SANSOR Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

Key facts

Status
Applications open Closes 30 September 2026
Provider
SANSOR
Study level
Postgraduate
Academic year
2027
Last checked
September 2026

Applications for the 2027 academic year are open. SANSOR opens on 1 August and closes on 30 September every year, so this round closes on 30 September 2026.

Keagan HendricksWritten by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)
Naledi KhumaloReviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified
Open · closes 30 September 2026 · 6 days left Latest update ↓

The South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) is the industry body for seed companies and plant breeders. Its postgraduate bursary funds Honours, Master’s and PhD students whose research supports the seed industry, from plant breeding and genetics to plant pathology and pasture science.

About the SANSOR Bursary

The bursary supports postgraduate study at Honours, Master’s and PhD level at recognised South African institutions in:

  • Plant breeding, genetics and biotechnology.
  • Agronomy, horticulture and pasture science.
  • Plant pathology, plant physiology, molecular plant biology and entomology.

Awards are made on academic merit and renewed each year on satisfactory progress. The value is set by SANSOR for each cycle and paid towards fees and research costs.

SANSOR Bursary eligibility requirements

  • South African citizen by birth.
  • A completed undergraduate degree with a strong record; a 70% average is a realistic benchmark.
  • Enrolled, or accepted, for an Honours, Master’s or PhD at a recognised South African tertiary institution.
  • A research topic aligned with SANSOR’s vision and the needs of the seed industry.
  • Not receiving any other government funding.

How to apply for the SANSOR Bursary

  1. Open the SANSOR bursary application form linked from sansor.org.
  2. Complete the form, describing your proposed research and how it supports the seed industry.
  3. Upload your ID, your degree certificate if you have graduated, and academic transcripts for completed and current studies.
  4. Email the form and supporting documents to research@sansor.co.za before 30 September 2026. General queries go to info@sansor.co.za.

SANSOR Bursary closing date

Applications open on 1 August and close on 30 September every year, so the 2027 round closes on 30 September 2026. SANSOR publishes both dates on its own bursary page.

Contact details

Agricultural postgraduates should also apply to the SASCP bursary, AgriSETA and the NRF. See our postgraduate bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the SANSOR bursary close for 2027? +
30 September 2026. Applications open on 1 August and are emailed to research@sansor.co.za with the supporting documents.
2. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens by birth who have completed an undergraduate degree and are enrolled, or accepted, for an Honours, Master's or PhD at a recognised South African institution in a field that supports the seed industry, and who hold no other government funding.
3. Which fields are funded? +
Agronomy, biotechnology, entomology, genetics, horticulture, molecular plant biology, pasture science, plant breeding, plant pathology and plant physiology.
4. What does it cover? +
A contribution to fees and research costs, awarded on academic merit and renewed each year on satisfactory results. The amount is set by SANSOR each year.
5. What documents are required? +
Your ID, degree certificate where applicable, and academic transcripts for completed and current studies.
6. What is SANSOR? +
The South African National Seed Organization, the industry body for seed companies, which funds postgraduate research to build the plant breeders and scientists the seed industry needs.
Update note (checked September 2026): applications for the 2027 academic year are open and close on 30 September 2026. We could not find this date on the funder’s own website on 22 September 2026. It comes from bursary listings, so confirm it on the official application page before you rely on it.

Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.

Apply on the provider’s website

Or send your application by email:

research@sansor.co.za

About SANSOR

Industry body (seed industry)

The South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) represents the country's formal seed industry. SANSOR has served the industry for 35 years and supports 118 member seed companies, representing their interests locally and internationally. Registered nameSouth African National Seed…

Read the full SANSOR profile →

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