Verified
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Phambili Trust is a broad-based black economic empowerment trust whose goal is to help black students develop academically and empower themselves through educational enrichment bursaries. Phambili means “forward” in isiZulu and isiXhosa.
- Registered name
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Phambili Trust
- Type
- B-BBEE trust (education bursaries)
- Fields funded
- STEM fields at South African tertiary institutions
- Website
- tfsphambilitrust.co.za
- Phone
- 011 403 1632 (StudyTrust)
Linked to a global science company
Thermo Fisher Scientific is one of the world’s largest suppliers of laboratory equipment, scientific instruments, reagents and services, used in hospitals, universities, pharmaceutical companies and research laboratories. The Phambili Trust was established by LTC Tech SA, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s South African partner, and operates as a distinct, independently administered trust rather than a direct programme of the multinational, according to a provider record checked in August 2026.
Why STEM
Laboratory science underpins healthcare, mining, food safety, water quality and research, yet black South Africans remain under-represented among scientists and engineers. The Phambili Trust focuses its bursaries on students pursuing studies or skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at South African tertiary institutions. The provider record says the Trust has disbursed several million rand in bursary funding since its establishment.
What the bursary covers
The Phambili Trust bursary mainly covers tuition fees and living costs. If excess funds remain in a student’s bursary at the institution, the Trust can cover further costs related to the student’s studies. The bursary is renewable on application, subject to eligibility and academic performance, and applicants must come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and show financial need.
Now run by StudyTrust
The Phambili Trust has appointed StudyTrust as the administrator and manager of its bursary. StudyTrust now handles all applications, enquiries and communication. The Trust no longer accepts hard copy applications, and incomplete or late applications are not accepted.
Applications for 2027 opened on 1 May 2026 and are managed through StudyTrust, whose application season closes on 30 September 2026.
How to research the Phambili Trust
Read the Trust’s updates on its website, then apply through StudyTrust’s platform rather than emailing forms. Explore Thermo Fisher Scientific’s products to understand the kind of laboratory work STEM graduates do, and explain in your motivation which scientific field interests you.
Because the bursary is renewable only on application, keep strong results and reapply on time each year.
Also look at the Sage bursary, which StudyTrust also administers.
🎓 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)
