South African, Zimbabwean, and Swazi students pursuing agricultural qualifications are invited to apply for the Citrus Academy Bursary Programme for the 2026 academic year. This partial bursary aims to support students committed to careers in citrus production, research, and related disciplines.
About Citrus Academy
Established in 2005, the Citrus Academy is a non-profit organisation initiated by the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa. Its mission is to develop skilled professionals for the citrus sector, tackling challenges such as critical skills shortages, transformation, and education quality within the industry.
By 2006, the Academy launched the Citrus Academy Bursary Fund, which has since become the largest privately funded bursary initiative in primary agriculture in the region.
Fields of Study Funded
The bursary supports both undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing studies in fields relevant to the citrus industry. These include:
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Management
- Entomology
- Horticulture
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Plant Pathology
- Plant Production
- Soil Science
What the Bursary Covers
The Citrus Academy Bursary is a partial bursary that covers various study-related expenses, including:
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks and stationery
- Accommodation and meals
- Research expenses for postgraduate students
- Other academic costs as necessary
Student Obligations
Successful applicants must:
- Sign a Bursary Agreement with Citrus Academy
- Maintain the required academic performance standards
- Commit to the Citrus Academy Code of Conduct
- Complete a work-back period in the citrus industry equal to the duration of bursary funding received
Who Can Apply
To qualify for the bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of South Africa, Zimbabwe, or Swaziland
- Have completed Matric
- Be studying full-time or part-time in a citrus-related field
- Be entering 2nd year or higher in 2026
- Be enrolled at a recognised South African tertiary institution (university, college, or university of technology)
- Be interested in pursuing a long-term career within the citrus industry
Additional selection factors include:
- Academic merit and financial need
- Previously disadvantaged status
- Gender (female applicants are encouraged to apply)
- Disability (students with disabilities are welcomed)
- Background or link to the citrus industry
Applicants must also meet all requirements outlined in the Citrus Academy Bursary Agreement.
How to Apply
Students must apply online at:
Citrus Academy Bursary Application 2026
Please note: You must register an account before you can log in and complete the application.
Required Supporting Documents
All applications must include clear copies of the following certified documents:
- South African ID or passport (if from Zimbabwe or Swaziland)
- Final Matric certificate or secondary school results
- Most recent academic transcript (tertiary level)
- A motivational essay (max 500 words) detailing:
- Why you chose your field of study
- Your connection to the citrus industry
- How you plan to give back to the sector after graduating
- Postgraduate applicants must also provide:
- Details of their proposed research project
- Name and contact details of their supervisor
Incomplete applications or missing documentation may result in disqualification.
Bursary Selection Process
Once the application deadline has passed, all submissions will be evaluated using a weighted scoring system. For postgraduate students, the relevance of their research will be reviewed by experts within the citrus field.
Top-scoring applicants and current bursary recipients continuing their studies will be shortlisted. These names are then submitted for final approval and funding allocation.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by mid-December 2025. If you have not received feedback by then, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Closing Date
The application deadline is 15 September 2025. Be sure to submit all required documents before this date to ensure your application is considered.
Contact Details
For general bursary queries:
Tel: 031 765 3410 / 031 765 3412 / 086 546 7808
Email: learnmore@citrusacademy.org.za
For technical support:
Email: candice@citrusacademy.org.za