Below, you will find a list of the questions most frequently posed to the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. Please select the category you feel is best suited to your requirements. If you can't find the answer to your query here, please contact the Foundation.
- General Questions
- Grade 6 Questions
- Grade 12 Questions
- 1st Year Questions
- Questions from Teachers
- Questions from Parents
- Mentoring Questions
General Questions
I have been working for a number of years now, can I apply for university funding from the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation?
Unfortunately not, the Foundation's opportunities for university funding is only open to current Grade 12 students or individuals who have matriculated in the last two years.
I would like to submit a funding proposal to the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation? How would I go about doing this?
The Foundation has a very specific mandate and can only fund their direct beneficiaries which are the Allan Gray Scholars and the Allan Gray Fellows. The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation can therefore not provide any funding outside of their mandate.
I would like to request a donation from the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation to assist an education project, is this possible?
The Foundation is a non-profit organisation and is therefore not in a position to make donations.
I would like to work for the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, how would I go about doing this?
To view the latest list of vacancies or register your CV, please visit the Foundation's career portal.
I would like to apply for funding for my MBA, does the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation fund MBA studies?
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation does not provide funding for MBA studies. However, Mr Allan Gray has established an MBA bursary opportunity at the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. Please contact the MBA office at the UCT Graduate School of Business directly.
Grade 6 Questions
I am in Grade 5, can I apply for the Allan Gray Scholarship?
No, you have to be in Grade 6 to apply for the Allan Gray Scholarship.
Can I apply at anytime during my high school career to become an Allan Gray Scholar?
No, the Allan Gray Scholarship only selects learners when they are in Grade 6 for starting high school in Grade 8, provided they maintain their marks.
Can I choose which school I would like to attend?
The Foundation works with a select group of placement schools and will only provide funding for learners who chose to attend one of these schools. Please refer to the most recent list of placement schools.
What does the Allan Gray Scholarship cover?
The Allan Gray Scholarship provides funding for tuition and boarding fees at one of its selected placement schools. In addition, the Foundation funds home travel, uniform, stationery, clothing and other allowances. The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation also provides a personal development programme while the student is at high school.
Do I have to go into boarding?
Most likely, but not necessarily. Each Allan Gray Scholar's personal circumstances are taken into consideration before recommendations are made.
If I am selected as an Allan Gray Scholar does this mean that after high school I will automatically receive university funding?
No, upon successful completion of your Allan Gray Scholarship, you will have to follow the standard application process to become an Allan Gray Fellow.
Grade 12 Questions
What does the Allan Gray Fellowship cover?
The Allan Gray Fellowship covers the following:
- Financial assistance in terms of academic studies at a South African University (UCT, WITS, UJ, RU, UP or NMMU) for the full length of the degree.
- Full cost of residence; cost of living stipend to meet the incidentals of normal life on campus.
- An Entrepreneurship Development Programme which is overlaid on top of the Allan Gray Fellow's undergraduate studies, running throughout the year. This will include seminars, guest speakers, experiential learning activities and project based deliverables.
- Mentorship, both from individually assigned Foundation employed staff, as well as business mentors, that will assist the Fellow in development of networks and social connections.
- Future scholarships for postgraduate study that are in line with potential future entrepreneurship activity, if the Fellow proves their ability during the undergraduate degree. This opportunity extends to the possibility of international study.
- The possibility of future funding for those Fellows who successfully complete the programme and are able to submit compelling business plans - thereby completing the cycle that we are initiating through our entrepreneurship learning activities.
Will I have to work for Allan Gray or the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation after I complete my studies?
No, you will not have to work for either organisation upon completing your studies; there are no post-study contractual obligations.
Will I be required to attend any activities over and above my degree requirements?
Yes, as part of the Entrepreneurship Development Programme there are a number of activities and events which are a compulsory part of the fellowship opportunity.
Can I lose my Fellowship at any stage?
Yes, you can. Eligibility for the Allan Gray Fellowship is evaluated annually based on academic performance as well as performance and participation in the Entrepreneurship Programme.
Download the Allan Gray Fellowship Application package now.
1st Year Questions
I am not a citizen of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana or Swaziland. Can I still apply for the Allan Gray Fellowship?
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation only operates in those countries where Allan Gray Limited is represented and therefore can only afford the opportunity to citizens of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland.
I am a 2nd year student. Am I eligible to apply?
Unfortunately not, the opportunity is only available to 1st year students.
I am a student not currently at one of your preferred universities. Can I apply for the programme?
The Allan Gray Fellowship programme is only available to 1st Year students at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of Pretoria (UP), the University of Cape Town (UCT), the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), Rhodes University (RU) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Because of the nature of the entrepreneurship programme, we are only able to offer opportunities to those at universities closest to our infrastructure hubs.
I am in 1st year and have the entrepreneurial flair and passion but my average is less than a "C" (60%). Can I still apply this year?
