Potato Industry Development Trust Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 31 August 2026
Provider: Potato Industry Development Trust
Study level: Postgraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The 2027 round offered four bursaries and closed on 31 August 2026.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

The Potato Industry Development Trust (PIDT) was established in 2004 and is funded by the statutory levy on potatoes. Through Potatoes South Africa (PSA) it pays for research, transformation and training, including an annual bursary programme for students in agricultural fields that serve the potato industry.

About the Potato Industry Development Trust Bursary

Four bursaries a year.
Fields: agricultural economics, agronomy, plant or crop production, soil science and other studies relevant to potatoes.
Levels: undergraduates entering their second or a later year, and BTech, honours, Master’s and PhD students.
The value is set per student and covers tuition and study costs.
Recipients must work for a potato-industry organisation after graduating for as long as they were funded.

PIDT Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen with a Matric certificate.
Entering the second or a later year of full-time study at an accredited South African institution in the funding year.
Studying one of the listed fields.
A strong academic record and, for postgraduates, a research topic relevant to potatoes.

How to apply for the PIDT Bursary

Open the bursary notice on potatoes.co.za and follow the online application link when the call is open.
Compile a single PDF named with your full name and ID number containing a certified ID, your Matric certificate, qualification certificates, recent academic transcripts, your university admission letter or proof of registration, proof of household income and, for Master’s and PhD applicants, a progress report from your supervisor.
Submit before the closing date. Enquiries go to bursaries1@potatoes.co.za.

PIDT Bursary closing date

31 August 2026 for 2027 (closed). Expect 31 August 2027 for 2028.

Contact details

Potatoes South Africa: 012 349 1906
Email: bursaries1@potatoes.co.za
Website: www.potatoes.co.za

Crop science students should also apply to the Maize Trust bursary (closing 1 October 2026), the SASCP bursary and the Agricultural Research Council bursary.

FAQs

1. When does the Potato Industry Development Trust bursary close? +

The 2027 round closed on 31 August 2026. Expect the 2028 round to open in June or July 2027 and close at the end of August 2027.

2. What is the PIDT? +

The Potato Industry Development Trust, set up in 2004 and funded by the statutory potato levy, which pays for research, transformation and skills development through Potatoes South Africa (PSA).

3. Which fields are funded? +

Agricultural economics, agronomy, plant or crop production, soil science and other studies relevant to potatoes, at BTech, honours, Master's and PhD level, and for undergraduates entering at least their second year.

4. How many bursaries are there? +

Four for the 2027 academic year.

5. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens with Matric entering their second or a later year of full-time study at an accredited South African institution in 2027, with a strong academic record. Recipients must work in the potato industry for as long as they were funded.

6. How do I apply? +

Online through the Microsoft Forms link on potatoes.co.za, attaching a single PDF with your certified ID, Matric and qualification certificates, recent transcripts, proof of admission or registration, proof of household income and, for Master's and PhD applicants, a supervisor's progress report.

Update note (checked September 2026): the 2027 round offered four bursaries and closed on 31 August 2026. Expect the 2028 round to open in June or July 2027 and close at the end of August 2027. The details below are from the 2027 call.

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

Visit the provider’s website

About Potato Industry Development Trust

Industry trust (agriculture, levy-funded)

The Potato Industry Development Trust (PIDT) was established in 2004 and is funded through the statutory levy collected across South Africa's potato value chain. The PIDT channels that income into research, transformation and training through Potatoes South Africa…

Read the full Potato Industry Development Trust profile →

Address: 6 De Havilland Crescent, Persequor Techno Park, Pretoria, 0020
Phone: +27 12 349 1906
Website: potatoes.co.za

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.