Weiss Trust Honours Support Offers Up to R130,000 Plus Course Fees for UCT Science Students
The Nigel and Judith Weiss Educational Trust can provide up to R130,000 plus course fees for a first science honours degree at UCT. Applications close on 10 November 2026.
This is a needs-based opportunity for a specific level of study. It is worth checking both the trust’s conditions and the university’s funding instructions before preparing an application, particularly if you are moving directly from undergraduate study into honours.
Eligibility and preferences
The trust’s award conditions specify a first science honours degree, an undergraduate result of at least 60%, and previous financial-aid support or demonstrated financial need. South African citizens are preferred; permanent residents are also included.
Preferences include future educators, disadvantaged applicants, particularly women, previous trust beneficiaries and mathematics students. Other natural sciences remain eligible.
Understanding the amount and responsibilities
Support lasts one year. PGFO determines the amount. The R130,000 ceiling can cover materials, a device, food, travel and accommodation; it is not a guaranteed payment.
Recipients must give a presentation to the trustees and answer questions, then provide an end-of-course report and thank-you letter.
Use the correct UCT application route
UCT’s current postgraduate funding noticeboard directs applicants to complete the online funding application in PeopleSoft and email their motivation separately to pgfunding@uct.ac.za. Sending only a motivation is therefore not the complete advertised process.
The 2027 UCT funding page says first-time applicants must submit their university admission application before applying for postgraduate funding. It provides the official student-portal link and confirms that late or incomplete funding applications will not be considered.
Check the different academic thresholds: the trust notice specifies 60%, while the separate general UCT 2027 financial-support criteria state a 70% minimum for those university awards. Do not assume these are interchangeable. If your result is between the two thresholds, ask the Postgraduate Funding Office how your application should be handled for this particular donor award.
Preparing a useful motivation
For the motivational letter, aim for a coherent account rather than a list of flattering adjectives. Explain what you have studied, what you want to investigate next and which practical obstacle the funding would help you overcome. Use a concrete example where it makes your explanation clearer.
As a practical approach, describe one specific academic interest, explain why honours is the next necessary step, and set out a realistic longer-term goal. If teaching is genuinely part of your plan, say what kind of educational contribution you hope to make. Do not add a teaching ambition simply because it appears among the preferences.
Keep your account of financial circumstances consistent with the information submitted through UCT’s funding process. Avoid publishing private financial records in public comments when asking for help; use the university’s authorised channels. Check that the motivation identifies the Weiss trust opportunity and that your contact details are correct. Save copies of the uploaded documents and the separate email so you can establish which steps you completed if you later need assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send only a motivational letter?
No. Follow the noticeboard instructions for both the online funding application and the separate motivation email.
What should I keep after submitting?
Keep your final documents, email record and portal confirmation together. This makes it easier to answer a query about what you submitted.
Who should clarify the application rules?
Contact the Postgraduate Funding Office at pgfunding@uct.ac.za or 021 650 3622. Raise any threshold or document question before the deadline rather than relying on assumptions about the shared application system.
Doctoral applicants should instead consider level-appropriate opportunities such as the Healthy Futures SA PhD Fellowship. It is separate from this first-honours award and has different research and eligibility conditions.
Independent publisher. Reign Gigs is not the funding provider and does not accept applications.
