South African National Parks invites qualifying South African youth from communities neighbouring national parks to apply for the SANParks External Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Study Location: Accredited public universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges in South Africa
SANParks External Bursary Programme 2027
South African National Parks, commonly known as SANParks, has opened applications for its External Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
The bursary is primarily intended to support young people who live in communities neighbouring or adjacent to South Africa’s national parks.
Successful applicants will receive comprehensive financial support to study towards approved diplomas, degrees, technical qualifications and artisan programmes at accredited public South African institutions.
Academic performance will form part of the selection process. SANParks will also consider the need to increase participation by women, people living with disabilities and other designated groups.
Bursary Programme Overview
Bursary provider: South African National Parks
Abbreviation: SANParks
Programme: External Bursary Programme 2027
Funding type: Comprehensive bursary
Study levels: Undergraduate degree, diploma, TVET and artisan qualifications
Age requirement: 18 to 35 years
Income threshold: Household or applicant income must not exceed R350 000 per year
Target group: Youth from communities neighbouring national parks
Closing date: 21 August 2026
Application method: Email
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Reside in a community neighbouring or adjacent to a national park.
- Intend to study full-time in 2027.
- Apply to or be admitted by an accredited public South African institution.
- Study towards an approved diploma, degree, TVET or artisan qualification.
- Have an annual household or applicant income not exceeding R350 000.
- Submit all required supporting documents.
- Meet the academic requirements of the selected institution and programme.
The bursary is particularly aimed at learners entering post-Matric studies in 2027.
The advertisement also states that students who are already registered at an institution may be considered, provided they have passed all subjects for which they were registered during the completed study period.
Communities Neighbouring National Parks
Applicants must come from communities living adjacent to national parks, as defined in the relevant SANParks park-management plans.
Applicants should use their proof of residential address to demonstrate that they live in an eligible community.
SANParks may verify the applicant’s address against the management plan and community boundaries of the relevant national park.
Environmental Science Qualifications
Eligible environmental and conservation-related fields include:
- Nature Conservation
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Green Energy
- Environmental Engineering
- Sustainable Development
- Game Ranch Management
- Biodiversity-related studies
- Related environmental qualifications
Tourism and Hospitality Qualifications
SANParks may fund studies in:
- Hospitality Management
- Tourism Management
- Resort Management
- Tour Guiding
- Events Management
- Conference Management
- Related tourism and hospitality programmes
Social Science Qualifications
Eligible social and development-related qualifications may include:
- Community Development
- Economic Development
- Socio-Economic Development
- Development Studies
- Community-based planning
- Related social science qualifications
Infrastructure and Built Environment Qualifications
Students pursuing the following qualifications may apply:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Construction Management
- Quantity Surveying
- Architecture
- Project Management
- Related built-environment qualifications
Technical and Artisan Trades
SANParks also welcomes applications from students pursuing technical and artisan qualifications, including:
- Electrical work
- Plumbing
- Welding
- Millwright studies
- Mechanical trades
- Technician qualifications
- Solar technology
- Refrigeration technology
- Water and wastewater technology
- Related artisan and technical programmes
These qualifications may be offered through accredited public TVET colleges and other approved institutions.
Emerging and Scarce Skills
The bursary may also support emerging and scarce-skills programmes such as:
- Geographic Information Systems
- Data Analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Renewable Energy
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Biodiversity Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Related technical and digital skills
The listed fields are not necessarily exhaustive. SANParks may consider related qualifications that support conservation, tourism, infrastructure, community development and organisational needs.
Academic Requirements
Academic merit will be considered during the selection process.
Applicants entering their first year should submit their latest available academic results.
Students who are already registered at a university, university of technology or TVET college must have achieved a 100% pass rate for the completed study period. This means they must have passed every course or subject for which they were registered.
Applicants should ensure that their academic records are complete, official and easy to read.
Income Requirement
Applicants whose annual household or personal income exceeds:
R350 000 per year
will not qualify for the bursary.
