The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) invites applications for its comprehensive 2026 bursary programme. This opportunity provides financial support of up to R50,000 per annum for South African citizens pursuing full-time studies in critical environmental sectors. The bursary covers eight key fields: Environmental Programmes, Forestry Management, Chemicals and Waste Management, Fisheries Management, Oceans and Coasts, Biodiversity and Conservation, Climate Change and Air Quality Management, and Regulatory Compliance. Applicants must be in Grade 12 or already registered as full-time students. Preference is given to previously disadvantaged individuals and students with disabilities. Successful candidates are bound by a contract requiring completion of an internship with the department after graduation. The application deadline is 03 October 2025.
Closing Date: 03 October 2025
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-GeneralDepartment of Forestry, Fisheries and the EnvironmentPrivate 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
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