Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary Programme 2027
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has opened its Full-Time Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year, and for young South Africans wanting to study toward a career in conservation, environmental management, fisheries, or related sciences without the financial strain of tuition, this government-funded route is well worth serious consideration.
- Closing Date: 2 October 2026
- Location: Applicable to full-time students at recognised South African institutions of higher learning nationwide, or Grade 12 (Matric) learners planning to study further; the bursary is administered from the DFFE’s Pretoria head office
- Bursary Amount: Maximum of R80,000.00
DFFE Bursary Overview
The DFFE Bursary Programme exists to build the next generation of skilled professionals in South Africa’s environmental, forestry, and fisheries sectors. It’s open to two distinct groups of applicants: full-time students already registered at a recognised institution of higher learning, and Grade 12 (Matric) learners who are not currently employed and are planning to study further. Bursaries are strictly reserved for these two categories, meaning working professionals or part-time students generally won’t qualify.
Because the DFFE runs this programme year after year with clearly defined fields of study tied to reference numbers, it’s a genuinely structured and predictable funding opportunity, rather than a vague or informal offering.
Fields of Study Typically Covered
While applicants should always confirm the exact list against the current advert, the DFFE’s bursary programme has consistently funded studies across categories including:
- Biodiversity and Conservation (covering qualifications such as Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Biological Science, and Natural Sciences Management)
- Chemicals and Waste Management
- Climate Change, Air Quality and Sustainable Development
- Environmental Programmes
- Fisheries and Marine Sciences (covering Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Science)
- Forestry Science, Wood Technology, and Nature Conservation
- Spatial Planning, GIS and Remote Sensing, and Environmental Informatics
- Environmental Law, Environmental Education, and Environmental Health
- Environmental Economics, Fisheries Economics, and Development Finance
This breadth means the bursary genuinely accommodates students across a wide range of science, law, and economics-related disciplines, provided the specific qualification ties back to the environment, forestry, or fisheries mandate.
Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a full-time student enrolled at a recognised institution of higher learning, or an individual currently in Grade 12 (Matric)
- Not be employed
- Never have previously participated in the Public Service Internship Programme
- Understand that, upon completion of studies, participation in the DFFE’s internship programme becomes mandatory as part of the bursary contract agreement
- Accept that regulations prohibit participating in the internship programme more than once
- Apply using the prescribed bursary application form only, with the correct reference number and study field clearly indicated
Applications submitted by fax or email will not be accepted, and incomplete applications will not be considered, so it’s worth taking real care over the paperwork before submitting.
Required Supporting Documents
Every application must be accompanied by the following, all properly certified where applicable:
- A motivation letter explaining why the bursary should be awarded to you
- Certified copies of qualifications and recent academic records
- Certified copies of identity documents, for both the applicant and both parents or guardians
- Proof of registration, if already enrolled at an institution of higher learning
- Latest Grade 12 results, if currently in high school
- Proof of parents’ or guardian’s income
- A death certificate, if a parent is deceased
- An affidavit, if a parent is not working
Skills and Attributes That Strengthen an Application
While the DFFE’s criteria are largely document-based, applicants who present themselves strongly for this bursary generally show:
- A clear, genuine motivation tied to environmental, forestry, or fisheries-related career goals, rather than a generic funding request
- Strong academic performance, particularly in Mathematics and Science subjects relevant to the chosen field
- Careful attention to detail when completing the prescribed application form and gathering supporting documents
- A well-considered choice of study field, correctly matched to the relevant reference number on the application form
- Genuine understanding of how the chosen qualification connects to South Africa’s broader environmental and conservation challenges
Why This Bursary Is Worth Pursuing
For South African students facing genuine financial barriers to studying environmental science, forestry, marine biology, or related fields, this bursary solves a real and pressing problem. Beyond covering study costs up to R80,000, the programme builds a direct pathway into the public service, since bursary recipients are required to complete an internship with the department after graduating, giving them real workplace experience in a sector that remains critical to South Africa’s future. For a country continuing to grapple with environmental and climate challenges, qualifications funded through this programme lead into genuinely meaningful, in-demand careers.
About the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is a department of the South African government, formed in 2019 through the merger of the former Department of Environmental Affairs with the forestry and fisheries functions previously housed under the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Originally known as the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), the department adopted its current name in April 2021.
The DFFE carries the core responsibility for the protection, improvement, and conservation of South Africa’s environment and natural resources, spanning everything from biodiversity conservation and climate change response to fisheries management, forestry oversight, and chemicals and waste regulation. As an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, the department has stated its intention to promote representativity across race, gender, and disability, actively encouraging persons living with disabilities to apply for its opportunities.
Through initiatives like this Full-Time Bursary Programme, the DFFE continues to invest directly in developing South Africa’s next generation of environmental, forestry, and fisheries professionals, pairing financial support for study with a guaranteed pathway into practical public service experience once qualified. For students genuinely passionate about protecting South Africa’s environment and natural resources, this bursary offers a credible, structured route into a meaningful long-term career.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted on the prescribed DFFE bursary application form, with the correct reference number and study field clearly indicated. Gather every required supporting document before submitting, since a single missing item can lead to automatic disqualification. Applications can be posted to: Attention: Learning and Development (Bursary Section), The Director-General, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001. Correspondence is limited to shortlisted and successful candidates only, so if you haven’t been contacted within a reasonable period after the closing date, you should consider your application unsuccessful.
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