SACTA Bursaries 2027: Postgraduate Funding for Agriculture Students
The SA Cultivar & Technology Agency (SACTA) invites South African students to apply for the SACTA Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Applications for this intake are closed (closed 30 Sept 2026).
SACTA usually opens again at about the same time each year. Its page lists every intake we have seen and when each one closed.
Listing last updated 22 Sept 2026. We recheck our listings every day.
SACTA Bursaries 2027: Postgraduate Funding for Agriculture Students is a bursary offered by SACTA (open nationally). Applications close on 30 Sept 2026.
Who can apply
- Be a South African citizen.
- Have completed Matric.
- Be studying or intending to study full-time towards an Honours, Master’s or Doctoral qualification relevant to the South African breeding and technology industry.
- Be studying or enrolled to study at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution.
- Not be receiving another bursary or funding award unless agreed to by the Trust.
- Intend to conduct a dissertation or thesis on a topic approved by the Trust.
- Be willing to work within the South African agricultural industry after completing their studies.
- Read and agree to the SACTA bursary conditions, policies and procedures.
- Agree to the terms of the Legal Undertaking contained in Section E of the application form.
Documents you will need
- Certified copy of ID document or passport, certified within the last three months.
- Colour ID photograph.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Proof of tertiary registration and fee statement on the institution’s letterhead.
- Full tertiary academic record, including the latest results, on the institution’s letterhead.
- Details of the proposed research.
- Working research title.
- Description of the proposed research.
- Gantt chart for the proposed research.
- Motivational letter supporting the application.
- Academic abilities.
- Financial need.
- Future career goals.
- If proof of registration and the fee statement are not yet available, these documents may be submitted after registration.
How to apply
Applications are submitted directly to SACTA - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.
Go to the application pageFull details
The SA Cultivar & Technology Agency (SACTA) invites South African students to apply for the SACTA Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
Study Level: Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies
Funding: Up to R131,250 per annum, depending on the level of study
About the SACTA Bursary Programme
The SA Cultivar & Technology Agency is offering postgraduate bursaries to students pursuing qualifications relevant to South Africa’s grain and oilseeds breeding and technology industry.
The bursary supports eligible postgraduate studies at recognised and accredited tertiary institutions. Applicants must be willing to conduct research relevant to the industry and meet the conditions attached to the funding.
Fields of Study Covered
Bursaries may be awarded for Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies in fields including, but not limited to:
- Agronomy
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Meteorology
- Agricultural Writers
- Biometry
- Conservation Agriculture
- Data Science
- Demand Planning
- Food Sciences relevant to the crop industry
- Livestock Science
- Molecular Biology
- Pasture Science
- Plant Biochemistry
- Plant Breeding
- Plant Entomology
- Plant Nematology
- Plant Pathology
- Plant Physiology
- Plant Virology
- Precision Agriculture
- Seed Applied Technologies
- Soil Microbiology
- Soil Science
- Weed Science
- Other fields relevant to the grain and oilseeds breeding and technology industry
SACTA Bursary Value
The funding amount depends on the applicant’s level and type of postgraduate study.
Bursary funds are paid according to approved progress reports submitted by the bursary recipient and their supervisor.
The first instalment is expected to be paid in January 2027.
The supplied bursary information does not specify a funding amount for Honours studies.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
Service Contract After Graduation
Bursary recipients are required to work within the South African grain and oilseeds industry after completing their studies.
The period of service must be equal to the period for which the student received the bursary.
For example, a recipient who receives bursary support for two years would be expected to work in the relevant industry for an equivalent period, subject to the bursary’s terms and conditions.
Selection Process
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted and required to participate in telephonic interviews.
Successful candidates are expected to be notified within eight weeks after the application closing date.
Applicants who do not receive feedback within this period should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit the following supporting documentation:
The motivational letter should include information about the applicant’s:
If proof of registration and the fee statement are not yet available, these documents may be submitted after registration.
How to Apply
Applications for the SACTA Bursary 2027 must be submitted online.
Click here to apply for the SACTA Bursary 2027
Applicants should also familiarise themselves with the bursary conditions, policies and procedures before applying:
SACTA Bursary Conditions, Policies and Procedures
Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026.
Meta Description
SACTA invites South African students to apply for Postgraduate Bursaries 2027 for agriculture, plant science and related studies. Master’s students can receive up to R99,750 and PhD students up to R131,250 per year. Applications close 30 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SACTA Bursaries 2027: Postgraduate Funding for Agriculture Students?
The SACTA Bursaries 2027: Postgraduate Funding for Agriculture Students is a bursary offered by SACTA for South African students and applicants interested in Engineering, Accounting/Finance, and Commerce/Business. The SA Cultivar & Technology Agency (SACTA) invites South African students to apply for the SACTA Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year. Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026 Bursary Location: South Africa Study Level: Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies Funding: Up to R13... You can read the full details, eligibility criteria, and application steps on this page before you apply.
Who qualifies for the SACTA bursary?
To qualify for the SACTA bursary, applicants generally need to meet a few key conditions. These include Be a South African citizen., Have completed Matric., and Be studying or intending to study full-time towards an Honours, Master’s or Doctoral qualification relevant to the South African breeding and technology industry.. It is open to applicants at Matric and Postgraduate level. Read every requirement carefully on the official listing, because meeting all of them improves your chances of being shortlisted.
When does the SACTA bursary close?
According to our sources, the SACTA bursary closes on 30 September 2026. We last checked this listing on 11 November 2026. We always recommend verifying the closing date on the official listing, as providers sometimes extend or bring forward their deadlines.
What documents do I need to apply?
For the SACTA bursary you will typically need to prepare Certified copy of ID document or passport, certified within the last three months., Colour ID photograph., Curriculum Vitae (CV)., and Proof of tertiary registration and fee statement on the institution’s letterhead.. Make sure any copies you submit are certified and clearly legible, as incomplete applications are often rejected. It also helps to scan everything in advance so you can upload or attach the documents quickly when you apply.
How do I apply for the SACTA bursary?
Applications for the SACTA Bursary 2027 must be submitted online. Click here to apply for the SACTA Bursary 2027 Applicants should also familiarise themselves with the bursary conditions, policies and procedures before applying: SACTA Bursary Conditions, Policies and Procedures Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026. You can start your application using the official link provided on this page. Apply early and keep a copy of any reference number or confirmation you receive, in case you need to follow up.
Sources
This page summarises information published by:
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