ADSA Dietetics Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 8 December 2025
Provider: ADSA
Field of study: Dietetics and Nutrition
Study level: Undergraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The association uses an early-December closing date, most recently 8 December 2025 for the 2026 bursary.

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

The Association for Dietetics in South Africa is the professional body for dietitians, and each year it funds one student through the second, third and fourth years of a BSc Dietetics degree. At up to R30 000 a year it is a partial bursary, but it comes with free student membership of the association and a place in the profession’s network before graduation.

About the ADSA Bursary

Value: up to R30 000 a year towards registration fees, textbooks, accommodation and other costs.
Covers the second, third and fourth years of an undergraduate BSc Dietetics degree.
Recipients receive free ADSA student membership while funded.
Graduates must work in South Africa for a period equal to the bursary and join an ADSA branch.

ADSA Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen enrolled for an undergraduate dietetics qualification.
Completing, or just completed, first year and entering second year.
Demonstrated financial need.
A genuine interest in food science and health, and leadership shown through school or campus activities.

How to apply for the ADSA Bursary

Open the bursary page at adsa.org.za when the round opens and complete the online application.
Upload a certified ID, certified recent academic results, a motivation letter explaining why you should be selected, certified proof of your parents’ or guardians’ household income, and any supporting reference letters.
Submit before the closing date. The association announces its award early in the new year.

ADSA Bursary closing date

8 December 2025 for the 2026 bursary. Expect early December 2026 for 2027.

Contact details

Email: membership@adsa.org.za
Website: www.adsa.org.za

Health science students should also apply to NSFAS and see the funders on our nursing bursaries and undergraduate bursaries pages.

FAQs

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

The association uses an early-December closing date, most recently 8 December 2025 for the 2026 bursary. Expect the 2027 round to close in early December 2026; confirm with ADSA.

2. What is ADSA? +

The Association for Dietetics in South Africa, the professional body for dietitians, which awards an annual bursary to a financially disadvantaged student doing a BSc Dietetics degree.

3. How much is it? +

Up to R30 000 a year towards registration fees, textbooks, accommodation and other costs, for the second, third and fourth years of the degree.

4. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens enrolled for an undergraduate dietetics qualification who are completing or have just completed first year and are entering second year, with demonstrated financial need, a passion for food science and health, and leadership shown through school or campus activities.

5. What are the conditions? +

Recipients get free ADSA student membership while funded, must work in South Africa after graduating for a period equal to the bursary, and must join an ADSA branch.

6. How do I apply? +

Online through the ADSA bursary application, with a certified ID, certified recent academic results, a motivation letter explaining why you should be selected, certified proof of your parents' or guardians' household income (payslips, an affidavit, pension or grant proof, or a death certificate) and any supporting reference letters.

Update note (checked September 2026): the association uses an early-December closing date, most recently 8 December 2025 for the 2026 bursary. The 2027 call had not been published when we checked. Expect it to close in early December 2026, and confirm with ADSA. The details below are from the last published call.

About ADSA

Professional association (dietetics)

The Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) is the professional, not-for-profit membership body for registered dietitians. ADSA serves dietitians' interests, supports standards in the profession and promotes good nutrition in South African communities, and volunteers run much…

Read the full ADSA profile →

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.