Closing Date: 03 October 2025
Location: South Africa (National)
Company: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Overview
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) invites full-time South African students to apply for bursaries for the 2026 academic year. These bursaries are available in a wide range of fields related to the environment, forestry, fisheries, oceans, climate, biodiversity, waste, and compliance.
Fields of Study Covered
Environmental Programmes (Ref: EP/01/2026)
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Environmental Management/Science (BSc, Hons, MSc, PhD)
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Conservation Ecology, Biodiversity, Biology
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Marine Biology
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Civil Engineering / Engineering Management
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GIS (Geographical Information System)
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Ecological Economics
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Sustainability Learning (Postgraduate Diploma/Masters)
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Project Management (ND, Degree, Hons, MA, PhD)
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Resource Economics / Social Innovation
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Natural Resource Management
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Wildlife Management
Forestry Management (Ref: FOR/01/2026)
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Forestry / Forest Science (ND, Degree, Hons, MSc, PhD)
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Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry/Forest Science
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B Agric Hons / Rural Development Planning
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BSc Forestry
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MSc Conservation Ecology
Chemicals and Waste Management (Ref: CWM/01/2026)
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Environmental Science, Management, Health, Law, Education
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Waste Management
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Geography, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology
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Environmental Pollution, Ecotoxicology, Remediation Studies
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Exposure Science (Environmental Science focus)
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Geohydrology, Civil Engineering
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Biochemistry, Microbiology
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Data Science, Risk Management
Fisheries Management (Ref: FISH/01/2026)
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Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Aquaculture, Fisheries Science
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Zoology (freshwater fisheries)
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Maritime Studies / Maritime Law
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Aquaculture and Fisheries
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Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics (modelling)
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Electrical/Mechanical Engineering (marine related)
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International Marine and Environmental Law / Governance
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GIS and Remote Sensing / Environmental Informatics
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Climate Change and Sustainable Development
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Economics, Agricultural Economics, Fisheries Economics
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Accounting Science / Development Finance
Oceans and Coasts (Ref: OC/01/2026)
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Coastal & Marine Engineering (erosion, rehabilitation)
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Urban Design, Town & Regional Planning, Architecture, Surveying
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Climate Change, Policy, Sustainability (Masters/PhD)
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Marine Spatial Planning
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Physical Oceanography
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Marine Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Genetics, Marine Biology
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Environmental Economics / Maritime Economics
Biodiversity and Conservation (Ref: B&C/01/2026)
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Environmental Management, Science, Biological Sciences
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Natural Sciences Management, Geography, Hydrology
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Ecotourism and Game Range Management
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Nature Conservation (ND/BTech/Postgraduate)
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Zoology, Botany
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Ecological Engineering Sciences
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Environmental Law / Legislation
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Geology, Water Resource Management
Climate Change and Air Quality Management (Ref: CCAQ/01/2026)
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Environmental Science, Environmental Management
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Earth and Environmental Sciences
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Chemistry, Geography, Archaeology
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Sustainable Development
Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring (Ref: RCSM/01/2026)
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Law (LLB, LLM, BA Law, Paralegal Diploma)
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Environmental Sciences/Management
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Geography, Geoinformatics
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Environmental Impact Assessment
Bursary Requirements
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Must be a South African citizen
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Must have Grade 12 (Matric) as a minimum requirement
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Must be a full-time student or currently in Grade 12
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Preference given to previously disadvantaged students and students with disabilities
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Maximum bursary value: R50,000 per annum
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Applicants must not have participated in a public service internship programme before
Note: Successful applicants will sign a bursary contract and must complete an internship upon graduation.
Required Documents
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Motivation letter
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Certified copy of applicant and parents’/guardians’ ID
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Proof of registration or latest Grade 12 results
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Certified copies of academic records and qualifications
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Proof of income (or affidavit if unemployed)
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Proof of death (if applicable)
How to Apply
Download the bursary application form from: www.dffe.gov.za
Submission Methods:
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:
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Pretoria: Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Street, Cnr Steve Biko & Soutpansberg Road, Arcadia, Pretoria
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Cape Town: Foretrust Building, No. 3 Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000
Contact Details
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Joshua Moepya: (012) 399 8682
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Busisiwe Stemele: (012) 399 8685
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Mokhobo Putu: (012) 399 9018
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Kgomotso Moela: (021) 402 3329
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Neliswa Magwala: (021) 814 8089
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Tumeka Madolo: (021) 402 3072