No. You need to have a minimum of a "C" (60%) average in your mid-year exams to be eligible to apply.
I am currently doing a 1st year B.A degree but want to change to a science/commerce/engineering degree next year. Can I still apply this year?
No, you should apply next year - in the 1st year of your new degree programme. You will be evaluated based on your performance in June of next year. We will also consider your current year's academic performance and Grade 12 results.
I am currently running my own business and am in 1st year, but not at one of your participating universities. Can I still apply to be part of this entrepreneurship programme?
No, you need to be a full time 1st year student at one of the participating universities to be eligible to participate in the Entrepreneurial Development Programme (assuming that you are successful in the selection process).
How many fellowships do you offer at 1st year level?
The Foundation offers up to 50 Allan Gray Fellowships at 1st year level each year.
I am already in possession of another bursary/scholarship and would like to know if I can still apply to your scholarship?
Yes, you can apply as the Foundation does not require you to work for them or the other associated companies. We therefore are not in competition with any other institution as far as the scholarship is concerned. In some cases though, your current bursary might have its own restrictions in this regard.
I applied last year when I was in Grade 12 and was not successful. Can I still apply again this year?
Yes, you can apply. Please note however, that if you are applying for the second time, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation will evaluate you based on the noticeable development / improvement that has taken place in your life - both from an entrepreneurial and academic perspective. You will also be required to complete a new application form reflecting these developments.
Questions from Teachers
How can I help my students apply for this opportunity?
The Foundation's application form can be quite daunting for students who are not familiar with such forms. Familiarise yourself with the selection criteria for their various opportunities to provide some insight to the students during completion of the application form. You could also provide your learners with the Educators Reference which is part of the application form.
How can my school become a member of the Circle of Excellence?
The Circle of Excellence membership is awarded to those schools which have provided the highest number of successful applicants to the Allan Gray Fellowship. The more successful applicants who become Allan Gray Fellows from your school, the higher your chances of becoming a member of the Circle of Excellence.
I would really love to encourage my students to become more entrepreneurial, can you help?
At this stage, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation does not get involved in curriculum development at the school level, but they do work with some amazing organisations who might be able to assist.
Contact them for more information.
I have a really enterprising and entrepreneurial student in my class but their academic performance is not a C average can you help?
Unfortunately not, the Foundation believes that academic excellence is one of the key criteria for success in their programmes.
Questions from Parents
Can my child/learner apply for the opportunity at any stage?
No, you have to be in Grade 6 to apply for the Allan Gray Scholarship or in either Grade 12 or 1st year of university to apply for the Allan Gray Fellowship.
If a learner is really exceptional and not in the grades as stipulated by the Foundation, will you consider providing funding?
Unfortunately not, the Foundation's programmes either start at the beginning of high school or at the beginning of the university career. They are developmental learning programmes, which require being on the programme from the outset of the learning experience, as entry at later stages would mean that vital learning would have been missed.
I would like my son/daughter to attend a university/school of my choice; will they still be able to apply for funding?
Unfortunately, if your chosen educational institution is not one of the preferred schools or universities, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation will not be able to provide funding.
My son/daughter is a top performing athlete and is really exceptional in this area. Would the Foundation consider funding for his/her education?
If your son/daughter meets all the selection criteria then you are welcome to apply on his/her behalf. Unfortunately, the Foundation does not provide for athletic funding.
Mentoring Questions
What does the Foundation look for in their mentors?
Sensitivity and an openness to engage and share in the Allan Gray Fellow's journey and the willingness to invest time, an interest in being part of promoting the growth of entrepreneurship and prosperity in Southern Africa. The ability to work with emerging young leaders and be involved in the holistic mentoring approach which focuses on the acquisition of knowledge, experience and the skills necessary to enable future business leaders. The ability to meet the Fellows where they are and connect with their goals and aspirations is critical.
What is the time requirement involved?
The commitment period starts in February and ends in November of each year. Mentors are expected to commit to the following:
| Orientation and Relationship Building | 4hrs | February |
| One-on-one Interaction (face-to-face, email or telephonic) | Monthly | Feb - Nov |
| Midway Evaluation Session | 3hrs | July |
| Closure Session | 3hrs | November |
Once mentors have completed their 1st year with the Foundation, they may choose to maintain their current relationship with their Fellow in a more informal way or continue to working formally with a new Fellow.
How do I become a mentor?
You can apply at any time during the year to become an Allan Gray Mentor as their recruitment and selection process happens throughout the year. Once selected, each mentor will be invited to attend Allan Gray Orbis Foundation events. Active mentoring begins when the new academic year begins (generally in February of each year). Apply to become a mentor now.
Will I receive payment for being a mentor?
The Foundation does not reward its mentors financially - the personal reward gained from being involved in assisting to shape the future of young leaders is immense.
Please contact the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation with any other questions.
