Hey future environmental champions! Are you passionate about protecting South Africa’s amazing natural resources? Do you dream of working with our forests, oceans, or tackling climate change? Well, guess what? The **Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)** is here to help make those dreams a reality!
They’re offering fantastic bursaries for the 2026 academic year to full-time South African students. If you’re ready to dive into exciting fields like environmental science, marine biology, or sustainable development, keep reading – this could be your golden ticket!
What Does It Cover?
This DFFE bursary aims to support your studies with up to **R50,000 per annum**! It’s designed to cover a wide range of study fields that are crucial for a sustainable South Africa. Here are some of the key areas they’re looking to fund:
- **Environmental Programmes:** Environmental Management/Science, Conservation Ecology, Biodiversity, Marine Biology, Civil Engineering, GIS, Ecological Economics, Sustainability Learning, Project Management, Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Management.
- **Forestry Management:** Forestry Management and Forest Science, Rural Development Planning, Conservation Ecology.
- **Chemicals and Waste Management:** Environmental Science, Management, Health, Law, Education, Waste Management, Geography, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Environmental Pollution, Ecotoxicology, Remediation Studies, Geohydrology, Data Science, Risk Management.
- **Fisheries Management:** Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Aquaculture, Fisheries Science, Zoology, Maritime Studies/Law, Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering (marine related), International Marine and Environmental Law/Governance, GIS and Remote Sensing, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Economics, Accounting Science/Development Finance.
- **Oceans and Coasts:** Coastal & Marine Engineering, Urban Design, Town & Regional Planning, Architecture, Surveying, Climate Change, Policy, Sustainability, Marine Spatial Planning, Physical Oceanography, Marine Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Genetics, Marine Biology, Environmental Economics/Maritime Economics.
- **Biodiversity and Conservation:** Environmental Management, Science, Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences Management, Geography, Hydrology, Ecotourism and Game Range Management, Nature Conservation, Zoology, Botany, Ecological Engineering Sciences, Environmental Law/Legislation, Geology, Water Resource Management.
- **Climate Change and Air Quality Management:** Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Geography, Archaeology, Sustainable Development.
- **Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring:** Law (LLB, LLM, BA Law, Paralegal Diploma), Environmental Sciences/Management, Geography, Geoinformatics, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Who Can Apply?
Before you get too excited, let’s make sure you meet the requirements:
- You absolutely must be a **South African citizen**.
- A **Grade 12 (Matric) certificate** is the minimum requirement, or you must currently be in Grade 12.
- You need to be a **full-time student** (or planning to be one).
- Good news for some! Preference will be given to **previously disadvantaged students** and **students with disabilities**.
- The maximum bursary amount is **R50,000 per annum**.
**Important Note:** If you’ve previously participated in a public service internship programme, unfortunately, you’re not eligible for this bursary. Also, if you’re successful, you’ll need to sign a bursary contract and be prepared to complete an internship with DFFE upon graduation – how cool is that for future career prospects?
Required Documents:
Make sure you have these ready for your application:
- A clear **motivation letter** explaining why you deserve this bursary.
- **Certified copies of your ID** and your parents’/guardians’ IDs.
- **Proof of registration** (if you’re already at university) or your **latest Grade 12 results** (if you’re still in matric).
- **Certified copies of all your qualifications** and your **latest academic records**.
- **Proof of income** for your parents/guardians, or an **affidavit** if they are unemployed.
- If your parents are deceased, please provide **proof of death**.
How to Apply?
Ready to jump in? Here’s how you can apply:
First things first, you’ll need the official bursary application form. You can download it directly from the DFFE website: **www.dffe.gov.za**.
Submission Options:
Once you’ve completed your form and gathered all your documents, you can submit them via post or hand delivery/courier:
By Post:
Attention: Learning and Development (Bursary Section)
The Director-General
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001
Hand Delivery / Courier:
- **Pretoria:** Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Street, Cnr Steve Biko & Soutpansberg Road, Arcadia, Pretoria
- **Cape Town:** Foretrust Building, No. 3 Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000
Need Help? Contact Them:
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the DFFE team:
- Joshua Moepya: (012) 399 8682
- Busisiwe Stemele: (012) 399 8685
- Mokhobo Putu: (012) 399 9018
- Kgomotso Moela: (021) 402 3329
- Neliswa Magwala: (021) 814 8089
- Tumeka Madolo: (021) 402 3072
If this sounds like the perfect opportunity to make a difference and secure your academic future, don’t wait — apply now! And remember to explore more amazing bursaries right here on Bursaries Room!