Who can apply for the SAMAC Bursary Programme?

South African citizens who have completed Matric (or are in Matric), have excellent academic results and proven financial need, and are studying or intend to study an agriculture degree or diploma at a recognised South African institution. Postgraduate research must benefit the macadamia industry, and students whose family works in the macadamia industry get preference.

What does the SAMAC Bursary cover and how much is it worth?

Bursary funds can be used for tuition fees, prescribed textbooks and student accommodation. SAMAC does not publish a fixed rand amount.

How do I apply for the SAMAC Bursary?

Download the undergraduate or postgraduate application form from SAMAC's Skills Development page, then, while the window is open, submit your details through SAMAC's online application form and upload the signed documents. Applications go through internal review, the SAMAC Transformation Committee and the SAMAC Board, and successful applicants are notified by email.

When does the SAMAC Bursary close?

The window for 2027 funding ran from 1 July to 11 September 2026 and has closed. The 2026 round closed on 31 January 2026, so the timing has changed between cycles; as of 12 October 2026 SAMAC had not announced dates for 2028 funding.

Do I have to repay the bursary?

Only in certain cases. The bursary is reviewed every semester; failing to maintain good academic standing can lead to cancellation and full repayment, and you must refund it if you stop studying for more than six months without completing your qualification. Parents or guardians sign a surety agreement.

Agriculture

SAMAC Bursary Programme

Macadamias South Africa NPC (SAMAC) (self-administered via the SAMAC office; studies completed at accredited South African tertiary institutions)

The SAMAC Bursary Programme is run by Macadamias South Africa NPC (SAMAC), the industry body for South Africa's macadamia sector, to support academically outstanding South African students with proven financial need. It funds undergraduate and postgraduate studies in agriculture and related plant and crop sciences at accredited South African tertiary institutions, covering tuition, prescribed textbooks and accommodation. Postgraduate applicants must propose research that benefits the macadamia industry, and undergraduate and postgraduate streams use separate application forms.

Amount: Not publicly disclosed by the official source. The bursary covers tuition fees, prescribed/required textbooks and student accommodation; no fixed rand amount is stated by SAMAC.
Deadline: Closed 11 September 2026
Renewable: Yes

2027 applications closed

Visit official site

Eligible Fields of Study

Macadamias South Africa NPC (SAMAC) (self-administered via the SAMAC office; studies completed at accredited South African tertiary institutions) supports students in the following disciplines

Agriculture (with emphasis on crop production and horticulture)

Horticultural Science

Agronomy

Crop Protection

Crop Science

Entomology

Microbiology

Plant Pathology

Plant Physiology

Plant Science

Soil Science

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen
✓ Completed Matric, or currently in Matric
✓ Studying, or intending to study, towards an agriculture degree or diploma at a recognised South African tertiary institution
✓ Excellent academic performance
✓ Proven financial need
✓ Postgraduate applicants: research in a field that benefits the macadamia industry (e.g. entomology, microbiology, plant science, plant pathology, crop science, agronomy, plant physiology, soil science or crop protection)
✓ Preference for students whose family works in the macadamia industry; awards reflect the country's demographics
✓ Undergraduate and postgraduate applicants use separate application forms, and parents or guardians must sign a surety agreement

What's Included

✓ Funding towards tuition fees
✓ Prescribed/required textbooks
✓ Student accommodation
✓ Supports studies in agriculture and related plant and crop sciences relevant to the macadamia industry

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Macadamias South Africa NPC (SAMAC) (self-administered via the SAMAC office; studies completed at accredited South African tertiary institutions) bursary application

1
Check eligibility and read SAMAC's bursary policy on its Skills Development page (samac.org.za/skills-development-overview/)
2
Download and complete the relevant application form - undergraduate or postgraduate (postgraduate applicants include a research proposal that benefits the macadamia industry)
3
During the open window, submit your details through SAMAC's online application form and upload the signed application documents
4
Submit before the closing date - the window for 2027 funding ran from 1 July to 11 September 2026
5
Applications are reviewed internally, presented to the SAMAC Transformation Committee and approved by the SAMAC Board; successful applicants are notified by email

Required Documents

📄 Copy of your valid South African ID
📄 Matric certificate, or latest academic record if currently in Matric
📄 Proof of tertiary admission or acceptance
📄 Parents' or guardians' proof of income (latest salary slip, affidavit if unemployed, or proof of SASSA or other government grants)
📄 Motivational letter
📄 Declaration of any other bursaries, loans or financial assistance
📄 Research proposal benefiting the macadamia industry (postgraduate applicants only)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the SAMAC Bursary Programme?: South African citizens who have completed Matric (or are in Matric), have excellent academic results and proven financial need, and are studying or intend to study an agriculture degree or diploma at a recognised South African institution. Postgraduate research must benefit the macadamia industry, and students whose family works in the macadamia industry get preference.
What does the SAMAC Bursary cover and how much is it worth?: Bursary funds can be used for tuition fees, prescribed textbooks and student accommodation. SAMAC does not publish a fixed rand amount.
How do I apply for the SAMAC Bursary?: Download the undergraduate or postgraduate application form from SAMAC's Skills Development page, then, while the window is open, submit your details through SAMAC's online application form and upload the signed documents. Applications go through internal review, the SAMAC Transformation Committee and the SAMAC Board, and successful applicants are notified by email.
When does the SAMAC Bursary close?: The window for 2027 funding ran from 1 July to 11 September 2026 and has closed. The 2026 round closed on 31 January 2026, so the timing has changed between cycles; as of 12 October 2026 SAMAC had not announced dates for 2028 funding.
Do I have to repay the bursary?: Only in certain cases. The bursary is reviewed every semester; failing to maintain good academic standing can lead to cancellation and full repayment, and you must refund it if you stop studying for more than six months without completing your qualification. Parents or guardians sign a surety agreement.

2027 applications have closed

The 2027 application window closed on 11 September 2026.

SAMAC's application window for 2027 funding ran from 1 July to 11 September 2026 and has closed. The previous round, for 2026, closed on 31 January 2026, so timing has moved; dates for 2028 funding had not been announced as of 12 October 2026.

Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.

Check Macadamias South Africa NPC (SAMAC) (self-administered via the SAMAC office; studies completed at accredited South African tertiary institutions)'s official site

Need help? Contact Macadamias South Africa NPC (SAMAC) (self-administered via the SAMAC office; studies completed at accredited South African tertiary institutions):

Email: office@samac.org.za

Phone: 012 001 4107

Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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