Babette Taute Scholarship 2027, Requirements & Application

The late Babette Taute left most of her estate to a trust for students of English at South African universities. The Babette Taute Trust, administered by Sanlam Trust, awards a number of Honours scholarships every year to the strongest English students in the country. It is one of the very few scholarships dedicated to the humanities, and it looks beyond marks to writing talent, teaching and cultural leadership.

About the Babette Taute Honours Scholarship

  • Value: R50 000 for a full-time, one-year Honours programme in 2027, paid through the university where you study.
  • Field: any branch of English language and literature, including applied language studies.
  • Other funding: you may hold other awards, but the total may not exceed R120 000. If it does, the Trust reduces its scholarship to bring you within the cap, and you must tell the Trust about any further grants you receive.

Babette Taute Scholarship eligibility requirements

  • South African citizen or permanent resident.
  • Registering for a full-time, one-year Honours in English at a South African university in 2027.
  • A fine academic record. Awards are made on merit, broadly interpreted, so the trustees also weigh leadership in cultural or social areas, the quality of your writing and publications, and excellence as a teacher of English, translator, interpreter or scriptwriter.

How to apply for the Babette Taute Scholarship

  1. Get the application form from your Department of English or financial aid office, or request it from Lauren Smidt at lauren.smidt@sanlamtrust.co.za, copying naaznien.parker@sanlamtrust.co.za.
  2. Complete the form, including a 100-word outline of the Honours course you will register for and how it fits the Trust’s focus on English, and a declaration of any other funding you have applied for.
  3. Attach: a scan of your ID or proof of permanent residence; a one- to two-page CV highlighting your academic and other achievements over the past two or three years; a piece of writing of no more than 500 words in any genre that shows your talent (not a rewrite of your CV); an up-to-date official transcript or certified copy; and any other evidence of merit such as awards or teaching and translation work.
  4. Ask two academic referees who can speak to your ability as a student of English to send confidential reports directly to the Trust by 20 November 2026, using the subject line “Babette Taute 2027 Reference: Your Surname”. Give each referee the Trust’s referee letter with your details filled in, and ask them to confirm to you by email that they have submitted.
  5. Email your application to the two addresses above with the subject line “Babette Taute 2027 Application/Query: Your Surname”. Applications without this subject line are not processed, and incomplete applications, including those missing referee reports, are not considered.
  6. Send your final 2026 results by 30 November 2026, or at least your final English mark endorsed by your department if official results are not out.

Babette Taute Scholarship closing date

Applications and referee reports for 2027 must be received by 20 November 2026. Final results are due by 30 November 2026. The Trust uses a closing date in the third week of November every year.

Contact details

Because the R120 000 cap allows you to combine awards, apply for university Honours bursaries and NRF funding as well. See our postgraduate bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the Babette Taute scholarship close for 2027? +
20 November 2026. Applications and both referee reports must reach the Trust by that date, and final results by 30 November 2026. Outcomes are announced early in December 2026.
2. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens or permanent residents registering for a full-time, one-year Honours in any branch of English language or literature, including applied language studies, at a South African university, with a fine academic record.
3. How much is the award? +
R50 000 for the Honours year, paid through the university. Holders may accept other awards as long as the total does not exceed R120 000; the Trust reduces its scholarship if necessary.
4. How is selection done? +
On merit, broadly interpreted: academic results first, but also leadership in cultural or social activities, the quality of your writing and publications, and excellence as a teacher of English or a translator.
5. What do I submit? +
The application form, a one- to two-page CV, a piece of writing of up to 500 words in any genre, your official transcript, any other evidence of merit, and the details of two academic referees who send confidential reports directly to the Trust.
6. Where do I send it? +
By email to Lauren Smidt at lauren.smidt@sanlamtrust.co.za, copying naaznien.parker@sanlamtrust.co.za, with the subject line 'Babette Taute 2027 Application/Query: Your Surname'. Emails without that subject line are not processed.
Update note (checked September 2026): the Trust issued its call for the 2027 academic year on 27 July 2026. Applications are open and close on 20 November 2026. Each scholarship is worth R50 000. Outcomes will be announced early in December 2026.

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