Maize Trust Bursary Scheme

1. 1

   Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria (SA citizen, registered or accepted for an MSc by dissertation or PhD research degree at a recognised South African institution, with research relevant to the maize industry)

2. 2

   Visit the Maize Trust Bursary application page on the Agri Manage Solutions site (agrimanage.co.za) or the Grain SA Maize Trust Bursary Scheme page

3. 3

   Download and review the scheme's Overview, Application Form, Policy Procedure and Study Fields documents

4. 4

   Have your proposed research topic confirmed as relevant to the South African maize industry (the Trust must approve the research before it commences)

5. 5

   Complete the official application form and gather all required supporting documents

6. 6

   Submit your completed application and documents before the closing date (applications open 1 September and close 30 September annually)

7. 7

   Wait for the outcome - successful applicants are notified within about 8 weeks of the closing date

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Maize Trust Bursary?

South African citizens who are enrolled or accepted for full-time study towards a Master's (MSc) by dissertation or a Doctoral (PhD) research degree at a recognised South African tertiary institution. The proposed dissertation or thesis research must be relevant to the South African maize industry and approved by the Trust before it commences. It is a postgraduate-only scheme.

How much funding does the Maize Trust Bursary provide?

An MSc/Master's by dissertation is funded at R99,750 per annum for up to two years, and a PhD/Doctoral research degree is funded at R131,250 per annum for up to three years. Applicants should not be receiving any other bursary or study-related funding unless the Trust has explicitly approved it.

When do applications open and close?

Applications open on 1 September and close on 30 September each year (some administrator pages cite a 1 October cut-off for the 2026 cycle). Successful applicants are usually notified within about 8 weeks of the closing date.

Is there a work-back obligation?

Yes. Recipients are expected to work in the South African maize industry for a period equal to the period for which the bursary was awarded - for example, two years for a funded MSc or three years for a funded PhD.