The Citrus Academy, the skills development arm of the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa, is inviting students to apply for its Bursary Fund for the 2027 academic year. The bursary supports students in citrus-related study fields such as agriculture, horticulture, plant pathology and agricultural engineering, covering tuition, books, accommodation and meals. Applications close on 15 September 2026, so register your student profile and apply online as soon as possible.
About the Programme
South Africa is one of the world’s largest exporters of fresh citrus, and the industry supports well over a hundred thousand jobs across the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The Citrus Academy Bursary Fund was established in its current form in 2006 to build a pipeline of skilled young people for this export powerhouse.
Bursaries are awarded in three categories: undergraduate studies, postgraduate studies and BEE bursary support. Beyond funding, the Academy connects bursars to the citrus industry through vacation work, experiential learning and its student community, which means recipients graduate with both a qualification and industry contacts. Successful candidates are informed by mid-December 2026.
What Is Covered
- Tuition fees (partial cover; the bursary does not provide unlimited full funding)
- Books and stationery
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Research costs for postgraduate students
Supported study fields include Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Management, Entomology, Horticulture, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Plant Production and Soil Science.
Who Can Apply
- Citizens of South Africa, Zimbabwe or Eswatini
- Students entering their 2nd year of study or higher in 2027 (first-year students are not funded)
- Enrolled or accepted in a citrus-related field of study listed above
- A genuine interest in building a career in the citrus industry
- Willingness to complete the work-back obligation in the citrus industry after graduation
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Required Documents
- Copy of your ID or passport
- Latest academic transcript or results
- Proof of registration or acceptance at your tertiary institution
- Proof of household income where requested
- Any additional documents requested on the online application platform
How to Apply
- Go to the Citrus Academy bursaries page using the link below.
- Join the Citrus Communities Student Community, where the Bursary Fund application is hosted.
- Register your student profile with accurate personal and academic details.
- Complete the online application form in full.
- Upload all required supporting documents.
- Submit before the closing date and keep an eye on your email; successful candidates are notified by mid-December 2026.
Closing Date
The closing date for the Citrus Academy Bursary 2027 is 15 September 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
Why It Matters
Agriculture is one of the few South African industries with a genuine skills shortage, and citrus is its export champion. While thousands of graduates chase the same corporate jobs in Johannesburg, the citrus value chain struggles to find qualified horticulturists, plant pathologists, agronomists and agricultural engineers, and pays competitively for them.
A Citrus Academy bursary does more than pay fees: the work-back requirement is effectively a job guarantee in an industry hungry for skills, with career paths on farms, in packhouses, in research and in export logistics. For students from rural provinces especially, this is a route to a professional agricultural career close to home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can first-year students apply?
No. The bursary is for students entering their 2nd year or higher in 2027. First-year students can apply in future years once they have university results.
Is this a full bursary?
No. The Citrus Academy bursary provides partial cover for tuition, books, accommodation and meals. You may combine it with other funding sources where their rules allow.
Do I have to work in the citrus industry afterwards?
Yes. Recipients must work in the citrus industry after graduation for a period at least equal to the period of funding received. Given the industry’s demand for skills, most bursars see this as an advantage.
When will I know if I was successful?
Successful candidates are informed by mid-December 2026. For queries, contact the Citrus Academy on 031 765 3410.
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