- WHAT IS THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY?
- WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY COVER?
- WHAT ARE THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY REQUIREMENTS?
- WHAT DOES THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY COVER?
- HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY?
- WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY?
- WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY?
- HOW DO I CONTACT THE MAIZE TRUST ABOUT THE BURSARY?
- ABOUT THE MAIZE TRUST
- MAIZE TRUST BURSARY FAQ
The Maize Trust Bursary is a postgraduate research funding programme established to develop skills that contribute to the South African maize industry. The Trust provides bursaries for full-time Master’s and Doctoral research in approved fields relevant to maize production, science and the wider agricultural industry.
The programme is therefore different from general undergraduate bursaries: your research topic must be relevant to the South African maize industry and approved by the Maize Trust. This page explains the fields, study levels, requirements, funding, application process, documents and current application dates.
WHAT IS THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY?
The Maize Trust Bursary Scheme provides financial support to postgraduate students whose research can contribute to the South African maize industry. The programme supports Master’s by dissertation and Doctoral research at recognised South African tertiary institutions.
The bursary forms part of the Maize Trust’s wider purpose of supporting research, market information and transformation initiatives that benefit the maize industry. The Trust was established in 1998 following the closure of the Maize Board and continues to fund programmes aimed at improving the South African maize industry.
The bursary is administered through the Trust’s appointed administrative service provider, with the current application process hosted by Agri Manage Solutions.
WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY COVER?
The Maize Trust currently considers postgraduate research in the following agricultural and scientific fields:
- Agronomy
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Meteorology
- Biometry
- Food Sciences relevant to the crop industry
- Livestock Sciences
- Molecular Biology
- Pasture Sciences
- Plant Biochemistry
- Plant Breeding
- Plant Entomology
- Plant Nematology
- Plant Pathology
- Plant Physiology
- Soil Microbiology
- Soil Science
- Weed Science
The important distinction is that the research must be relevant to the South African maize industry. A qualification that appears related to agriculture or science does not automatically qualify if the proposed research falls outside the Trust’s areas of interest.
Similar Bursaries:
- See other Agriculture Bursaries and Scholarsips in South Africa
- See other Science Bursaries and Scholarships available
- See other Bursaries Still Open for Application for 2027
WHAT ARE THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY REQUIREMENTS?
The bursary is intended specifically for postgraduate research rather than students beginning an undergraduate degree. Applicants must meet the programme’s academic, study and research requirements.
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must have completed Matric.
- You must be studying or intending to study full-time.
- You must be pursuing a Master’s by dissertation or Doctoral qualification.
- Your study must be at a tertiary institution recognised by the Maize Trust.
- Your proposed dissertation or thesis must address a topic that is relevant to the South African maize industry and approved by the Trust.
- You must not hold another bursary or study-related funding award unless the Maize Trust has agreed to the additional funding.
- You must agree to the conditions and legal undertaking associated with the bursary.
- You must comply with the programme’s requirements for academic progress and reporting.
The programme is research-focused, so your proposed research is an important part of the application. Before applying, make sure you can clearly explain how your Master’s or Doctoral research could benefit the maize industry.
WHAT DOES THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY COVER?
The value of the bursary depends on the postgraduate study level. For the 2027 intake, the published funding levels are:
| Study level | Funding | Funding period |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s by Dissertation | Up to R99,750 per year | Up to 2 years |
| Doctoral Research | Up to R131,250 per year | Up to 3 years |
Bursary payments are linked to approved academic progress reports submitted by the student and supervisor. For the 2027 intake, the first instalment is scheduled for January 2027.
The Maize Trust’s published bursary policy has historically provided for study-related costs such as tuition, books, living costs and other material required to complete the relevant studies. The exact allocation and conditions of an award are determined under the applicable bursary terms, so applicants should not assume that every expense will be paid separately or that historical funding arrangements will remain unchanged in future cycles.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY?
Applications are submitted online through the Maize Trust postgraduate bursary application administered by Agri Manage Solutions.
Applications are submitted online via Maize Trust Bursary Application 2027 official page.
Late applications will be rejected.
WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY?
The current application form requires applicants to prepare the following supporting information and documents:
- Certified South African ID or passport, not older than three months.
- Colour ID photograph.
- Updated curriculum vitae.
- Latest academic transcript or academic record on official university, college or technikon letterhead.
- Proof of registration and fee statement, where available.
- Proposed research title and description.
- Supporting Gantt chart for the proposed research.
- Supervisor details, including contact information.
- Motivation for the application.
The application form also requires applicants to complete the legal undertaking and confirm that the information supplied is accurate and complete. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE MAIZE TRUST BURSARY?
30 September 2026.
HOW DO I CONTACT THE MAIZE TRUST ABOUT THE BURSARY?
The Maize Trust’s bursary administration is handled through its appointed administrators. For bursary-related enquiries, applicants can use the contact details published for the administration of the Trust:
- Telephone: 012 807 3958
- Email: admin@agrimanage.co.za
- Application website: Agri Manage Solutions
- Maize Trust website: maizetrust.co.za
The Maize Trust’s office is located at Grain Building Agri-Hub Office Park, 477/478 Witherite Street, Die Wilgers, Pretoria, 0184.
ABOUT THE MAIZE TRUST
The Maize Trust is an industry trust established in 1998 to support the development and competitiveness of South Africa’s maize industry. Its work includes funding market and production-related research, market information and transformation initiatives.
The Trust does not operate as a general student funding organisation. Its bursary programme is specifically aligned with the development of postgraduate skills and research that can contribute to the maize industry.