Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed Closed 24 January 2025
- Provider
- Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform
- Field of study
- Engineering, Bioresource Engineering
- Study level
- Postgraduate
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
The 2025 round closed on 24 January 2025, and earlier rounds closed at the end of November.
VerifiedThe Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), the province’s agriculture department in Bhisho, funds students from rural Eastern Cape communities to qualify in agricultural sciences, agricultural engineering, forestry and rural development. It is a full-cost bursary aimed at poor households, and graduates may be asked to work for the department afterwards.
About the DRDAR Bursary
- Fields: agricultural sciences, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal and plant production, agricultural extension, environmental science, forestry, water resource management and rural development, including honours degrees in entomology and plant pathology.
- Covers full tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks and study materials and a monthly allowance.
- Recipients may be required to work for the department after graduating.
DRDAR Bursary eligibility requirements
- South African citizen from the Eastern Cape.
- Previously disadvantaged, with priority for poor and rural communities and proven financial need.
- Strong academic results in Matric or current studies.
- Studying, or accepted, at a recognised South African institution in a listed field.
How to apply for the DRDAR Bursary
- Download the application form from drdar.gov.za when the call opens, or collect it from a district office.
- Attach a certified ID, your Matric certificate or latest results, proof of acceptance or registration, a motivation letter on your career goals and proof of household income (payslips or an affidavit).
- Email the application to bursaries@drdar.gov.za or hand-deliver it to a DRDAR district office before the closing date. If you hear nothing within 30 days, treat the application as unsuccessful.
DRDAR Bursary closing date
The last confirmed closing date was 24 January 2025. Expect November 2026 to January 2027 for the 2027 academic year.
Contact details
- Email: bursaries@drdar.gov.za
- Head office: Dukumbana Building, Bhisho, 040 602 5000
Agriculture students should also apply to the national Department of Agriculture bursary (30 September 2026), the ARC bursary and see our Eastern Cape government bursaries page.
FAQs
1. When does the DRDAR bursary close for 2027? +
The 2025 round closed on 24 January 2025 and earlier rounds closed at the end of November. No 2027 call had been published when we checked. Expect it on drdar.gov.za between November 2026 and January 2027.
2. What is DRDAR? +
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, the provincial agriculture department based in Bhisho, which funds students from rural Eastern Cape communities in agricultural fields.
3. Which fields? +
Agricultural sciences, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal and plant production, agricultural extension, environmental science, forestry, water resource management and rural development, including honours degrees in entomology and plant pathology.
4. What does it cover? +
Full tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks and study materials and a monthly allowance. Recipients may be required to work for the department after graduating.
5. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens from the Eastern Cape, particularly from poor and rural communities, with strong results and financial need, studying or accepted at a recognised South African institution in a listed field.
6. How do I apply? +
Email the completed form with a certified ID, Matric certificate or latest results, proof of acceptance or registration, a motivation letter and proof of household income to bursaries@drdar.gov.za, or hand-deliver it to a DRDAR district office.
Update note (checked September 2026): the 2025 round closed on 24 January 2025, and earlier rounds closed at the end of November. No 2027 call had been published when we checked. Expect it on the department’s website and in Eastern Cape newspapers between November 2026 and January 2027. The details below are from the last published call.
