Oil and Protein Seeds Development Trust Bursary 2027: Requirements and Closing Date
The University of Pretoria has opened applications for the 2027 Oil and Protein Seeds Development Trust (OPDT) Postgraduate Bursary, offering funded Master’s and Doctoral research opportunities in oilseeds research through the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. The bursary is administered jointly through the OAC (Oilseeds Advisory Committee) and OPDT, and is aimed at deserving postgraduate students who want to contribute to high-quality scientific research in this field.
If you are a South African postgraduate student in agricultural sciences with a research focus that touches on oilseeds, this is a specialised funding route worth applying for before the internal closing date.
About the Oil and Protein Seeds Development Trust Bursary
Funds are made available on an annual basis by the OPDT to assist deserving candidates in obtaining a Master’s or Doctoral degree. The objective of the OAC/OPDT Postgraduate Research Scholarship is to give students the opportunity to obtain a postgraduate qualification that contributes to high-quality scientific research in oilseeds, with the expectation that graduates will go on to support the OPDT’s broader vision and mission.
Two Tiers of Funding
The bursary offers two distinct levels of support:
Master’s Bursary
Aims to train deserving students to become competent, independent researchers. The bursary is paid for a maximum of two years.
Doctoral Bursary
Awarded only to students who have already demonstrated their ability as researchers, and who will be working on a research project regarded as high priority by the oilseeds sector. The bursary is paid for a maximum of three years.
Successful candidates should not assume the bursary will automatically continue in successive years. Renewal for subsequent years is only considered once proof of progress from the supervisor is submitted as part of the supporting documents.
Requirements
To qualify for the OPDT Postgraduate Bursary, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of the Republic of South Africa
- Have qualified for admission to a Master’s or Doctoral degree at a recognised tertiary institution
- Conduct an approved research project under the guidance of a recognised promotor at a recognised university
- Ensure the research project is a major component of the requirements for their postgraduate qualification
Students interested in confirming whether their intended research project qualifies should contact the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences directly, since not every postgraduate research topic will be considered an approved oilseeds-related project.
Important Application Rule
Applications for the OPDT bursary cannot be submitted directly by individuals. Only applications submitted through the University of Pretoria’s Postgraduate Scholarship Office will be considered. If you are applying, you need to go through UP’s internal scholarship process rather than approaching the OPDT independently.
Key Dates
- Internal UP closing date: 21 September 2026
Because this is an internal closing date set by the university rather than a direct external deadline, applicants should not wait until the last moment, since UP’s own processing and submission steps still need to happen before the OPDT receives the application.
How to Apply
- Confirm your research project qualifies by contacting the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
- Secure a recognised promotor to guide your approved research project.
- Access the necessary guidelines, application forms and completion tips, available on the university’s funding website.
- Compile your application as a single PDF document.
- Send your completed application to pgbursary@up.ac.za, clearly indicating the bursary name in the subject line.
Visit the official website for more information
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the OPDT Postgraduate Bursary? South African citizens who have qualified for admission to a Master’s or Doctoral degree at a recognised tertiary institution, with an approved oilseeds-related research project.
Can I apply directly to the OPDT? No. Applications may not be made directly to the OAC/OPDT by individuals. Only applications submitted through UP’s Postgraduate Scholarship Office will be considered.
How long does the bursary last? Up to two years for a Master’s degree, and up to three years for a Doctoral degree.
Will my bursary automatically renew each year? No. Renewal for subsequent years depends on proof of progress submitted by your supervisor as part of your supporting documents.
What is the closing date? The internal University of Pretoria closing date is 21 September 2026.
Where do I send my application? To pgbursary@up.ac.za, as a single PDF document, with the bursary name clearly indicated in the subject line.
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