WAAW Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027: $500 for Female African STEM Undergraduates, Closes 18 December - ApexTutorial Blog

<p>The WAAW Foundation (Working to Advance African Women) has opened applications for its 2026/2027 scholarship for female undergraduate students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at universities and colleges in Africa. The award is a one-time payment of $500 to support young African women pursuing STEM education at undergraduate level. Applications opened on Friday 30 October 2026 and close on Friday 18 December 2026. If you are a female STEM undergraduate in your first or second year, or in your third year of a five-year course, apply through the official WAAW Foundation scholarship page before the deadline.</p> <h2>Quick information</h2> <ul> <li>Scholarship: WAAW Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027, one-time award of $500</li> <li>Who it is for: female undergraduate students of African origin, living and studying in Africa</li> <li>Level: Bachelor's degree, first or second year, or third year for a five-year course</li> <li>Courses: STEM-related courses only; Medicine and Nursing are not eligible, Pharmacy students are eligible</li> <li>Age limit: below 32 years</li> <li>Applications opened: Friday 30 October 2026</li> <li>Applications close: Friday 18 December 2026</li> <li>Application route: online form through the official WAAW Foundation scholarship page</li> <li>Application fee: none stated on the official page</li> </ul> <h2>Who can apply</h2> <ul> <li>A female student of African origin, living and studying in Africa.</li> <li>Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree programme at a university or college in Africa.</li> <li>Studying a STEM-related course. Only science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses are accepted.</li> <li>Presently a first or second year student, or a third-year student for a five-year course.</li> <li>Able to demonstrate financial need.</li> <li>An excellent academic record.</li> <li>Proven leadership, volunteering and community service.</li> <li>Below the age of 32 years.</li> </ul> <h2>What the award covers</h2> <ul> <li>A one-time award of $500, paid in the scholar's local currency equivalent.</li> <li>The payment is disbursed in full to the selected scholar's account once the required milestones are fulfilled.</li> <li>Scholars join the WAAW STEM Chapter at their university, or start one where none exists, and take part in at least three of six STEM outreach programmes.</li> <li>Scholars attend at least three monthly Fellows Meet-Up sessions and submit outreach reports using the official Outreach Report Form.</li> <li>Selected scholars take part in a virtual onboarding and orientation programme.</li> </ul> <h2>Documents you will need</h2> <ul> <li>2 reference letters. One must be written by a professor from your institution of study, and the other from an academic supervisor, advisor or mentor.</li> <li>1 scanned copy of your school ID card.</li> <li>A signed and sealed copy of your current university transcript. This is required during the second-stage review.</li> </ul> <h2>How to apply step by step</h2> <ol> <li>Confirm you meet every eligibility criterion above, including your year of study, your STEM course and the age limit.</li> <li>Prepare your personal statement. Be honest and genuine, share your story and why you are passionate about STEM, and highlight your academic achievements, leadership skills and community service, including the challenges you have faced and how you have overcome them.</li> <li>Ask your referees early. You need two reference letters, and one must come from a professor at your institution.</li> <li>Open the official WAAW Foundation scholarship page and use the Apply Now route to complete the online application form.</li> <li>Upload your scanned school ID card and submit the form before Friday 18 December 2026.</li> <li>Keep your signed and sealed university transcript ready for the second-stage review. If you are shortlisted, you will go through reference-letter checks and an individual interview before the award is made.</li> </ol> <h2>Common mistakes to avoid</h2> <ul> <li>Applying for a Medicine or Nursing course. They are not eligible for this scholarship, while Pharmacy students are eligible.</li> <li>Applying as a graduate student or for a second degree. The Foundation does not fund graduate programmes, second or subsequent degrees, or diploma programmes.</li> <li>Applying as a male student. The scholarship is only available to females.</li> <li>Leaving the reference letters until the last week. One letter must come from a professor at your institution, so ask early.</li> <li>Treating the award as funding with no duties attached. Scholars must join the STEM Chapter, complete at least three outreaches and attend the Fellows Meet-Up sessions, or their scholarship payment and recognition as an active scholar can be affected.</li> </ul> <h2>Scam warning</h2> <p>Apply only through the official WAAW Foundation scholarship page and its linked application form. Do not pay any agent who promises to secure this scholarship, and do not pay anyone for a reference letter or an application slot. The Foundation lists the scholarship on its own official website and gives scholarship@waawfoundation.org as the contact for questions. Verify every deadline and requirement on that official page before you share documents.</p> <h2>Important official links</h2> <p><a href="https://waawfoundation.org/scholarship/">WAAW Foundation scholarship official page</a></p> <p><a href="https://airtable.com/appyw4lczE5E2laJe/shr1VhyUcfMmNxWKW">WAAW Foundation scholarship application form</a></p> <h2>Frequently asked questions</h2> <p>How much is the WAAW Foundation Scholarship worth?</p> <p>A one-time award of $500, paid in the scholar's local currency equivalent and disbursed in full once the required milestones are fulfilled.</p> <p>Who can apply for the WAAW Foundation Scholarship?</p> <p>Female students of African origin who live and study in Africa, are enrolled in a Bachelor's degree in a STEM-related course, are in their first or second year, or third year of a five-year course, can demonstrate financial need, have an excellent academic record and proven leadership and community service, and are below 32 years of age.</p> <p>When does the WAAW Foundation Scholarship close?</p> <p>On Friday 18 December 2026. Applications opened on Friday 30 October 2026.</p> <p>Which courses are accepted?</p> <p>Only STEM-related courses are accepted. Medicine and Nursing students are not eligible, but Pharmacy students are eligible.</p> <p>What documents do I need to apply?</p> <p>Two reference letters, one from a professor at your institution and one from an academic supervisor, advisor or mentor, plus a scanned copy of your school ID card. A signed and sealed copy of your current university transcript is required during the second-stage review.</p> <p>Is there an application fee?</p> <p>No application fee is stated on the official WAAW Foundation scholarship page.</p>