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Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary 2027

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) Bursary supports full-time students and Grade 12 learners pursuing studies aligned with the Department’s environmental, forestry, fisheries and natural resource management responsibilities.

The bursary is available for the 2027 academic year, with applications currently open. The latest DFFE bursary programme offers funding of up to R80,000 per student per year.

2027 STATUS: Applications are open and close on 2 October 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

WHAT IS THE DFFE BURSARY?

The DFFE Bursary is a government-funded bursary programme offered by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to support students and Grade 12 learners studying towards qualifications that are relevant to the Department’s mandate.

The programme focuses on fields linked to areas such as environmental management, biodiversity conservation, forestry, fisheries, oceans and coastal management, climate change, waste management, environmental law and natural resource management.

For the 2027 intake, DFFE is inviting applications from full-time students at institutions of higher learning as well as Grade 12 learners who are not employed.

Successful applicants are required to enter into a bursary agreement with the Department. Participation in an internship programme after completing the qualification forms part of the bursary conditions.

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE DFFE BURSARY COVER?

The DFFE Bursary covers a wide range of qualifications related to the Department’s mandate. The main areas include:

  • BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
    • Environmental Management
    • Environmental Science
    • Natural Sciences Management
    • Ecotourism and Game Range Management
    • Nature Conservation
    • Zoology
    • Botany
    • Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
  • CHEMICALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Chemistry
    • Environmental Science
    • Environmental Management
    • Environmental Law
    • Waste Management
    • Recycling Economy
    • Circular Economy
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Civil Engineering
    • Geography and Development Studies
  • CLIMATE CHANGE AND AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
    • Environmental Science
    • Environmental Management
    • Earth and Environmental Sciences
    • Natural Science
    • Chemistry
    • Geography
    • Archaeology and Environmental Studies
    • Sustainable Development
  • ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES
    • Environmental Management
    • Environmental Science
    • Conservation Ecology
    • Biodiversity
    • Biology
    • Marine Biology
    • Civil Engineering
    • Engineering Management
    • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
    • Ecological Economics
  • FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
    • Maritime Studies
    • Maritime Law
    • Oceanography
    • Marine Biology
    • Ichthyology
    • Aquaculture
    • Fisheries Science
    • Zoology and Freshwater Ecology
    • Fisheries Biology
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • GIS and Remote Sensing
    • Environmental Informatics
    • Climate Change and Sustainable Development
    • Economics
    • Agricultural Economics
    • Fisheries Economics
    • Actuarial Science
    • Applied Mathematics
    • Statistics
  • FORESTRY MANAGEMENT
    • Forestry
    • Forestry and Wood Sciences
    • Bachelor of Science
    • Natural Resource Management
  • OCEANS AND COASTS
    • Biodiversity
    • Conservation Biology
    • Marine Biology
    • Environmental Science
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Electronic Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Communication Engineering
    • Physical Oceanography
    • Chemical Oceanography
    • Biological Oceanography
    • Natural Resource Economics
    • Environmental Economics
    • Maritime Studies
    • Marine Ecology
    • Environmental Management
    • Nature Conservation
    • Coastal Engineering
    • Marine and Coastal Policy
    • Coastal and Marine Climate Change
    • Coastal Spatial Planning
    • Town and Regional Planning
    • Chemistry
  • REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND SECTOR MONITORING
    • LLB, including Environmental Law, Administrative Law and Legislative Drafting
    • LLM
    • BA Law
    • Paralegal qualifications
    • Environmental Sciences
    • Environmental Management
    • Geography
    • Geoinformatics
    • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and related environmental management studies

If your qualification falls within one of these areas, check the specific DFFE reference number and qualification requirements in the current bursary advertisement before applying.

Similar Bursaries:

WHAT ARE THE DFFE BURSARY REQUIREMENTS?

To be considered for the DFFE Bursary, applicants must meet the requirements specified in the current bursary programme. For the 2027 intake, applicants must:

  • Be a Grade 12 learner or a student already enrolled at an institution of higher learning.
  • Be studying or intending to study full-time.
  • Be unemployed.
  • Be pursuing a qualification that falls within one of the fields supported by DFFE.
  • Have not previously participated in a Public Service internship programme.
  • Clearly indicate the relevant reference number and field of study when applying.
  • Submit the prescribed application form and all required supporting documents.

Persons living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants should therefore make sure that all required information and supporting documents are included before submitting the application.

WHAT DOES THE DFFE BURSARY COVER?

