The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) invites full-time South African students to apply for bursaries for the 2026 academic year. These bursaries are available in a wide range of study fields related to the environment, forestry, fisheries, oceans, climate, biodiversity, waste, and compliance.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 03 October 2025
Bursary Location: South Africa (National)
Fields of Study Covered
The DFFE bursaries will be awarded in the following study areas:
Environmental Programmes (Ref: EP/01/2026)
- Environmental Management/Science (BSc, Hons, MSc, PhD)
- Conservation Ecology, Biodiversity, Biology
- Marine Biology
- Civil Engineering / Engineering Management
- GIS (Geographical Information System)
- Ecological Economics
- Sustainability Learning (Postgraduate Diploma/Masters)
- Project Management (ND, Degree, Hons, MA, PhD)
- Resource Economics / Social Innovation
- Natural Resource Management
- Wildlife Management
- Forestry / Forest Science (ND, Degree, Hons, MSc, PhD)
Forestry Management (Ref: FOR/01/2026)
- Forestry Management and Forest Science (ND, Degree, Hons, MSc, PhD)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry/Forest Science
- B Agric Hons / Rural Development Planning
- BSc Forestry
- MSc Conservation Ecology
Chemicals and Waste Management (Ref: CWM/01/2026)
- Environmental Science, Management, Health, Law, Education (ND – DTech)
- Waste Management
- Geography, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology
- Environmental Pollution, Ecotoxicology, Remediation Studies
- Exposure Science (Environmental Science focus)
- Geohydrology, Civil Engineering
- Biochemistry, Microbiology
- Data Science, Risk Management
Fisheries Management (Ref: FISH/01/2026)
- Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Aquaculture, Fisheries Science
- Zoology (freshwater fisheries)
- Maritime Studies / Maritime Law
- Aquaculture and Fisheries
- Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics (modelling)
- Electrical/Mechanical Engineering (marine related)
- International Marine and Environmental Law / Governance
- GIS and Remote Sensing / Environmental Informatics
- Climate Change and Sustainable Development
- Economics, Agricultural Economics, Fisheries Economics
- Accounting Science / Development Finance
Oceans and Coasts (Ref: OC/01/2026)
- Coastal & Marine Engineering (erosion, rehabilitation)
- Urban Design, Town & Regional Planning, Architecture, Surveying
- Climate Change, Policy, Sustainability (Masters/PhD)
- Marine Spatial Planning
- Physical Oceanography
- Marine Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Genetics, Marine Biology
- Environmental Economics / Maritime Economics
Biodiversity and Conservation (Ref: B&C/01/2026)
- Environmental Management, Science, Biological Sciences
- Natural Sciences Management, Geography, Hydrology
- Ecotourism and Game Range Management
- Nature Conservation (ND/BTech/Postgraduate)
- Zoology, Botany
- Ecological Engineering Sciences
- Environmental Law / Legislation
- Geology, Water Resource Management
Climate Change and Air Quality Management (Ref: CCAQ/01/2026)
- Environmental Science, Environmental Management
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Chemistry, Geography, Archaeology
- Sustainable Development
Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring (Ref: RCSM/01/2026)
- Law (LLB, LLM, BA Law, Paralegal Diploma)
- Environmental Sciences/Management
- Geography, Geoinformatics
- Environmental Impact Assessment
Bursary Requirements
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must have Grade 12 (Matric) as a minimum requirement
- Must be a full-time student or currently doing Grade 12
- Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged students and students with disabilities
- Maximum bursary amount: R50,000 per annum
Note: Students who have previously participated in the public service internship programme are not eligible. Successful applicants will sign a bursary contract and will be required to complete an internship programme upon graduation.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Motivation letter
- Certified copies of ID (applicant and parents/guardians)
- Proof of registration (if already enrolled) or latest Grade 12 results (if in matric)
- Certified copies of qualifications and latest academic records
- Proof of income of parents/guardians OR affidavit if unemployed
- Proof of death (if parents are deceased)
How to Apply
The prescribed bursary application form can be downloaded from: www.dffe.gov.za.
Submission Options:
By Post:
Attention: Learning and Development (Bursary Section)
The Director-General
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001
Hand Delivery / Courier:
- Pretoria: Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Street, Cnr Steve Biko & Soutpansberg Road, Arcadia, Pretoria
- Cape Town: Foretrust Building, No. 3 Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000
Contact Details
- Joshua Moepya: (012) 399 8682
- Busisiwe Stemele: (012) 399 8685
- Mokhobo Putu: (012) 399 9018
- Kgomotso Moela: (021) 402 3329
- Neliswa Magwala: (021) 814 8089
- Tumeka Madolo: (021) 402 3072