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Hortgro Bursary South Africa 2027

The Hortgro Bursary provides financial support to South African students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies relevant to the country’s deciduous fruit industry. The programme is designed to help develop future industry leaders, researchers and skilled professionals who can contribute to agriculture, horticulture, sustainability and other areas of the fruit value chain.

Hortgro’s bursary programme supports students in a range of agricultural and related fields and can provide financial assistance together with opportunities for mentorship, internships and exposure to industry professionals. Hortgro says it has invested more than R55 million in bursaries over the past decade.

For the 2027 academic year, applications opened on 15 May 2026 and closed on 15 August 2026 at 23:59.

Last verified: September 2026. Bursary requirements, supported fields, benefits and application dates may change between intakes. Always check the latest information from Hortgro before applying for a future intake.

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE HORTGRO BURSARY COVER?

The Hortgro Bursary supports qualifications that are relevant to the deciduous fruit industry. The 2027 programme included the following fields of study:

  • Agri-Management
  • Agricultural Biotechnology
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Agricultural Science
  • Entomology
  • Horticulture – Production
  • Horticulture – Post-Harvest
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Project Management
  • Soil and Water Science

These fields reflect the wide range of skills required by the deciduous fruit industry. The sector needs professionals involved in crop production, plant health, agricultural research, water and soil management, technology, business, marketing and project management.

Hortgro’s official bursary information also describes the programme more broadly as supporting agricultural sciences, horticulture, business management and environmental sustainability. The exact list of supported qualifications can change between application cycles.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HORTGRO BURSARY?

The Hortgro Bursary is aimed at South African students who are studying or intend to study towards qualifications relevant to the deciduous fruit industry. The programme considers both undergraduate and postgraduate applicants.

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be currently enrolled in, or applying for, an undergraduate or postgraduate programme.
  • Be studying or intending to study in a field relevant to the deciduous fruit industry.
  • Study at a recognised tertiary institution in South Africa.
  • Meet the admission requirements for the chosen qualification.
  • Demonstrate academic excellence.
  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in the agricultural and deciduous fruit industry.
  • Show potential to contribute to the industry in the future.

Hortgro states that selection is based on factors including academic excellence, passion for the industry and the applicant’s potential future contribution to the deciduous fruit sector.

Applicants should not assume that meeting the basic requirements guarantees funding. Hortgro assesses applications and selects recipients according to the programme’s requirements and available bursary opportunities.

WHAT DOES THE HORTGRO BURSARY COVER?

The Hortgro Bursary can provide financial assistance towards tertiary education. Hortgro states that the programme offers full or partial coverage of tuition fees together with a stipend for study-related expenses.

  • Full or partial tuition fees
  • A stipend for study-related expenses
  • Internship opportunities
  • Mentorship from industry professionals
  • Access to Hortgro’s professional and industry network

The exact funding package may differ between students and application cycles. Applicants should therefore not assume that every bursary recipient will receive the same amount or cover for every expense.

One of the advantages of the Hortgro Bursary is that the programme goes beyond financial assistance. Successful recipients can gain practical exposure and connections with professionals working in the deciduous fruit industry.

WHAT DOES HORTGRO EXPECT FROM BURSARY RECIPIENTS?

Receiving the Hortgro Bursary comes with responsibilities. Hortgro’s bursary information states that recipients are expected to remain engaged with the programme and provide information about their academic progress.

  • Provide quarterly updates about their wellbeing and studies.
  • Submit their semester results.
  • Maintain good behaviour throughout their studies.
  • Attend Hortgro functions when required.

Recipients should therefore understand that the bursary is not simply a once-off payment. Continued participation and satisfactory progress are important parts of being a Hortgro bursary recipient.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE HORTGRO BURSARY?

The Hortgro Bursary uses an online application process. Applicants must complete the application and provide the information and supporting documents requested by Hortgro.

STEP 1: CHECK THAT YOUR FIELD OF STUDY QUALIFIES

Before starting your application, check that your qualification is relevant to the deciduous fruit industry and falls within the fields supported by the current Hortgro programme.

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Prepare your identification documents, academic results, proof of registration or application, financial documents and other supporting information before completing the online application.

STEP 3: PREPARE YOUR ESSAY AND MOTIVATION

The application requires an essay covering information about yourself, your career plans, where you see yourself in the agricultural environment in future and why you should be awarded the bursary. Applicants should make their motivation specific to the agricultural and deciduous fruit industry.

STEP 4: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION

Applicants should complete the official Hortgro Bursary Application and ensure that the information supplied agrees with the supporting documents.

STEP 5: SUBMIT BEFORE THE DEADLINE

Applications for the 2027 academic year had to be submitted by 15 August 2026 at 23:59. Applicants should submit well before the deadline to avoid problems with documents, internet connectivity or the online application form.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE HORTGRO BURSARY?

