DFFE: Bursary 2026

ByRainbow Time

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is inviting full-time students to apply for bursaries, to be awarded in the 2026 academic year, in the following fields of study:

This bursary opportunity aims to support dedicated students pursuing careers in environmental and natural resource fields. The funding will assist with tuition fees, study materials, and living expenses to promote academic success. Priority will be given to candidates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities. Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to their chosen field of study and a desire to contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability. The bursary also includes a mandatory internship component upon completion of studies. Successful recipients will sign a contract outlining bursary conditions and obligations.

Full-time Bursaries: 2026

FIELDS OF STUDY AND REFERENCE NUMBERS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES (Ref: EP/01/2026)

  • BSc Degree/ Hons/ MSc/ PhD in Environmental Management/Science
  • BSc Conservation Ecology/Biodiversity/Biology
  • BSc Marine Biology
  • B Degree/Hons/ MSc Engineering Management / Civil Engineering
  • BSc/ Hons Geographical Information System
  • MSc Ecological Economics
  • Postgraduate Diploma/ Masters in Sustainability Learning
  • ND/Degree/Hons/MA/PhD Project Management
  • ND/Degree/Hons Resource Economics/Social Innovation
  • BSc Hon Natural Resource Management
  • ND/Degree/Hons/MSc/PhD in Forest Science / Forestry
  • ND/Degree/Hons/MSc/PhD in Forest Management
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Forestry / Forest Science
  • B Agric Hons
  • B Agric Hons in Rural Development Planning
  • B.Sc Forestry
  • BSc Hons in Wildlife Management
  • MSc in Conservation Ecology

CHEMICALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT (Ref: CWM/01/2026)

  • ND/ B Tech/ M Tech/ D Tech (Environmental Science/ Environmental Management/ Environmental Health/ Environmental law/ Environmental education)
  • ND/ B Tech/ M Tech/ D Tech Waste Management
  • BA Degree/Hons/MA Geography
  • MSc in Environmental Pollution / Ecotoxicology/ Remediation studies
  • ND/BA Degree/Hons/MA Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry and Biotechnology
  • MSc in Exposure Science (specialising in environmental science)
  • ND/Degree/Hons/MA Civil Engineering
  • ND/Degree/BSc Hons/Masters in Geohydrology
  • MSc/MTech Biochemistry / Microbiology
  • BCom/ Postgraduate Diploma/ Data science
  • ND/ B Degree Risk Management

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT (Ref: FISH/01/2026)

  • Maritime Studies (related to harbour/ports – fishing harbours) /Maritime law
  • MSc Aquaculture
  • BSc/Hons/MSc/PhD Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Environmental Science, Aquaculture and Fisheries
  • BSc Marine / Fisheries Biology Hons/MSc/PhD
  • Zoology (freshwater ecology or specialising in the field of freshwater fisheries)
  • Bachelor’s degree, Post graduate studies, B Tech, BSc Hons, MSc, PhD (Marine biology, Aquaculture, Environmental Science/management, Fisheries Science, Aquatic Science, or related field)
  • Actuarial Science
  • MSc Applied Mathematics/ Statistics with population dynamics modelling
  • BTech, Beng Tech or BSc Eng in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering
  • Master’s in international marine and environmental law/ policy/ governance/ Multilateral negotiations
  • BSc/MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing / Environmental Informatics
  • Postgraduate Diploma/ MSc in Climate Change and Sustainable Development
  • Post graduate Diploma in Accounting Science/MPhil Development Finance
  • Hons/Masters Economics, Agriculture Economics, Fisheries Economics

OCEANS AND COASTS (Ref: OC/01/2026)

  • BSc in Coastal and marine engineering – coastal erosion, rehabilitation and restoration
  • Master’s/ PhD degree in town and regional planning, Architecture, Urban Design and surveying
  • Masters/ PhD degree in climate change, adaptation, mitigation, policy and sustainability
  • Advanced diploma/ B Tech mechanical/ B Tech/BSc/ MTech/ Meng Engineering
  • BSc Hons / MSc / PhD Physical Oceanography
  • BSc Hons / MSc/ PhD in Marine Spatial Planning
  • B Degree/ Hons/ master’s in economics / environmental economics / Maritime Economics

BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION (Ref: B&C/01/2026)

  • BSc Hons/ MSc/ PhD Marine Biodiversity & Taxonomy (systematics)
  • BSc Hons/ MSc Marine Biology
  • BSc Hons/ MSc Biochemistry or Genetics
  • ND/Degree Environmental Management / B Environmental Science Degree/ Biological science
  • BSc Natural Sciences
  • Management, Geography and Hydrology
  • ND/ Degree Eco tourism and game range management
  • ND/ BA Degree Environmental economics
  • ND / BTech / Post Graduate Diploma, Nature Conservation
  • B Degree in Ecological Engineering Sciences
  • B Degree in Resource Economics
  • N Dip/BTech Nature conservation
  • BSc Zoology and Botany
  • Environmental legislation/ Law – BSc Environmental Management/ legislation/ Law
  • Geology – BSc Geology
  • ND/ BSC Environmental Resource Management, Hydrology and Water Resources Management

CLIMATE AND CHANGE AND AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT (Ref: CCAQ/01/2026)

  • ND /B Sc Environmental Science
  • ND/B Sc Environmental Management
  • B Degree Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • B Degree Natural Science
  • B Sc Chemistry
  • B Sc Geography / Archaeology and Environmental
  • ND/ B Degree in Sustainable Development

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE SECTOR MONITORING (Ref: RCSM/01/2026)

  • LLB (Major courses: administrative law, legislative drafting, Environmental Law)
  • LLM
  • B.A Law, A Diploma, or a Degree in Paralegal
  • Bachelor of Environmental Sciences/Management
  • BSC majoring in Geography, Geoinformatics
  • Bachelor of Environmental Management majoring in Environmental Impact Assessment
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
  • Grade 12 (Matric) is the minimum requirement to apply.
  • Consideration will be given to previously disadvantaged individuals and people with disabilities who are South African citizens.
  • Bursaries apply only to full-time students enrolled at an institution of higher learning or currently doing Grade 12 (Matric) and not employed.
  • Maximum bursary amount is R50,000.00.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
  • Please indicate clearly on application the reference number and study field.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Correspondence will be limited to successful applicants only.
  • If not contacted by end of January 2026, accept that application was unsuccessful.
  • Successful applicants must sign a bursary contract.
  • No faxed or emailed applications will be accepted.
  • The prescribed bursary application form is obtainable from the Department’s website (www.dffe.gov.za).
  • Students who have previously participated in the public service internship program are ineligible.
  • Upon completion of studies, participation in an internship program is mandatory as part of the bursary contract agreement.
  • Participation in the internship program more than once is prohibited.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS TO ACCOMPANY THE FORM:
  • Motivation letter as to why the bursary should be awarded.
  • Copies of qualifications and recent academic records.
  • Copies of applicant and both parents’/guardian’s Identity Documents.
  • Proof of registration (if enrolled).
  • Latest Grade 12 results (if currently in High School).
  • Proof of parents/guardian’s income.
  • Proof if parents are deceased.
  • Affidavit if parents are not working.
CONTACT DETAILS:

Pretoria:

  • Joshua Moepya: (012) 399 8682
  • Busisiwe Stemele: (012) 399-8685
  • Mokhobo Putu: (012) 399 9018

Cape Town:

  • Kgomotso Moela: (021) 402 3329
  • Neliswa Magwala: (021) 814 8089
  • Tumeka Madolo: (021) 402 307

HOW TO APPLY

HAND DELIVERIES OR COURIER:

Pretoria:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Environment House | 473 Steve Biko Street | Cnr Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Road | Arcadia, PRETORIA

Cape Town:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Foretrust Building | No 3 Hammerschlag Way | Foreshore | Cape Town | 8000

POSTAL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATIONS:

Attention: Learning and Development (Bursary Section)
The Director-General, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment,
Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 000

DOWNLOAD THE ADVERT: FULL-TIME BURSARY 2026

FOR MORE DETAILS: FULL-TIME BURSARY 2026

CLOSING DATE: 03 October 2025