STUDENTS interested in studying horticulture are being offered a helping hand with a $3000 scholarship.

A Premier Fruit Group and Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers scholarship is being offered to students looking to study Agricultural and Food Science at the Central Queensland University.

Set up in memory of former Bundaberg Farms manager Edwin Tesch, the scholarship will be granted to one student for the first time in 2013, and will continue in following years.

Bundaberg Fruit & Growers executive officer Peter Hockings said the scholarship will help attract people to work in the industry.

The scholarship will "encourage rising star students to pursue a career in an industry which has many exciting career opportunities,'' Mr Hockings said.

Applications for the course scholarship close on January 4, 2013 and can be made through CQU.