Applicants should prepare the supporting documents required for the bursary application. Documents requested for the programme include:

  • Certified copy of your South African ID or both sides of your ID card.
  • Certified copy of your Matric certificate, if you have completed Matric.
  • Latest Matric results, if you are currently in Grade 12.
  • Latest tertiary academic record, if you are already studying.
  • Proof of tertiary registration, where applicable.
  • An estimated breakdown of study fees, including tuition, books and accommodation.
  • Certified copies of parents’ or guardians’ ID documents.
  • Proof of parents’ or guardians’ income, such as payslips or an affidavit where applicable.
  • Proof of any other financial assistance, bursaries or loans being received.
  • The required essay about yourself, your career plans and your future in the agricultural environment.
  • Two contactable references.

Hortgro may request additional information or documentation during the assessment process. Applicants should keep copies of everything submitted with their application.

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE HORTGRO BURSARY?

The closing date for the Hortgro Bursary 2027 was 15 August 2026 at 23:59.

The 2027 application period opened on 15 May 2026. Hortgro’s official bursary page confirmed that applications for the 2027 academic year closed on 15 August 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Students who missed the 2027 application deadline should monitor Hortgro’s official bursary information for the next intake. Do not assume that late applications will be accepted.

HOW CAN I CONTACT HORTGRO ABOUT THE BURSARY?

Students with questions about the Hortgro Bursary can contact Hortgro directly using the bursary contact details provided by the organisation.

Telephone: 021 870 2900
Email: learn@hortgro.co.za

Hortgro advises students seeking more information about the bursary programme to contact learn@hortgro.co.za. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

WHAT DOES HORTGRO DO?

Hortgro is a South African industry organisation representing the deciduous fruit industry. Its work covers areas including research and technology, production, transformation, markets and communication.

The deciduous fruit industry includes crops such as apples, pears and stone fruit. Hortgro works with industry stakeholders to support the development and long-term sustainability of the sector.

The Hortgro Bursary forms part of this broader investment in people. By supporting students in agriculture, horticulture, science, business and other relevant fields, the programme aims to develop the skills needed by the deciduous fruit industry.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HORTGRO BURSARY

IS THE HORTGRO BURSARY FOR UNDERGRADUATE OR POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS?

The Hortgro Bursary supports both undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying or applying to study in fields relevant to the deciduous fruit industry. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

DOES THE HORTGRO BURSARY COVER FULL TUITION?

Hortgro states that the programme can provide full or partial tuition-fee coverage, together with a stipend for study-related expenses. The exact funding arrangement can vary.

DOES THE HORTGRO BURSARY PROVIDE A STIPEND?

Yes. Hortgro states that the bursary programme can provide a stipend for study-related expenses. The amount and conditions should be confirmed for the relevant intake.

DOES THE HORTGRO BURSARY PROVIDE A MENTOR?

Yes. Hortgro’s programme includes opportunities for mentorship and practical exposure through internships and connections with industry professionals. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

IS THE HORTGRO BURSARY RENEWABLE?

Funding may continue for successful recipients subject to the programme’s conditions and satisfactory academic progress. Recipients are expected to submit academic results and remain engaged with Hortgro throughout their studies.

WHAT DOES HORTGRO EXPECT FROM BURSARY RECIPIENTS?

Recipients are expected to provide quarterly updates about their wellbeing and studies, submit semester results, maintain good behaviour and attend Hortgro functions when required.

CAN I APPLY FOR THE HORTGRO BURSARY AFTER THE CLOSING DATE?

No late applications should be assumed to be accepted. The 2027 application deadline was 15 August 2026 at 23:59. Students who missed the deadline should wait for the next official application cycle.

WHAT CAN I STUDY WITH THE HORTGRO BURSARY?

Fields supported by the 2027 programme included Agri-Management, Agricultural Biotechnology, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Science, Entomology, Horticulture, Marketing, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Project Management and Soil and Water Science.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU APPLY

  • The Hortgro Bursary 2027 application period opened on 15 May 2026.
  • The 2027 closing date was 15 August 2026 at 23:59.
  • The programme supports undergraduate and postgraduate study.
  • Qualifications must be relevant to the deciduous fruit industry.
  • Supported fields include agriculture, horticulture, agricultural science, plant pathology, entomology, soil and water science, agri-management and other related areas.
  • Funding can include full or partial tuition support and a stipend for study-related expenses.
  • Recipients can gain access to mentorship, internships and industry networks.
  • Recipients are expected to provide academic updates and remain engaged with Hortgro.
  • Requirements and funding arrangements can change between application cycles.

If you missed the 2027 Hortgro Bursary intake, you can continue checking Grads24 for other Agriculture Bursaries South Africa and other bursaries available for future academic years.

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