SA Soils Bursary Program 2025-2028
To support skills development and knowledge sharing in soil and land management, South Australians working with soils can apply for financial assistance through the Soils Collaboration Centre’s (SCC) South Australian Soils Bursary Program. The bursary aims to help individuals and groups participate in soil-focused training, events and learning activities that build knowledge, skills and professional networks across the state.
The bursary is open to university students, recent graduates, early-career participants and primary producers who are seeking to improve soil management capability and contribute to long-term soil health. Supported activities must align with the National Soil Strategy and focus on strengthening knowledge, capacity and collaboration in South Australia’s soils community.
Key dates
There will be six application periods in the 2026-2027 financial year, unless available funds are exhausted earlier. Applications close at 5.00pm (ACST) on the following dates:
- 17 July 2026
- 18 September 2026
- 13 November 2026
- 15 January 2027
- 12 March 2027
- 14 May 2027
Activities must occur between August 2026 and July 2027 to be eligible for funding. Funding will not be provided for events held before the application is approved.
Amounts
Applicants may apply for one of the following bursary categories:
- Individual training – up to $2,000
- Group knowledge exchange – up to $5,000
Payment will be made following an assessment of the application including applicant eligibility and receipt of quotes or other suitable evidence of the anticipated costs.
Eligibility
The bursary program is open to:
- South Australians who are developing, pursuing or actively engaged in soil science, soil and land management, agricultural sustainability or similar fields.
- Applicants must currently reside, work, or study in South Australia, not have applied for the SA Soils Bursary in the preceding financial year and fall within one of the following applicant types
- university students (undergraduate or postgraduate)
- recent graduates (within 3 years of graduation)
- early-career professionals (within 10 years of entering the soil and land management field)
- primary producers (actively involved in soil-related decision making or practice)
There are two bursary categories available for eligible applicants:
- Individual training - for individuals to attend soil-related events such as workshops, training sessions or conferences.
- Group knowledge exchange - for groups of at least three primary producers to undertake site visits or engage with experienced soil managers to explore how certain soil practices or technologies could be applied to their own properties.
Eligible activities must align with the National Soil Strategy objectives (outlined in the Guidelines). Activities that will be considered for funding include:
- attending conference, training, workshop, field day, informal soil focused learning activities
- groups of three or more primary producers to observe producer-based soil management in action and use of technology
- structured peer learning or discussion groups of three or more primary producers focussed on improving soil outcomes
- catering expenses directly associated with group learning activities.
How to apply
Read the guidelines ( ).
Complete the application forms: Individual or Group Knowledge and email it to PIRSA.GrantsEnquiries@sa.gov.au.
You will need to include:
- a detailed breakdown and quotes or evidence of expected costs (e.g. event registration, travel and accommodation)
- evidence of the application type
What happens next
Applications will be assessed after each closing period, in the order they are received until available funds are exhausted.
Once submitted, each application will undergo a preliminary evaluation to confirm eligibility, ensure all criteria are addressed, and determine its readiness for review by the assessment panel. Applications that meet all requirements will then be considered complete and progress to panel assessment.
Assessors will aim to notify applicants of the outcome approximately four weeks after the relevant closing period. Relevant bursary paperwork will be sent to successful applicants.
Successful applicants will be required to enter into an agreement with the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development to receive the bursary.
Contact
For enquiries about the South Australian Soils Bursary Program or bursary eligibility contact Amanda Schapel: