DFFE Bursary Programme 2026

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has officially opened applications for its 2026 bursary programme.

This initiative offers South African students the opportunity to pursue studies in a range of environmental and natural resource fields, with the closing date set for 3 October 2025.

Bursary Programme Fields of Study

The bursary programme will be awarded in the following categories, each with its own reference number:

Environmental Programmes (Ref: EP/01/2026)

• BSc Environmental Management/Science
• BSc Conservation Ecology, Biodiversity or Biology
• BSc Marine Biology
• Engineering Management, Civil Engineering
• GIS and Geographical Information Systems
• Economics (Ecological, Resource, or Social Innovation)
• Project Management, Sustainability Learning

Forestry Management (Ref: FOR/01/2026)

• Forest Science, Forestry, or Forest Management
• Rural Development Planning
• Wildlife Management
• Conservation Ecology

Chemicals and Waste Management (Ref: CWM/01/2026)

• Environmental Science, Environmental Management, or Waste Management
• Environmental Health, Law, or Education
• Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology
• Geohydrology, Remediation Studies, Exposure Science

Fisheries Management (Ref: FISH/01/2026)

• Marine Biology, Oceanography, Aquaculture, Fisheries Science
• Zoology specialising in freshwater fisheries
• Maritime Studies or Maritime Law
• Environmental Science/Management
• Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics
• Climate Change, Environmental Informatics, International Marine Law

Oceans and Coasts (Ref: OC/01/2026)

• Coastal and Marine Engineering
• Urban and Regional Planning, Architecture, or Surveying
• Climate Change Adaptation, Policy and Sustainability
• Physical Oceanography, Marine Spatial Planning, Marine Biodiversity
• Biochemistry or Genetics

Biodiversity and Conservation (Ref: B&C/01/2026)

• Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences
• Geography, Hydrology, Tourism and Range Management
• Resource Economics, Nature Conservation, Zoology and Botany
• Environmental Law, Geology, Environmental Resource Management

Climate Change and Air Quality Management (Ref: CCAQ/01/2026)

• Environmental Science or Environmental Management
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Chemistry, Archaeology, Sustainable Development

Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring (Ref: RCSM/01/2026)

• Law (LLB, LLM, BA Law, Paralegal)
• Environmental Management, Environmental Impact Assessment
• Geography or Geoinformatics

Check also: Allan Gray Orbis Foundation High School Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Be a South African citizen.
• Be in Matric or have completed Matric.
• Be studying or intending to study full-time in one of the listed fields.
• Be registered or planning to register at a recognised South African tertiary institution.
• Must not be employed or an employee of the DFFE.
• Must not have participated in a public service internship programme.

Note: The bursary covers up to R50 000. After graduation, recipients will be required to take part in the DFFE internship programme.

Required Documents

Applicants need to submit certified copies of the following:

• ID document.
• Matric certificate or latest results.
• Qualifications or academic transcripts (if applicable).
• Proof of registration (if already enrolled).
• Parents’ or guardians’ IDs and proof of income (payslips, affidavits, SASSA grant, pension, or death certificates).
• Motivational letter explaining why the bursary should be awarded.

How to Apply

Applicants must download and complete the Download Bursary Application Form 2026.

Be sure to indicate the relevant reference number and field of study.

Submission Methods

• Courier/Hand Delivery – Pretoria:
  Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
  Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Street, Corner Steve Biko & Soutpansberg Road, Arcadia, Pretoria
• Courier/Hand Delivery – Cape Town:
  Foretrust Building, 3 Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000
• Postal Submission:
  The Director General
  Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
  Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001
  Attention: Learning and Development (Bursary Section)

Applications sent via fax or email will not be accepted.

• For more details and to access the official bursary application form, visit the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment website.

The DFFE bursary programme for 2026 provides financial support to students who want to pursue careers in environmental and natural resource fields. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply before the closing date of 3 October 2025 to secure this opportunity.