The OYW Bursary is a fully funded initiative that identifies, connects, and supports a cohort of young South African entrepreneurs to join the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. It responds to South Africa’s urgent national challenge of youth unemployment and recognises young people as powerful drivers of job creation. The programme connects participants with a global network and mentorship, and increases capacity to scale up enterprises.
One Young World is the provider of this bursary and a global community that brings together 20,000+ young leaders from 190+ countries. For its Summit in Cape Town, One Young World is committed to building a legacy that addresses South Africa’s national challenge through concrete, business-led pathways into employment, livelihoods, and job creation for young people across the country.
Benefits of OYW Bursary Scholarship 2026
- A fully-funded place to attend the One Young World Summit Cape Town, South Africa from 3 – 6 November 2026.
- Return travel to Cape Town.
- Hotel accommodation in Cape Town in a private room between 2 – 7 November 2026 (inclusive).
- All meals covered, including breakfast, lunch and dinner on conference days.
- Lifelong membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community, a global network with 20,000+ members in 190+ countries.
- Participation in the One Young World Action Accelerator after the Summit.
- Access to networking and mentorship opportunities with senior figures in the South African start-up ecosystem.
- Access to a networking event to connect with potential investors, build partnerships and improve market access.
- Connection with a global network of 20,000+ young leaders in 190+ countries.
Eligibility Criteria for the OYW Bursary Scholarship 2026
- Be between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of the Summit.
- Be a national of, and resident in, South Africa.
- Be leading a business or enterprise that has the potential for significant job creation.
- Be responsible for direct decision-making authority within their organisation or company.
- Be available to participate in the One Young World Summit from 3-6 November 2026.
- Applicants older than 30 may be considered pending demonstration of appropriate personal impact, initiative, and willingness to engage; those under 18 at the time of the Summit cannot be accepted.
How to apply for the OYW Bursary Scholarship 2026?
- Review the eligibility requirements carefully to ensure you meet all criteria for the National Bursary for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs.
- Prepare your application by providing clear information about your business, your leadership role, and its potential to create significant employment opportunities.
- Highlight measurable results, business achievements, and evidence of your enterprise’s impact and job-creation potential.
- Explain your vision for growing your business and how attending the One Young World Summit 2026 could help you expand its impact.
- Complete the online application form through the official One Young World application portal.
- Submit your completed application before the deadline of 1 September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the OYW Bursary. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to prepare for the One Young World Summit 2026 in South Africa.
What is the OYW Bursary?
The OYW Bursary is a fully funded opportunity under the National Bursary for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs. It identifies, connects, and supports young South African entrepreneurs to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town from 3 to 6 November. The bursary responds to South Africa’s youth unemployment challenge and treats young people as drivers of job creation within their communities.
Who is eligible for the OYW Bursary?
Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old, be South African nationals and residents, and lead a business or enterprise with significant job-creation potential. They must have direct decision-making authority in their organisation or company and be available to participate in the One Young World Summit from 3 to 6 November 2026. Candidates older than 30 may be considered if they demonstrate appropriate impact and willingness to engage.
What does the OYW Bursary cover?
Recipients receive a fully-funded place at the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, return travel to Cape Town, hotel accommodation in a private room from 2 to 7 November 2026, and all meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner on conference days. The bursary also includes lifelong membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community, participation in the Action Accelerator, and access to networking and mentorship opportunities.
What is the application deadline for the OYW Bursary?
The application deadline is 1 September 2026, and the opening date is 11 August 2026. The bursary supports participation in the One Young World Summit 2026, which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 6 November. Applicants should check the official One Young World page for any updates or additional instructions.
Where and when is the One Young World Summit 2026?
The One Young World Summit 2026 takes place in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 6 November 2026. Bursary recipients must be available to participate during these dates. Hotel accommodation is provided in Cape Town in a private room from 2 to 7 November 2026 inclusive.
What is the Action Accelerator?
The Action Accelerator is One Young World’s annual post-Summit programme. All OYW Bursary recipients are invited to join it to turn new ideas into real action with simple, practical steps to scale up their enterprises. It helps participants continue their impact after the Summit and strengthen their enterprises as generators of employment opportunities.
What networking and mentorship opportunities are included?
Recipients gain access to a networking event to connect with potential investors, build partnerships, and improve market access. They also receive mentorship from senior and established figures in the South African start-up ecosystem across all sectors, offering guidance and access to new opportunities, plus access to exclusive Ambassador opportunities such as speaking events and regional networking.
Do I need to be a South African citizen?
Yes, you must be a national of, and resident in, South Africa to be eligible. This requirement supports the bursary’s goal of building a legacy for the Summit in Cape Town that responds to South Africa’s most urgent national challenge: youth unemployment. The programme focuses on young people as powerful drivers of job creation within their communities.
Can applicants over 30 apply for the OYW Bursary?
Most delegates are between 18 and 30 years old. The One Young World team will consider candidates older than 30 pending demonstration of appropriate personal impact, initiative, and willingness to engage. Applications from those who will be under 18 at the time of the Summit, 3 to 6 November 2026, are not accepted.
How do I apply for the OYW Bursary?
The official page does not list a separate application form or step-by-step procedure. It explains that the National Bursary for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs will identify, connect, and support a cohort of young South African entrepreneurs to join the One Young World Summit 2026. Visit the official One Young World website and the bursary page for current application instructions and links.
Discover more from Scholarship Union
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Scholarships in Sweden 
Scholarships in South Korea 
Scholarships in Austria 
Scholarships in Italy 
Scholarships in USA