The DFFE Bursary provides financial support of up to R80,000 per student per year.

The exact expenses covered are determined by the bursary agreement and the Department’s applicable terms and conditions. Successful applicants are required to sign a bursary contract.

The bursary also carries an important post-study condition: successful beneficiaries are required to participate in an internship programme after completing their studies, subject to the applicable Public Service and Departmental requirements.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE DFFE BURSARY?

Applications for the DFFE Bursary must be submitted using the DFFE Bursary Application Form 2027 (.pdf).

  1. Complete the prescribed DFFE bursary application form.
  2. Clearly indicate the relevant reference number and field of study.
  3. Attach all required supporting documents.
  4. Submit the completed application by hand, courier or post to one of the designated DFFE addresses.
  5. Make sure the application reaches DFFE before the closing date.

DFFE does not accept applications by fax or email. Late applications will not be considered.

PRETORIA HAND DELIVERY:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
Environment House
473 Steve Biko Street
Corner Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Road
Arcadia
Pretoria

CAPE TOWN HAND DELIVERY:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
Foretrust Building
No. 3 Hammerschlag Way
Foreshore
Cape Town 8000

POSTAL APPLICATIONS:
Attention: Learning and Development (Bursary Section)
Director-General
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
Private Bag X447
Pretoria 0001

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE DFFE BURSARY?

Applicants must submit the supporting documents requested by DFFE with their bursary application. These include:

  • A completed and signed DFFE bursary application form.
  • A written motivation explaining why the bursary should be awarded.
  • Copies of relevant qualifications.
  • Recent academic records.
  • A copy of the applicant’s ID.
  • Copies of the ID documents of both parents or guardian.
  • Proof of registration if already enrolled at an institution of higher learning.
  • The latest Grade 12 results if currently in high school.
  • Proof of income for the applicant’s parents or guardian.
  • Proof of the parents’ or guardian’s status if they are deceased.
  • An affidavit if the parents or guardian are not working.

Applicants should check the latest prescribed form and bursary advertisement carefully because the Department may require specific information linked to the relevant reference number and field of study.

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE DFFE BURSARY?

2 October 2026.

DFFE has stated that no late applications will be accepted, so applicants should submit their applications before the closing date rather than waiting until the final day.

Correspondence will generally be limited to shortlisted or successful applicants. Applicants who have not been contacted by the end of January 2027 should regard their application as unsuccessful.

HOW DO I CONTACT THE DFFE ABOUT THE BURSARY?

Applicants can contact the DFFE bursary officials using the following numbers:

  • PRETORIA: Joshua Moepya – 012 399 8682
  • PRETORIA: Busisiwe Stemele – 012 399 8685
  • PRETORIA: Mokhobo Putu – 012 399 9018
  • CAPE TOWN: Kgomotso Moela – 081 492 5570
  • CAPE TOWN: Neliswa Magwala – 066 081 9858
  • CAPE TOWN: Tumeka Madolo – 071 607 2014

For general DFFE enquiries, the Department can be contacted on 012 399 9000.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is a South African government department responsible for areas including environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, forestry, fisheries, oceans and coastal management, climate change and waste management.

The Department’s bursary programme is therefore focused on developing skills that support these areas. Its supported fields include environmental sciences, conservation, forestry, marine and fisheries sciences, engineering, environmental law, economics, spatial planning and other related disciplines.

DFFE BURSARY FAQ

CAN GRADE 12 LEARNERS APPLY FOR THE DFFE BURSARY?

Yes. The 2027 DFFE Bursary programme accepts applications from Grade 12 learners who meet the programme requirements and are not employed.

CAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS APPLY FOR THE DFFE BURSARY?

Yes. Students already enrolled at an institution of higher learning can apply provided they meet the DFFE requirements and are studying full-time in a supported field.

HOW MUCH DOES THE DFFE BURSARY PAY?

The current DFFE bursary provides a maximum of R80,000 per student per year.

CAN I EMAIL MY DFFE BURSARY APPLICATION?

No. DFFE states that bursary applications must be submitted using the prescribed application process. Applications sent by fax or email will not be accepted.

DO DFFE BURSARY RECIPIENTS HAVE TO COMPLETE AN INTERNSHIP?

Yes. Participation in an internship programme after completing the qualification forms part of the DFFE bursary agreement and applicable conditions.

WHEN DOES THE DFFE BURSARY CLOSE?

The closing date for the 2027 DFFE Bursary is 2 October 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

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