Unleash your potential to deliver impact

Impembelelo – derived from the South African language, isiXhosa – means ‘impact’.

It is our hope that through the Trust we can drive meaningful change. The Impembelelo bursary programme provides financial assistance to young individuals to pursue their academic goals and prepares them for a purposeful career in supporting the path to a better South Africa.

Applications will open on 1 August 2025

About the Impembelelo Trust

The Impembelelo Trust invests in the youth of South Africa’s access to further education. We believe education is the cornerstone towards individual development and future success. Our bursary programme provides financial support for students that would like to study in the fields of sciences, engineering, sustainability and the built environment.

As South Africa faces a skills shortage within these industries, our goal is to bridge this gap by encouraging a creative problem-solving and critical-thinking youth. The bursary programme also provides an opportunity for beneficiaries pursuing a career in sustainability to receive relevant experience at the Carbon Trust, a global climate consultancy.


Our vision:

An empowered youth motivated by education to address and provide solutions to South Africa’s challenges and ultimately contribute to a prosperous society.

Our mission:

We address the skills gap in South Africa by investing in and supporting the youth to access further education through financial support. We empower young people to become the drivers of our nation's success and improved wellbeing.

The Impembelelo Trust values:

Collaboration


We build a goal-oriented relationship with our beneficiaries to maintain meaningful progress.

Impact-driven


We drive educational ambition to inspire growth, development and a secure future amongst the youth.

Diversity and inclusion


We acknowledge and embrace the diversity of our country and strive to ensure inclusivity for all.

Excellence


We balance rigour with agile and flexible responses to ensure we meet change with adaptability and perseverance.

Application criteria

Discover our eligibility requirements for the Impembelelo Trust bursary.

Application criteria

How to apply

Discover everything you need to know about how to apply for the Impembelelo Trust bursary.

How to apply

"Your support towards my future is truly inspiring and much appreciated. I am humbled by your generosity and hopefully, in time I will be in a position to give back as well."

- Chantal Jansen Impembelelo Trust bursary recipient

"I’m studying what I’ve always dreamed of: psychology, at the IIE Varsity Sandton, an opportunity I owe to the Carbon Trust foundation. Without them my dream of providing help to those in need would have remained just a dream. Instead, they turned it into reality. Once again, thank you the Carbon Trust for the opportunity you provided me with!"

- Ukho Asenathi Handula Impembelelo Trust bursary recipient

"Without this support, I would not have been able to continue my studies. This funding has given me hope and the opportunity to pursue my dreams."

- Student, The Strenue Trust Impembelelo Trust bursary recipient

Application timeline:

August

Applications open

Application submission requests to go out to all bursary platforms and universities.

Applications to be uploaded on online platform, and screening to start.

November

Applications close

Applications close on the 15th of the month.

Screening of prospective beneficiaries to close by month-end.

December

Shortlisted beneficiaries notified

Shortlisted beneficiaries to be notified, subject to final year marks and overall performance.

January-February

Bursaries awarded

Top 5 bursary applicants to be interviewed.

Bursaries to be awarded.

Payment of registration fees and first term study fees to be made to educational institutions.


Once you've read through our guidance on eligibility and how to apply, please submit your application with all the required documentation.

Applications will open on 1 August 2025.


The Impembelelo Trust is an educational trust which operates under the Carbon Trust Africa.

The Carbon Trust is a global climate consultancy driven by its mission to accelerate the move to a decarbonised future. Building upon more than 20 years of global experience, it partners with businesses, governments and financial institutions to progress their climate action.

In 2016, the Carbon Trust expanded to Africa to drive carbon reductions and promote sustainability within this region.

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