WAAW Foundation Scholarship 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Check with the provider
Provider: WAAW Foundation
Field of study: Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Pharmacy
Study level: Undergraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

WAAW had not published its next deadline when we checked.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

The WAAW Foundation, short for Working to Advance African Women, supports women studying science, technology, engineering and maths across Africa. Its scholarship helps female undergraduates pay for university and connects them to mentors and outreach work.

About the WAAW Foundation Scholarship

For female undergraduates in STEM at African universities.
A scholarship towards university costs, usually up to about US$1 000 a year.
Mentoring through WAAW’s scholarship mentorship programme.

Eligibility requirements

A woman studying at a university in Africa, including South Africa.
Enrolled in a STEM undergraduate course.
A strong academic record and financial need.
Willing to volunteer with WAAW’s STEM outreach.

How to apply

Visit waawfoundation.org when the scholarship opens.
Prepare your transcript, proof of enrolment and essays about your goals and need.
Submit the online application before the deadline.

Closing date

30 November in the last cycle. The next date is not yet published.

Contact details

Email: scholarship@waawfoundation.org

Women in STEM should also see the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science grant, the Generation Google scholarship and the For Coloured Girls bursary.

FAQs

1. When does the WAAW Foundation scholarship close for the 2026/2027 cycle? +

WAAW had not published its next deadline when we checked. The last cycle opened in mid-September and closed on 30 November, so check waawfoundation.org from September 2026.

2. What is the WAAW Foundation? +

Working to Advance African Women, a non-profit founded in 2007 that promotes STEM education for African girls and women through scholarships, mentoring, university chapters and teacher training.

3. Who qualifies? +

Female undergraduate students at universities in Africa, including South Africa, studying a STEM course, with financial need and a strong academic record.

4. What does it offer? +

A scholarship towards university costs, usually up to about US$1 000 a year, plus mentoring through WAAW's scholarship mentorship programme.

5. Are there obligations? +

Scholars are expected to volunteer with WAAW's outreach programmes, such as STEM mentoring for girls.

6. How do I apply? +

Online through the WAAW Foundation's own website during the application window.

Update note (checked September 2026): WAAW Foundation’s scholarship page says applications are closed and to check back in November 2026. No closing date for the next cycle had been published when we checked. Source: waawfoundation.org.

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About WAAW Foundation

International non-profit (STEM education for African women)

WAAW Foundation, short for Working to Advance Science and Technology Education for African Women, is an international non-profit founded in 2007. WAAW is headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, and registered in the United States, Rwanda and South Africa. Its…

Read the full WAAW Foundation profile →

Address: Abuja, Nigeria
Phone: +234 909 677 4358
Email: inquiries@waawfoundation.org
Website: waawfoundation.org

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.