Forge Academy Bursary Requirements and How to Apply

Forge Academy & Labs is a South African training provider focused on Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills—digital marketing, information technology, networking, cloud & cybersecurity, virtual/augmented reality and more.

The bursary competition they run is designed to give young people access to online and short-duration courses in these high-demand fields.

Eligibility requirements for the Forge Academy Bursary

From the most recent cycle:

  1. Must be a South African citizen.
  2. Must have completed Matric (Grade 12 certificate).
  3. Must have internet access and be computer-literate.
  4. For some cycles, age requirements apply (for example: between 25-35 years old) and minimum work experience (e.g., at least 1 year) were specified.
  5. Applicants choose from specific online courses offered by Forge Academy (digital marketing, IT/networking, etc).

Application process for the Forge Academy Bursary

  1. The bursary is a competition-style grant (e.g., 5 fully funded places) rather than a typical multi-year tertiary bursary.
  2. Applicants complete the online application form via Forge Academy’s website/bursary page.
  3. Supporting documents include: certified copy of ID, Matric certificate, copy of proof of employment (if employed) or proof of unemployment, motivational letter (one page) explaining why you are applying and how it aligns with your career aspirations.
  4. After submission, shortlisted candidates may be required to complete an online skills test/aptitude assessment.
  5. Selected winners are awarded course access (or full bursary for the selected online programme) and may begin their course as soon as enrollment is arranged.

Closing date for the Forge Academy Bursary

Applications were open from 1 June to 16 June 2026.

Because the bursary is competition-based and announced around Youth Month (June), for 2026 applicants should monitor Forge Academy’s website and social media for the official opening and closing dates.

Contact details for the Forge Academy Bursary

The offer is targeted at upskilling in digital & IT disciplines rather than full traditional tertiary degrees—beneficial for candidates wanting to enter or upskill within the tech-sector.

Because the bursary is via competition and for a limited number of places (e.g., 5 fully funded spots), the field of competition is smaller but still selective.

Applicants should ensure they meet the specific age-, experience- and computer-literacy criteria for the current cycle, as these have been specified in past cycles and may change.

If you are seeking funding for a full multi-year degree programme, this bursary may not cover that; rather it covers specific short/online accredited courses at Forge Academy.

As with all bursaries, submit early, ensure you have certified copies of documents, and provide a strong motivation letter that links your career goals to the offered course.

FAQs

1
Who can apply for the Forge Academy bursary?
2
Which courses are covered by the bursary?
3
Is the bursary open year-round?
4
What documents are required to apply?
5
How are winners selected?
6
Is there a fixed closing date?
7
Does the bursary fund full degrees?

No. It does not appear to fund full multi-year degrees; it covers selected online/short-course programmes at Forge Academy.

8
What happens if I don’t have one year of work experience?
9
Where can I find the application form?

Download the application form or compete via the bursary link on the Forge Academy website during the bursary campaign launch.

10
Who do I contact for questions?

Contact Forge Academy at phone 010 880 3795 or email hello@forgeacademy.co.za.

🎓 Download Our Bursary Application Checklist

Download our free Application Checklist to make sure you do not miss any required documents. Submitting a complete application is key to being shortlisted.

📥 Download Checklist (PDF)