The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) invites qualifying South African Grade 12 learners and full-time students to apply for the DFFE Full-Time Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 02 October 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
DFFE Full-Time Bursary Programme 2027
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is offering bursaries to eligible South African students who are studying or intend studying full-time in fields aligned with the Department’s mandate.
The bursary programme supports a wide range of qualifications, including diplomas, undergraduate degrees and selected postgraduate studies.
The maximum bursary amount stated in the programme information is:
R80,000
This is the maximum bursary value and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed R80,000 award to every successful applicant.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be South African citizens and must either be currently in Grade 12 or enrolled full-time at an institution of higher learning.
Applicants must not be employed.
The bursary information indicates that consideration will be given to previously disadvantaged applicants and persons with disabilities who meet the requirements.
Fields of Study Covered
| Category | Reference Number | Examples of Supported Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Programmes | EP/01/2027 | Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Biodiversity, Biology, Marine Biology, Civil Engineering, Engineering Management, GIS, Ecological Economics |
| Forestry Management | FOR/01/2027 | Forestry, Advanced Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Forestry and Wood Sciences |
| Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring | RCSM/01/2027 | LLB, LLM, BA Law, Paralegal Studies, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Geoinformatics, Environmental Impact Assessment |
| Biodiversity and Conservation | B&C/01/2027 | Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Natural Sciences Management, Eco Tourism, Game Range Management, Nature Conservation, Zoology, Botany |
| Oceans and Coasts | OC/01/2027 | Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Engineering, Oceanography, Maritime Studies, Coastal Engineering, Climate Change, Coastal Planning, Chemistry |
| Fisheries Management | FISH/01/2027 | Fisheries Science, Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Oceanography, Engineering, GIS, Remote Sensing, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Economics |
| Climate Change and Air Quality Management | CCAQ/01/2027 | Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Natural Science, Chemistry, Geography, Sustainable Development |
| Chemicals and Waste Management | CWM/01/2027 | Chemistry, Environmental Science, Waste Management, Recycling Economy, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geography, Development Studies, Environmental Law |
Environmental Programmes – Ref: EP/01/2027
Supported studies include BSc, Honours and MSc qualifications in Environmental Management and Environmental Science.
Other eligible fields include Conservation Ecology, Biodiversity, Biology, Marine Biology, Engineering Management, Civil Engineering, Geographical Information Systems and Ecological Economics.
Forestry Management – Ref: FOR/01/2027
The Forestry Management category includes Diploma and Advanced Diploma studies in Forestry.
Other supported qualifications include Bachelor of Science studies, Honours in Natural Resource Management and BSc Forestry and Wood Sciences.
Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring – Ref: RCSM/01/2027
This category supports legal, compliance and environmental governance-related qualifications.
Fields include LLB, LLM, BA Law, Paralegal Studies, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Geography, Geoinformatics and Environmental Impact Assessment.
Biodiversity and Conservation – Ref: B&C/01/2027
Supported fields include Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Natural Sciences Management, Eco Tourism, Game Range Management, Nature Conservation, Zoology and Botany.
Oceans and Coasts – Ref: OC/01/2027
The Oceans and Coasts category covers a wide range of marine, environmental, engineering and planning disciplines.
These include Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Communication Engineering, Physical Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, Biological Oceanography, Maritime Studies, Maritime Economics, Nature Conservation, Coastal Engineering, Coastal Planning and Climate Change.
Fisheries Management – Ref: FISH/01/2027
Supported fields include Maritime Studies, Maritime Law, Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Environmental Science, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Fisheries Science and Aquatic Science.
Other eligible disciplines include Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, GIS, Remote Sensing, Environmental Informatics, Climate Change, Economics, Agricultural Economics and Fisheries Economics.
Climate Change and Air Quality Management – Ref: CCAQ/01/2027
Supported qualifications include Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Natural Science, Chemistry, Geography and Sustainable Development.
Chemicals and Waste Management – Ref: CWM/01/2027
This category supports studies related to Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Environmental Law, Environmental Education and Waste Management.
Other eligible fields include Recycling Economy, Waste as a Resource, Circular Economy, Extended Producer Responsibility, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Natural Sciences, Geography and Development Studies.
What the DFFE Bursary Covers
The programme information states that the maximum bursary value is R80,000.
Applicants should refer to the official DFFE bursary documentation for the exact funding structure and conditions applicable to successful candidates.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit a complete application together with supporting documents.
These include a motivation explaining why the bursary should be awarded, copies of qualifications and recent academic records, the applicant’s ID and the IDs of parents or guardians.
Applicants who are already studying should provide proof of registration.
Grade 12 learners should provide their latest Grade 12 results.
Applicants must also provide proof of parent or guardian income, proof where parents are deceased, or an affidavit where parents are unemployed.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Important Internship Condition
The bursary programme includes an important post-study condition.
Applicants who have previously participated in a Public Service Internship Programme are not eligible for consideration.
Upon completion of studies, successful bursary beneficiaries are required to participate in an internship programme as part of the bursary contract agreement.
Applicants should therefore read the full bursary conditions carefully before applying.
How to Apply for DFFE Bursary Programme 2027
Applicants must use the prescribed DFFE bursary application form.
Applicants must clearly indicate the correct field of study and reference number on the application form.
Faxed and emailed applications will not be accepted.
Where to Submit Applications – Pretoria
Applications may be hand-delivered or couriered to:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Environment House
473 Steve Biko Street
Corner Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Road
Arcadia
Pretoria
Where to Submit Applications – Cape Town
Applications may also be hand-delivered or couriered to:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Foretrust Building
No. 3 Hammerschlag Way
Foreshore
Cape Town
8000
Postal Applications
Postal applications should be addressed to:
Attention: Learning and Development (Bursary Section)
The Director-General
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Private Bag X447
Pretoria
0001
DFFE Bursary Enquiries
Pretoria enquiries:
Joshua Moepya: 012 399 8682
Busisiwe Stemele: 012 399 8685
Mokhobo Putu: 012 399 9018
Cape Town enquiries:
Kgomotso Moela: 081 492 5570
Neliswa Magwala: 066 081 9858
Tumeka Madolo: 071 607 2014
DFFE Call Centre: +27 86 111 2468
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
02 October 2026
Late applications will not be accepted.