MAD Leadership Foundation Scholarship 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications open Closes 31 December 2026
Provider: MAD Leadership Foundation
Study level: Undergraduate, High school
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

Applications for the 2027 scholarships closed on 26 July 2026, extended to 2 August 2026.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Open · closes 31 December 2026 · 97 days left Latest update ↓

The Make a Difference (MAD) Leadership Foundation was founded in 2003 to find young South Africans with leadership potential from low-income families and support them from high school through university. Its scholars receive not only fees but mentorship, leadership development and psychosocial support, and the foundation follows each scholar until they graduate and find work.

The three MAD Leadership scholarships

High School Scholarship: for learners in Grade 8 at a public school who will enter Grade 9 the following year. Covers school fees, uniforms, books and, where needed, boarding at a partner school, through to Matric and then university.
STEM or Commerce Scholarship: for matriculants and first-year students studying science, technology, engineering, mathematics or commerce at a recognised South African institution.
Mike Ilsley Memorial Scholarship: run with the FEM Education Foundation for first- and second-year students on the chartered accountant (CA(SA)) route.

All three include mentorship, leadership camps, career guidance and wellness support for the duration of the scholarship.

MAD Leadership Foundation Scholarship eligibility requirements

All applicants must be South African citizens from households with a total gross income of no more than R35 000 a month, and must show leadership at school and involvement in community service. In addition:

High school: currently in Grade 8 at a public school, with basic English proficiency and good results.
STEM or commerce: in Matric or completed Matric, with an overall average of at least 65%, and accepted or intending to study a STEM or commerce degree.
CA(SA): completed Matric with at least 70% in financial accounting, and registered for first or second year of a SAICA-accredited accounting degree.

How to apply

When the round opens, complete the online application form for your scholarship on madleadership.org.
Upload certified copies of: your ID (or birth certificate if under 16); your most recent results and the previous year’s final results; your parents’ or guardians’ IDs, or death certificates, if you are under 18; and proof of household income such as payslips, an affidavit or SASSA documents.
Shortlisted applicants complete psychometric and leadership assessments, and finalists are interviewed before awards are confirmed.

MAD Leadership Foundation Scholarship closing date

The 2027 round closed on 2 August 2026. The 2028 closing date has not been announced; the foundation usually closes applications in late July.

Contact details

Email: applications@madleadership.org
Telephone, SMS or WhatsApp: 082 313 9014 (weekdays 9am to 4pm; allow three to five working days for a reply)
Website: www.madleadership.org

Learners who missed this round should look at the other programmes on our list of high school bursaries and scholarships in South Africa.

FAQs

1. Is the MAD Leadership scholarship still open for 2027? +

No. The 2027 round closed on 26 July 2026, extended to 2 August 2026. Shortlisted candidates are being assessed now, with feedback by 31 December 2026 (high school and STEM/commerce) and 27 February 2027 (CA). The 2028 round is expected to open around May 2027.

2. What scholarships does MAD offer? +

Three: a high school scholarship for learners entering Grade 9, a STEM or commerce scholarship for first-year university students, and the Mike Ilsley Memorial scholarship, with the FEM Education Foundation, for first- and second-year chartered accountancy students.

3. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens from households earning no more than R35 000 a month, with leadership potential and community involvement. High school applicants must be at a public school; STEM and commerce applicants need a 65% average; CA applicants need at least 70% in financial accounting.

4. What does the scholarship cover? +

School or university fees, books, uniforms or study material, and where needed boarding or accommodation, plus mentorship, leadership camps and psychosocial support until the scholar graduates.

5. How do I apply? +

Online through the MAD Leadership Foundation's application forms, uploading certified copies of your ID or birth certificate, your latest results and previous year's final results, your parents' IDs and proof of household income.

6. Who do I contact? +

applications@madleadership.org, or 082 313 9014 by call, SMS or WhatsApp on weekdays from 9am to 4pm.

Update note (checked September 2026): applications for the 2027 scholarships closed on 26 July 2026, extended to 2 August 2026. Shortlisted candidates are now completing psychometric and leadership assessments. Feedback is due by 31 December 2026 for the high school and STEM/commerce scholarships and by 27 February 2027 for the chartered accountancy scholarship. The 2028 round is expected to open around May 2027.

Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.

Apply on the provider’s website

About MAD Leadership Foundation

Non-profit organisation (education and leadership)

The Make A Difference (MAD) Leadership Foundation grew out of a promise. In 1995 President Nelson Mandela presented the Rugby World Cup to Springbok captain Francois Pienaar at Ellis Park, and the two men stayed friends. When Pienaar…

Read the full MAD Leadership Foundation profile →

Address: Bateleur Office Park, Unit 4, 3 Pasita Street, Rosenpark, Bellville, Cape Town, 7550
Phone: +27 82 933 6137
Email: info@madleadership.org
Website: madleadership.org