Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education / Vesalius Scholarship South Africa 2025

Are you a South African medical student struggling to make ends meet?

The Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education, through the Vesalius Scholarship, offers crucial financial support to deserving students.

The Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education is a non-profit organization established in 2020 by young doctors from South Africa and Belgium.

Their mission is to alleviate the financial strain faced by medical students in low and middle-income countries, specifically focusing on improving living and training conditions.

About the Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education / Vesalius Scholarship

The Vesalius Scholarship is a prestigious award that provides financial assistance to deserving medical students pursuing their Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) degrees at select universities in South Africa.

These universities include the University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University (SUN), the University of Pretoria (UP), and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

The scholarship offers financial support to cover essential living expenses, including:

  1. Accommodation: Up to R5,000 per month for a room in a student residence.
  2. Monthly Stipend: Up to R7,000 per month for food and basic needs like toiletries, stationery, and textbooks.

Beyond financial support, the Vesalius Scholarship offers valuable mentorship and guidance.

Scholarship recipients receive quarterly interviews with the Scholarship Committee, which includes young South African doctors, providing valuable support and advice.

Vesalius Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Vesalius Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. You can be of any age or nationality.
  2. You must be enrolled in an MBChB program.
  3. You must be in your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th year of study.
  4. You must be studying at one of the approved universities: UCT, SUN, UP, or Wits.
  5. You must demonstrate a commitment to giving back to the community through activities such as charity work, community projects, or academic mentorship.
  6. Students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, including refugees, are strongly encouraged to apply.
  7. Students with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.

Vesalius Scholarship Application Requirements

To apply for the Vesalius Scholarship, you will need to download and complete the application form available on the Spes Bona website.

Additionally, you must submit the following documents with your application:

  1. A clear copy of your ID document.
  2. A passport-sized color photograph.
  3. A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) including your full academic record (Matric results and tertiary transcripts).
  4. Proof of income for yourself (latest payslips or bank statements if employed, or an affidavit if unemployed).
  5. Your bank account details (account number, branch, and date of account opening).
  6. Contact details (phone number and address) for your parents or guardians.
  7. Proof of income for your parents or guardians (latest payslips or bank statements if employed, or an affidavit if unemployed).
  8. A motivational letter (maximum 1 page) or a motivational video (maximum 2 minutes, recommended) explaining your desire to receive the scholarship and your career goals.
  9. A completed declaration of income and expenses form (available on the application form).

How to Apply

Completed applications with all required documents must be submitted electronically via email to spesbonainitiative@gmail.com.

Remember to include “Vesalius Scholarship Application 2025” in the email subject line.

Vesalius Scholarship Closing Date

The closing date for the 2025 Vesalius Scholarship application is yet to be announced.

Vesalius Scholarship Contact

For any questions or inquiries regarding the Vesalius Scholarship, you can contact the Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education directly through email: spesbonainitiative@gmail.com or admin@spesbona.info.