ARC Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 17 June 2026
Provider: Agricultural Research Council
Study level: Postgraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The 2027 round closed on 17 June 2026, and late applications are not accepted.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 17 June 2026 Expect the 2028 round to open around April 2027 and close in June 2027. Latest update ↓

The Agricultural Research Council is South Africa’s principal agricultural research institution, with campuses and research farms across the country. Its postgraduate bursary is small in number, fourteen awards a year, but generous in what comes with it: ARC supervision, laboratory access and a place on real research projects.

About the ARC Bursary

Fourteen bursaries: seven for master’s degrees and seven for doctoral studies.
Fields: agribusiness management, agricultural economics, agricultural extension, agricultural management, econometrics, environmental and natural resources management, and related social sciences, knowledge management and modelling disciplines.
Adds mentorship from senior ARC researchers, access to laboratories and research facilities, co-supervision on real socio-economic projects, funding for thesis and publication printing costs, research skills workshops and possible work placement.
Duration: up to three years for master’s and up to five years for doctoral study.

ARC Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen aged 18 to 35, currently unemployed.
An honours degree for master’s applicants, or a master’s degree for doctoral applicants.
Registered, or accepted, at a South African university.
No NSFAS or other bursary funding. Preference goes to designated employment equity groups.

How to apply for the ARC Bursary

Open the bursary listings on the ARC careers pages at arc.agric.za when the round opens; the master’s and doctoral calls have separate reference numbers.
Upload a cover letter, a detailed CV, a certified ID, your driver’s licence, certified qualification certificates, a SAQA evaluation report for foreign qualifications, your university registration or acceptance letter and three contactable references.
Submit online before the closing date. Late applications are not accepted.

ARC Bursary closing date

17 June 2026 for the 2027 academic year (closed). Expect June 2027 for 2028.

Contact details

Mr Ndikho Mbuce: arcpdp@arc.agric.za
Website: www.arc.agric.za

Agriculture postgraduates should also apply to the Agbiz Centenary bursary, the Department of Agriculture bursary and the DSI-NRF postgraduate scholarship.

FAQs

1. When does the ARC bursary close for 2027? +

The 2027 round closed on 17 June 2026, and late applications are not accepted. Expect the 2028 round to open around April 2027 and close in June 2027.

2. What is the ARC? +

The Agricultural Research Council, South Africa's principal agricultural research institution, with campuses and research farms across the country.

3. How many bursaries are there? +

Fourteen: seven for master's degrees and seven for doctoral studies.

4. Which fields? +

Agribusiness management, agricultural economics, agricultural extension, agricultural management, econometrics, environmental and natural resources management, plus related social sciences, knowledge management and modelling disciplines.

5. What does it include besides money? +

Mentorship from senior ARC researchers, access to laboratories and research facilities, co-supervision on real socio-economic projects, funding for thesis and publication printing costs, research skills workshops and possible work placement. Master's bursaries run up to three years and doctoral bursaries up to five.

6. Who qualifies? +

Unemployed South African citizens aged 18 to 35 who hold an honours degree (for master's applicants) or a master's degree (for doctoral applicants), are registered or accepted at a South African university, and do not have NSFAS or another bursary. Preference goes to designated employment equity groups.

Update note (checked September 2026): the 2027 round closed on 17 June 2026, and late applications are not accepted. Expect the 2028 round to open around April 2027 and close in June 2027.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

About Agricultural Research Council

Public entity (agricultural research)

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is South Africa's principal agricultural research institution. The Agricultural Research Act 86 of 1990 established the ARC, which operates as a Schedule 3A public entity and reports to the national department responsible for…

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