Verified
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 agriculture and land reform.
- Registered name
- Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
- Type
- Public entity (agricultural research)
- Fields funded
- Agricultural and related sciences, mainly for research-linked study
- Website
- arc.agric.za
About the research behind this page
The ARC’s website did not return readable content when BursariesAfrica researched this profile on 15 September 2026. The information here comes from a provider record checked in August 2026 and from BursariesAfrica’s research into the ARC’s 2027 bursary round. Readers should confirm the details with the ARC before applying.
What the ARC does
The ARC carries out research, develops technology and transfers that technology to farmers across crops, livestock and natural resources. The ARC’s campuses and research institutes work on problems such as plant breeding, animal health, soil and water, and agricultural engineering. Much of that work depends on scientists who began as postgraduate students on ARC projects.
The ARC bursary calendar
The ARC’s bursary round for 2027 closed on 17 June 2026, and the ARC does not accept late applications. For 2028 study, BursariesAfrica expects the ARC to open its round around April 2027 and close it in June 2027. That mid-year timing suits students who already know which research project or supervisor they want to work with.
How to research the ARC yourself
Because ARC bursaries are closely tied to research, start by identifying the ARC institute that works in your field, for example grain crops, vegetables, animal production or soil and climate. Contact a researcher at that institute and ask whether they supervise students and whether their project has funding. A student who applies with a supervisor’s support usually understands the project far better than one who applies cold.
Ask the ARC’s human capital or student office which qualifications and levels the next round will cover, what the bursary pays, and whether students must carry out their research at an ARC campus. Keep a note of the April opening, because ARC calls can close within weeks.
Honours and master’s students should also check whether the ARC advertises projects with bursaries attached through their university department, because ARC scientists often co-supervise students registered at nearby universities.
Agricultural science students can compare the ARC with other funders on our Science Bursaries page.