Applicants receiving a social grant should attach an affidavit confirming that the household income falls below the required threshold.
SANParks may request additional financial information during the assessment process.
Institutions Covered
Applications must be for full-time studies at an accredited public South African institution, including:
- Public universities.
- Universities of technology.
- Public TVET colleges.
- Other accredited public higher-education institutions recognised by SANParks.
Applicants planning to study part-time may not be considered.
What the SANParks Bursary Covers
The advertisement describes the funding as a comprehensive bursary.
Comprehensive funding generally supports approved study-related expenses according to the bursary agreement issued to successful applicants.
The precise funding components and limits will be confirmed by SANParks to successful recipients.
Applicants should not assume that unapproved expenses will automatically be reimbursed.
Documents Required
Applications must include:
- A motivation letter.
- A comprehensive and updated CV.
- A certified copy of the South African identity document.
- A certified copy of the latest academic record.
- An acceptance or admission letter from an accredited public institution.
- Proof of residential address.
- An affidavit confirming income below the threshold, where the applicant receives a social grant.
- Any additional documents requested by SANParks.
Failure to attach the required documents will result in the application being regarded as incomplete.
Motivation Letter Requirements
The motivation letter should explain:
- Why the applicant needs the bursary.
- The chosen field of study.
- Why the applicant selected the qualification.
- How the qualification relates to SANParks or community development.
- The applicant’s academic and career goals.
- How the bursary will help the applicant complete their studies.
- The national park or neighbouring community where the applicant resides.
The letter should be clearly written, signed and included with the application.
Proof of Admission
Applicants must submit proof that they have applied to or been admitted by an accredited institution.
An official acceptance letter is preferred where available.
The document should clearly show:
- The applicant’s name.
- The institution’s name.
- The qualification.
- The intended year of study.
- The institution’s official details.
Proof of Residence
Proof of residence is important because the bursary is intended for communities neighbouring or adjacent to national parks.
Applicants may submit an acceptable document showing their residential address, subject to SANParks’ requirements.
The address on the proof of residence should correspond with the details provided in the application, CV and identity documents.
How to Apply for SANParks External Bursaries 2027
Applications must be emailed with all required supporting documents.
Click here to apply for the SANParks External Bursary Programme 2027
Submit applications to:
Email: happy.nhlangwini@sanparks.org
Applicants should use a clear email subject such as:
SANParks External Bursary Programme 2027 Application – Full Name
All documents should be clearly named and attached before the email is sent.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications close on 21 August 2026.
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Applicants should send their applications early to allow time to correct missing or unreadable documents.
Bursary Enquiries
For enquiries, contact:
Email: happy.nhlangwini@sanparks.org
Telephone: 012 426 5173
Applicants should include their full name, intended qualification and the national park community where they reside when sending an enquiry.
Important Date Correction
The advertisement includes a statement advising applicants to consider their applications unsuccessful if they have not been contacted by 30 January 2025.
That date appears to be an error because the bursary is for the 2027 academic year and applications close on 21 August 2026. Applicants should rely on official communication from SANParks regarding the correct outcome-notification date.
Important Application Advice
Before sending the application, confirm that:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You are between 18 and 35 years old.
- You live in a community neighbouring a national park.
- Your annual income is below R350 000.
- You intend to study full-time in 2027.
- Your institution is accredited and public.
- Your qualification falls within an eligible field.
- Your motivation letter is attached.
- Your CV is updated.
- Your identity document and academic record are certified.
- Your acceptance letter and proof of residence are attached.
- Your application is emailed by 21 August 2026.
About South African National Parks
South African National Parks is responsible for managing South Africa’s national parks and protecting the country’s biodiversity, landscapes and associated heritage resources.
SANParks also works with neighbouring communities to promote conservation participation, education, socioeconomic development and benefit-sharing.
Its external bursary programme supports young people whose qualifications may contribute to conservation, tourism, infrastructure, community development, technology and the sustainable management of protected areas.