Funding Your Journey

Representing South Africa at an international Olympiad is the opportunity of a lifetime — but travel, accommodation, event fees and visas add up. This page walks families and schools through realistic funding options.

Before you start fundraising

Most families find that a combination of sources works best — no single funder typically covers the full trip. Start early (ideally 4–6 months before the event), cast a wide net, and keep a simple budget spreadsheet that shows exactly what each rand will cover. SAIO will provide a letter of acceptance confirming your learner's selection, which is often required by funders.

A four-step approach that works

1

Build your budget

List every line item: flights, visa, accommodation, meals, event fees, insurance, ground transport. Be specific.

2

Request SAIO letter

Email info@saolympiadsinternational.co.za to request an official letter of acceptance on SAIO letterhead.

3

Approach multiple sources

Apply to 8–12 funders rather than putting all your hope in one. Start with your own school and local community first.

4

Close the gap

Use crowdfunding (BackaBuddy, GoFundMe) for the remaining shortfall once you've secured your main contributions.

Government & public sector

Start here

  • Department of Science, Technology & Innovation (DSI)

    Supports SA learner participation in international STEM competitions through its Youth into Science Strategy. Applications are typically routed through partner organisations rather than direct to families.

    STEM subjects National team travel
    dsi.gov.za ↗

  • National Research Foundation (NRF) — Science Engagement

    Provides limited bursaries and travel grants for learners representing South Africa in international STEM competitions. Usually works through partner organisations rather than direct to families.

    Maths & Science
    nrf.ac.za ↗

  • Provincial Department of Education

    Each of the nine provincial education departments has a discretionary fund for learner achievement. Your school principal can write directly to the MEC or Head of Department with a motivation letter.

    All subjects Via school
    Contact your HoD

  • Department of Basic Education — Ministerial Awards

    The DBE occasionally provides recognition grants for learners achieving at international level. Speak to your school's district office about nomination for an award or travel contribution.

    All subjects Recognition grant
    education.gov.za ↗

Corporate social investment (CSI) & B-BBEE

Most options

  • Old Mutual Foundation

    Funds education initiatives across South Africa, with a focus on maths, science and financial literacy. Has supported olympiad learners in the past. Apply via the foundation's education grant cycle.

    Maths & Science Bursary potential
    oldmutual.co.za ↗

  • Standard Bank Tutuwa Community Foundation

    Education and youth development is one of Tutuwa's three pillars. Targeted at learners from historically disadvantaged communities. Strong track record of funding olympiad and international competition travel.

    All subjects Financial need
    standardbank.com ↗

  • Sasol Foundation

    Dedicated maths, science and technology focus. Sasol has a long history of sponsoring olympiads and STEM competitions in South Africa. Apply via the foundation's annual grant cycle, usually early in the year.

    Maths & Science STEM focus
    sasol.com ↗

  • Nedbank Private Wealth / Nedbank Foundation

    Education bursaries and discretionary grants, including for once-off travel and learner achievement. Typically requires a motivation letter and proof of selection.

    All subjects
    nedbank.co.za ↗

  • Discovery Foundation

    Focused on education, healthcare and rural development. Education awards occasionally extend to learners representing South Africa abroad. Check the annual awards cycle.

    All subjects
    discovery.co.za ↗

  • Anglo American Chairman's Fund

    Education is one of the fund's priority areas. Has supported learner delegations to international academic events in the past, particularly in maths and science.

    Maths & Science STEM focus
    angloamerican.com ↗

Trusts & private foundations

High value

  • Allan Gray Orbis Foundation

    Primarily a long-term fellowship for entrepreneurial high-school and university students, but Fellows and alumni have accessed travel and achievement grants.

    High-achiever Long-term
    allangrayorbis.org ↗

  • Motsepe Foundation

    Broad education focus with strong support for maths and science. Contact directly with a formal motivation letter — approachable for high-achieving learners from under-resourced backgrounds.

    All subjects Financial need
    motsepefoundation.org ↗

  • Oppenheimer Memorial Trust

    Funds education, research and cultural initiatives. Has supported individual South African learners at international academic events. Apply directly with a detailed motivation and budget.

    All subjects
    omt.org.za ↗

  • DG Murray Trust

    Focused on strategic public innovations, including education. Less direct individual support, but partners with organisations that fund learner travel. Worth approaching via SAIO.

    Strategic partner
    dgmt.co.za ↗

School & community

Often overlooked

  • Your school's governing body (SGB)

    Most schools have a small discretionary fund for learner achievement. Request a formal agenda item at the next SGB meeting — bring your SAIO letter, budget, and a short motivation.

    All subjects Start here
    Via principal

  • School alumni associations

    Many well-established schools have active alumni networks that will sponsor a current learner achieving internationally. Ask your principal to connect you with the alumni coordinator.

    All subjects
    Via principal

  • Local Rotary / Lions / Round Table clubs

    Service clubs in your suburb often sponsor learner achievement. Contributions are usually smaller (R2,000 – R10,000) but they add up, and the application process is quick.

    Community Quick turnaround
    Local chapter

  • Community & religious groups

    Local congregations, community trusts and cultural associations sometimes have small education funds. Ask openly — people like to contribute to a concrete, identifiable goal.

    Community
    Local contacts

Crowdfunding

For closing the gap

  • BackaBuddy

    South Africa's largest crowdfunding platform. Free to set up a campaign, fees deducted from donations. Works best when you share the campaign with a clear story, a professional photo, and a specific rand target.

    South African ZAR donations
    backabuddy.co.za ↗

  • GoFundMe

    International reach — useful if you have family or contacts abroad who want to contribute in foreign currency. Slightly higher fees than BackaBuddy for ZAR but broader exposure.

    International Multi-currency
    gofundme.com ↗

Ready-to-use templates

Download these to save hours of work. All templates are pre-populated with the official SAIO event details and are ready to customise with your learner's information.

Sponsorship letter template

A one-page letter you can customise and send to any potential funder — corporate, trust, school, or individual. Pre-written in professional business English.

Coming soon

Trip budget spreadsheet

A detailed Excel template covering flights, visa, accommodation, meals, ground transport, event fees and insurance.

Coming soon

Learner media kit

A one-pager about your learner and the event in a format funders like. Includes space for a photo, academic history and event overview.

Coming soon

Need help or have a lead?

If you've secured partial funding and need a letter of support, or if your family employer has a CSI programme you'd like SAIO to approach directly, we're here to help.

Get in Touch
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