Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary Opportunities 2026

The Bursary Programme is advertised through national newspapers, this website and DFFE social media platforms once a new call for applications has been initiated.

DFFE is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. It is our intention to promote representativity (race, gender and disability). Persons living with disability are encouraged to apply. Eligible candidates must be fulltime students enrolled with institution of higher learning or individuals in grade 12 (matric), not employed.

STATUS

Invitation for bursaries applications for 2025 academic year have closed. No late applications will be accepted. Therefore the information provided below is for advisory purposes only, for interested and affected parties to familiarise with the criteria applied by the DFFE in this programme.

BURSARY AMOUNT

The maximum amount of the bursary is R50,000.00

PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW WHEN APPLYING

All applications should be accompanied by the following documents:

motivation as to why the bursary should be awarded to you;
certified copies of qualifications and recent academic records;
certified copies of identity document (applicant and both parents or guardian);
proof of registration (if already enrolled with the institution of higher learning);
latest grade 12 results (if currently in high school);
proof of parents or guardian’s income;
proof if parents are deceased;
affidavit if parents are not working.

Eligibility criteria important to note:

The call for applications only applies to fulltime students enrolled with the institution of higher learning or to individuals in their grade 12 (matric) and not employed;
students who have previously participated in the public service internship program are ineligible for consideration;
please indicate clearly on the application form the reference number and the study field;
incomplete applications will not be considered;
application must be submitted on a prescribed bursary application form;
no faxed or emailed applications will be accepted.

Note:

Correspondence is only limited to shortlisted and successful candidates. If you have not been contacted by end of January 2025, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
Successful applicants will be expected to sign a bursary contract

ENQUIRIES

Pretoria			Cape Town
Mr Joshua Moepya Tel: 012 399 8682	Ms Busisiwe Stemele Tel: 012 399 8685	Ms Mokhobo Putu Tel: 012 399 9018	Mr Kgomotso Moela Tel: 021 402 3329	Ms Neliswa Magwala Tel: 021 814 8089	Ms Tumeka Madolo Tel: 021 402 3072

DFFE Bursary – Fields of Study Usually Supported

The DFFE typically funds undergraduate and postgraduate students in the following scarce and critical fields:

🔬 Environmental & Natural Sciences

Environmental Science
Environmental Management
Ecology
Nature Conservation
Biodiversity and Conservation
Environmental and Water Science
Marine Biology
Oceanography
Zoology
Botany

🌍 Climate & Earth Sciences

Climate Change and Sustainability Studies
Atmospheric Science
Geology
Earth Science
Hydrology
Geoinformatics
Meteorology

🌊 Marine & Coastal Studies

Marine Conservation
Marine Biology and Oceanography
Fisheries Science
Aquaculture
Ocean and Coastal Management
Maritime Studies

🌳 Forestry & Agriculture

Forestry
Agroforestry
Wood Science and Technology
Soil Science
Environmental Agriculture

🧪 Chemistry & Toxicology

Analytical Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Toxicology

📈 Policy, Law & Compliance

Environmental Law
Environmental Economics
Environmental Policy and Planning
Environmental Auditing and Impact Assessment

🖥️ Technical & Support Fields

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Data Science (with environmental application)
Information Technology (IT for Environmental Monitoring)
Statistics (for environmental research)
Engineering (e.g., Environmental, Chemical, Water)

📚 Study Levels Supported

Undergraduate Degrees (BSc, National Diplomas)
Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral Degrees (for priority research areas)

📌 Note:

DFFE bursaries are awarded based on financial need, academic performance, and alignment with national priority skills. Preference is often given to Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDIs) and students from rural or underdeveloped areas.