The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027 is now open for applications. If you are a South African citizen between 18 and 35 years old, currently unemployed, and you have completed an Honours degree (for Masters) or a Masters degree (for Doctoral), this opportunity could help you further your studies in agricultural sciences. The Agricultural Research Council is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme for the 2027 academic year. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027: who qualifies, what fields are covered, what benefits are offered, and how to apply before the closing date.
About the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme for the 2027 academic year. The ARC is dedicated to supporting postgraduate research in agricultural sciences and related fields, contributing to the development of skilled professionals who can address South Africa’s agricultural and socioeconomic challenges.
Organisation: Agricultural Research Council (ARC) • Study levels: Doctoral and Master of Science • Academic Year: 2027
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027 will be awarded for Doctoral and Master of Science studies within the following Agricultural fields:
- Agribusiness Management
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Extension
- Agricultural Management
- Econometrics
- Environmental & Natural Resources Management
- Gender Studies
- Information Systems
- Intellectual Property Management and Commercialisation
- International Relations
- Knowledge Management
- Social Sciences
- Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) Computable General Equilibrium Models (CGE), Agent based Modelling
- Socioeconomics
What Opportunities Does the Bursary Offer?
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027 offers the following benefits:
- The opportunity to be paired with senior ARC professionals through a mentorship programme
- Possible work placement opportunities at the ARC and other affiliated organisations, subject to availability of positions
- Thesis/dissertation/research publications and printing costs funding
- Access to ARC Laboratories and research facilities for your trials
- The opportunity to work on real-life projects that address socioeconomic challenges through your research (ARC co-supervision)
- Research skills training workshops to sharpen your academic writing skills
Funding Duration
- Maximum of three (3) years for master’s programme
- Maximum of five (5) years for doctoral programme
Eligibility Requirements for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027
Before you apply for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027, check that you meet all the requirements below. If you miss any requirement, your application will not be considered.
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be between 18 and 35 years old
- You must be currently unemployed
- You must be studying or intend on studying towards a Doctoral or Masters degree in one of the Agricultural Sciences or related fields listed above
- You must be studying or registered/accepted to study at a University in South Africa
- You must NOT be receiving any other bursary funding or NSFAS
Masters Bursary Applicants
- You must have completed an Honours degree in one of the Agricultural related fields listed above
Doctoral Bursary Applicants
- You must have completed a Masters/MSc degree in one of the Agricultural related fields listed above
Preference will be given to: Students from designated groups, in terms of the Agricultural Research Council Employment Equity Plan.
Required Documents
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027. All documents must be certified.
- Cover letter
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- ID document
- Driver’s license
- Certificates of completed qualifications
- Foreign qualifications: SAQA evaluation report (if applicable)
- Proof of registration / acceptance at a university (on institution’s letterhead)
- 3 contactable referees
Important Information
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 4 weeks after the closing date. If you do not receive any feedback by this time, please consider your application unsuccessful
- Candidates will be subject to a positive security clearance (as well as competency and leadership assessments)
How to Apply for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027
Follow these steps to submit your application for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027. Applications are submitted online.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements listed above, including being a South African citizen aged 18-35, currently unemployed, and having the required prior degree qualification.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all the required documents listed above, ensuring they are certified copies. This includes your cover letter, CV, ID, driver’s license, qualification certificates, proof of registration, and three referees.
Step 3: Complete the Online Application
Click the appropriate button below to go to the official ARC application portal for your study level.
Masters Bursary Application
Reference number: ARC-925
Doctoral Bursary Application
Reference number: ARC-926
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
⏰ Closing Date for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027: 17 June 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.
Contact Information
If you have any queries related to the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027, please contact the ARC directly:
- Contact person: Mr Ndikho Mbuce
- Email: arcpdp@arc.agric.za
Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027 – Quick Summary
- Organisation: Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
- Bursary Name: ARC Bursary Programme
- Academic Year: 2027
- Who can apply: South African citizens aged 18-35, currently unemployed
- Study levels: Masters (requires Honours degree) and Doctoral (requires Masters degree)
- Fields of study: Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Management, Econometrics, Environmental & Natural Resources Management, Gender Studies, Information Systems, Intellectual Property Management, International Relations, Knowledge Management, Social Sciences, SAM/CGE/Agent based Modelling, Socioeconomics
- Funding duration: Max 3 years for Masters, max 5 years for Doctoral
- What is included: Mentorship, work placement opportunities, research publication funding, lab access, real-life project work, research skills workshops
- Key requirements: No other bursary funding or NSFAS, must be registered/accepted at a South African university
- Required documents: Cover letter, CV, ID, driver’s license, qualification certificates, SAQA evaluation (if foreign), proof of registration, 3 referees
- Application method: Online via MCIDirectHire portal
- Reference numbers: ARC-925 (Masters), ARC-926 (Doctoral)
- Closing date: 17 June 2026
- Notification period: Within 4 weeks after closing date
Frequently Asked Questions About the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027
1. Can I apply if I am currently employed?
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027 requires applicants to be currently unemployed. If you are employed, you are not eligible for this bursary.
2. Can I apply if I am over 35 years old?
No. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027 requires applicants to be between 18 and 35 years old. Applicants over 35 will not be considered.
3. Can I apply if I am receiving NSFAS funding?
No. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027 requires that you are NOT receiving any other bursary funding or NSFAS.
4. What is the maximum funding duration?
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027 provides a maximum of three (3) years for a master’s programme and a maximum of five (5) years for a doctoral programme.
5. Do I need a driver’s license to apply?
Yes. A driver’s license is listed as a required document for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027.
6. What is the SAQA evaluation report for foreign qualifications?
If you have foreign qualifications, you must submit a SAQA evaluation report to verify that your qualifications are recognised in South Africa for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027.
7. When will I know if my application was successful?
Shortlisted candidates for the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary South Africa 2027 will be contacted within 4 weeks after the closing date (17 June 2026). If you do not receive any feedback by this time, please consider your application unsuccessful.
8. Where can I find more agricultural postgraduate bursaries?
Visit EduFunds agricultural bursaries page for more funding opportunities in agricultural sciences.
Looking for more study funding? Explore all bursaries for 2027 on EduFunds.co.za
Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
Bursary Programme 2027
Advancing agricultural research • Developing postgraduate talent • Building South Africa’s food future