ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

The Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) of Southern Africa formed the non-profit Citrus Academy in 2005 as a means of fostering the development of human capital in the region's citrus sector. The Academy is in charge of resolving the problems and difficulties that the citrus industry has, such as poor production skills levels, employment equity, black economic empowerment, and the scarcity and criticality of skills.

The Citrus Academy Bursary Fund was established by the Academy in 2006 and is currently the largest private bursary fund in primary agriculture and among the largest in the primary sector.

FIELDS COVERED

The following agriculturally related fields will get bursaries for study:

• Entomology
• Agricultural Management
• Plant Production
• Mechanical Engineering
• Horticulture
• Agriculture
• Microbiology
• Plant Pathology
• Soil Science
• Agricultural Economics
• Industrial Engineering

BURSARY COVERAGE AND OBLIGATIONS

Tuition fees, required books, stationery, housing, food, research expenditures (for postgraduate students), and other study-related expenses will all be covered by the scholarship. The bursary does not offer complete funding; it will only cover a portion of it.

Citrus Academy will require bursary beneficiaries to sign a Bursary Agreement. In addition, they will have to abide bythe Citrus Academy Code of Conduct and meet specific academic requirements.

As part of the "work back service contract", bursary recipients will be obliged to work in the citrus business after graduation. The work time will be at least as long as the bursary financing duration, which is one year of work for one year of funding.

BURSARY SELECTION

Following the successful submission of their application, applicants will receive a notification.

• Following the bursary's application deadline, applicants will be ranked and given a score based on a weighted scoring system.
• Citrus experts and scholars from a variety of disciplines will rank postgraduate applications according to their priority and significance. To make this process easier, postgraduate students are required to submit information on their research project and supervisor.
• Top applicants will be shortlisted along with current bursary winners who want to continue their education when the scoring process is over.
• Following the submission of shortlisted candidates for approval, funds will be obtained.
• By the middle of December 2025, the chosen candidates will be notified. Please consider your application a failure if you don't hear back.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Before applying, candidates must meet the following minimal standards:

• You must be a citizen of Swaziland, Zimbabwe, or South Africa.
• You must have finished your matriculation.
• You must be pursuing a degree in a subject associated with citrus production or research, whether full-time or part-time.
• In 2026, you must be starting your second or advanced year of study.
• You must be enrolled in a South African university, college, or university of technology that is recognized and approved.
• You must be interested in working in the citrus sector and fulfil all requirements listed in theCitrus Academy Bursary Agreement

if you don't meet them all, your application won't be taken into consideration.

The following primary factors will be taken into consideration when choosing candidates: financial need, academic credentials, prior disadvantaged status, relevant field of study, prior involvement with the citrus industry, gender (female students will be given preference), and disability (students with disabilities are encouraged to apply).

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE CITRUS ACADEMY BURSARY

Submit your application online via2026 Bursary Application

With your online application, provide clear copies of the following supporting documents:

• Identity document (certified copy)
• A passport or other kind of identification if you're a Swaziland or Zimbabwean national
• Results of secondary education (certified copy)
• The most current certified copy of your tertiary academic record
• The following is explained in a motivational essay: Why you want to continue your education, your experience in the citrus sector, and how you want to contribute to the citrus sector and citrus enterprise after completing your studies (no more than 500 words)
• Details of your research study (postgraduate students)

 submitting these documents is required; otherwise, your application may be rejected

CLOSING DATE: September 15, 2025.

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE BURSARY PROVIDER

Please get in touch with Citrus Academy directly if you have any questions about this bursary program:

Telephone:086 546 7808/ 031 765 3410/ 031 765 3412

 Email:learnmore@citrusacademy.org.za

Contact:candice@citrusacademy.org.zafor technical assistance.

For more bursary opportunities go toview more bursaries