Hey future environmental champions and ocean guardians! Ready to make a real difference in South Africa’s natural world? The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has an incredible bursary opportunity for the 2026 academic year that could be your ticket to a greener, bluer future. Let’s dive in!
This amazing DFFE Bursary isn’t just about getting your fees paid; it’s about investing in the future of our planet, right here in South Africa! The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is looking for passionate students like you to study towards qualifications that will help protect our precious natural resources, manage our forests, and safeguard our oceans for generations to come. If you’re passionate about conservation, sustainable development, or marine life, this could be the perfect funding opportunity for your 2026 studies.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the DFFE Bursary for 2026, you’ll need to meet these key requirements:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must currently be in Matric or have already completed Matric.
- You must be studying or planning to study full-time at a recognized and accredited South African tertiary institution.
- Your chosen field of study must align with one of the following categories:
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 (GIS)
- 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/ Management/ Health/ Law/ 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 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
Also, make sure you’re NOT:
- Currently employed.
- An employee of the DFFE.
- Someone who has previously participated in the public service internship program.
What Does It Cover?
If you’re successfully awarded the DFFE Bursary, you could receive funding up to a maximum value of R50,000. This amount aims to ease the financial burden of your studies, getting you closer to your qualification goals.
It’s important to know that after you graduate, bursary recipients are required to participate in an internship program. This is an awesome opportunity to gain practical experience and kick-start your career in the environmental sector!
How to Apply?
Ready to jump into action and apply for this incredible opportunity? Here’s what you need to do:
The application process for the DFFE Bursary 2026 is online. Simply click on the link below, and you’ll be directed to the official application portal. Make sure to read all instructions carefully, gather any required documents (like your ID, academic records, and proof of registration/acceptance), and submit your application before the closing date!
Click Here to Apply for the DFFE Bursary 2026!
If this sounds like the right bursary for you, don’t wait — apply now and explore more bursaries on Bursaries Room!