Tom Queba and Pegasys Scholarships for Social Change

Canon Collins Trust in partnership with Tom Queba Memorial Fund and Pegasys invites applications for scholarships for Honours and Masters study at South African universities in 2027. We will provide funding for up to a maximum of two years and an opportunity to enhance your academic and leadership skills through organised events. Across all our scholarships, our scholars demonstrate the potential to drive change towards just and equitable civil societies. The overriding requirement of the scholarship is that the proposed study contributes directly to social and/or environmental development, and particularly to the betterment of lives and livelihoods of the poorest people in South Africa.

We will award scholarships for social change within the following areas:

• Justice
• Education
• Humanities and the Arts
• Sciences and Applied Sciences

Are you eligible?

You should,

• In terms of definitions provided in South African BEE law, be a black or coloured South African national residing in South Africa
• be under 34 years of age at the commencement of your course
• be in possession of a good first degree (minimum second class, upper division or equivalent) or about to graduate in the year of application
• be studying or applying to study at Honours or Masters level at a South African university

Please apply only if you are eligible and meet ALL of the above criteria.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Prohibited

All application materials must be entirely the applicant’s original work.

Using artificial intelligence tools (including but not limited to ChatGPT, Bard, or similar software) to generate, edit, or assist with any part of the application is strictly prohibited.

Any application that includes content created or modified with the help of AI will be immediately disqualified and rejected without further consideration.

 

Please download and read the guidelines carefully before applying for this scholarship.

 

Please apply only if you are eligible and meet ALL of the above criteria.

 

What we offer

In 2026, the value of the scholarship package is R85,000. Funding will be provided for up to a maximum of two years. We support both full and part-time study and will consider applications from those who wish to study by distance learning.

We also organise an annual conference for current scholars, and hold several smaller events throughout the year. Scholarship holders are expected to participate in these activities and to become part of and contribute to our network.

How to apply

We are now open for applications and you can access the online application form here. You will find

full instructions online when you start a new form.

The scholarship application process consists of two stages.

Stage 1

Applicants must complete and submit a short online application by 14 August 2026 at 16:00 SAST.

Only applicants who:

• meet all of the eligibility criteria;
• have submitted a complete application; and
• have uploaded all required supporting documents will be considered for Stage 2.

In stage 1, all applicants are required to upload the following supporting documentation:

• Copy of degree certificates, if available
• All academic transcripts
• ID document (the following are acceptable: passport, birth certificate or driver’s licence)

Stage 2

Applicants who are successful at Stage 1 will be invited to submit a more detailed application in September 2026. Invitations will be sent by email.

Applicants shortlisted following Stage 2 will be invited to interview in October/November 2026. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by mid-December 2026.

All sections of the application form must be completed before the system will allow it to be submitted. Information can be saved and edited until you choose to submit your application.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Applications must represent your own work and your own voice. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools (such as ChatGPT or similar platforms) to draft, write or substantially edit any part of your application is not permitted. We reserve the right to reject any application where we believe AI has been used in preparing the application. Applicants may use standard spelling and grammar checking tools, provided these do not generate or rewrite content.

We are open for applications you will be able to access the online application form here. You will find full instructions online when you start a new form.

Every year, as the deadline approaches, the portal sees a rush of last-minute traffic. That surge can cause technical glitches, slow loading times, or even failed submissions. To save yourself the stress, don’t wait until the final hours. We strongly recommend starting and submitting your application well ahead of the deadline.

Late applications are not accepted, so planning early is the only way to ensure your submission makes it through.

Please follow us on social media @canoncollinstrust and subscribe to the Scholarship Alert for helpful guides to hack your application.

Please do not email us to ask about the outcome of your application. All notifications will be by email so please make sure you provide an accurate email address.

We will be interviewing shortlisted applicants in October/November 2026. We will let you know the outcome of your application in December 2026.

We look forward to receiving your application. Good luck!