Hey future environmental champions! 🌍 Ready to make a real difference in South Africa’s natural world? The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is rolling out an awesome bursary for 2026, and it could be your ticket to a funded education in fields like conservation, marine biology, or sustainable development. Let’s dive in!
This isn’t just any bursary – it’s your chance to study vital subjects that protect our country’s incredible natural resources. The DFFE Bursary supports students who are passionate about forestry, fisheries, environmental management, and more. If you’re eager to tackle challenges like climate change, waste management, or preserving our oceans, this bursary can cover your studies and even lead to an internship after graduation!
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for this fantastic opportunity, you need to tick a few boxes:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must be currently in Matric or have already completed Matric.
- You must be studying or planning to study full-time for a qualification in one of the DFFE’s specified fields (we’ll list them below!).
- Your studies need to be at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution right here in South Africa.
- You must NOT be currently employed.
- You must NOT be an employee of the DFFE.
- You must NOT have previously participated in the public service internship program.
Heads up:
- The bursary is awarded for a maximum value of R50 000.
- Once you graduate, you’ll be required to participate in an internship program, which is an amazing way to kickstart your career!
What Does It Cover?
The DFFE Bursary supports a wide range of studies crucial for environmental sustainability. Here are the exciting fields they are looking to fund for the 2026 academic year:
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
- B Sc/ 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
FORESTRY MANAGEMENT (Ref: FOR/01/2026)
- B Sc 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
- B Sc 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 a 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
- Masters/ 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
- BSc Hons/ MSC/ PhD Marine Biodiversity & Taxonomy (systematics)
- BSc Hons /MSc/ PhD Marine Biology
- BSc Hons/ MSc Biochemistry or Genetics
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION (Ref: B&C/01/2026)
- ND/Degree Environmental Management / B Environmental Science Degree/ Biological science
- B Sc 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
How to Apply?
Ready to jump into the application process? It’s pretty straightforward! Make sure you have all your documents ready before you begin.
Click the link below to apply directly:
Apply for the DFFE Bursary 2026 Here!
Remember, applications close on 03 October 2025, so don’t delay!
If you’re ready to secure your academic future and contribute to South Africa’s environmental well-being, this DFFE Bursary is calling your name! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity. Click the link above to apply now, and remember to check out more amazing bursaries right here on Bursaries Room!
