South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST)

The South African Association for Food Science and Technology, SAAFoST, marked its 50th anniversary in 2010 with a limited-edition history, SAAFoST, The First Fifty Years, compiled by honorary life member Dr Bernard Cole. Past president and archivist Ron Timm later adapted the book for the association’s website so members could add information and photographs.

Registered name

South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST)

Type

Professional association (food science)

Fields funded

Food science and food technology

Website

saafost.org.za

Phone

012 349 2788

The SAAFoST Foundation’s track record

SAAFoST runs its bursaries through the SAAFoST Foundation, which describes its goal as building South Africa’s next generation of food scientists and technologists. The foundation reports that 95 graduates have started careers through its bursary programme since it began, a figure that gives prospective applicants a sense of how selective the programme is.

Donors fund the bursaries, and SAAFoST publishes a list of bursary donors on its website. The association also runs an Employ a Student page, where food companies can find students for vacation work or graduate posts, which connects bursars with the industry beyond the money itself.

Named awards

Besides the foundation bursary, SAAFoST offers study grants and scholarships named after people who shaped the profession, including the Aubrey Parsons Study Grant and the Brian Koeppen Memorial Scholarship. BursariesAfrica has not yet confirmed 2027 dates or amounts for these awards, so treat the pages below as introductions and check the current rules with SAAFoST.

An active professional community

SAAFoST organises conferences and events for the food science community. In 2026 the association promoted AfroSense 2026, a hybrid conference on sensory science in Africa, with registration closing on 10 November 2026. Students who join events like this meet the scientists and companies that fund and employ food science graduates.

SAAFoST’s national secretariat and regional branches handle membership and enquiries. Before applying for any SAAFoST award, contact the association, confirm that the award is running this year, and ask whether student membership is required.

If you are unsure whether food science suits you, SAAFoST’s regional branch events give you a chance to speak to working food technologists before you commit to an application. Ask a lecturer in your food science department which SAAFoST awards past students received.

Students in food science can compare SAAFoST’s awards with the manufacturers and research bodies on our Science Bursaries page.