Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card holders). The project is open to graduate students and undergraduates who have successfully completed at least two semesters or equivalent of Zulu, Xhosa, Siswati, or Ndebele language study.

Applicants who meet these eligibility requirements are not assured of a place in the program. If there is a large applicant pool, or if the selection committee feels that an applicant is weak, then certain scholars may be turned down.