The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027 is now open for applications. If you are a South African citizen currently in Matric or having completed Matric, studying or intending to study full-time towards a qualification in Biodiversity and Conservation, Chemicals and Waste Management, Climate Change and Air Quality Management, Environmental Programmes, Fisheries Management, Forestry Management, Oceans and Coasts, or Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa, this opportunity could help you fund your education. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027: who qualifies, what fields are covered, what expenses are included, and how to apply before the closing date.

About the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is a South African government department responsible for managing and protecting the country’s natural environment and biodiversity.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme for the 2027 academic year.

Organisation: DFFE • Sector: Government • Focus: Environmental, Forestry, Fisheries, Oceans • Academic Year: 2027

What Fields of Study Are Covered?

Biodiversity And Conservation (Ref: B&C/01/2027)

ND/BA Environmental Management / BSc Environmental Science
BSc Natural Sciences Management
ND/Degree Eco tourism and game range management
N Dip/BTech/Postgraduate Diploma: Nature conservation
BSc Zoology and Botany

Chemicals And Waste Management (Ref: CWM/01/2027)

ND/B Tech/B Degree/Hons/MSc: Chemistry
ND/B Tech/M Tech/D Tech: Environmental Science/Environmental Management/Environmental law/Environmental education
ND/B Tech/M Tech/D Tech: Waste Management/Recycling Economy/Waste as resource
BA Degree/Hons/MSc Geography and Society with research in Waste Management/Resource Efficiency/Circular economy/Extended producer responsibility
B Degree/Hons/MA: Chemical Engineering / Civil Engineering
B Degree/Hons/MSc/PhD Natural Sciences with research in resource efficiency/Geography/Development Studies
LLB Degree/LLM/PhD: Environmental Law with research or thesis in transforming environmental law to keep up with the latest international trends on waste as a resource

Climate Change And Air Quality Management (Ref: CCAQ/01/2027)

ND /BSc Environmental Science
ND/BSc Environmental Management
B Degree Earth and Environmental Sciences
B Degree Natural Science
BSc Chemistry
BSc Geography / Archaeology and Environmental
ND/B Degree in Sustainable Development

Environmental Programmes (Ref: EP/01/2027)

BSc Degree/Hons/MSc in Environmental Management/Science
BSc Conservation/Ecology/Biodiversity/Biology
BSc Marine Biology
B Degree/Hons/MSc Engineering Management / Civil Engineering
BSc/Hons Geographical Information System
MSc Ecological Economics

Fisheries Management (Ref: FISH/01/2027)

Maritime Studies (related to harbour/ports – fishing harbours) /Maritime law
BSc/Hons/MSc/PhD Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Environmental Science, Aquaculture and Fisheries
BSc 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
BSc/MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing / Environmental Informatics
Postgraduate Diploma/ MSc in Climate Change and Sustainable Development
Hons/Masters Economics, Agriculture Economics, Fisheries Economics

Forestry Management (Ref: FOR/01/2027)

Diploma in Forestry
Advanced Diploma in Forestry
Bachelor of Science
Honours in Natural Resource Management
BSc in Forestry and Wood Sciences

Oceans And Coasts (Ref: OC/01/2027)

BSc/ Hons/ MSc/ PhD: Biodiversity/ Conservation Biology/ Marine Biology/ Environmental Science
BTech Engineering: Electrical/ Electronic/ Mechanical/ Communication
Hons/ Masters: Physical/ Chemical/ Biological Oceanography
BA/ BCom/ Hons/ Masters/ PhD: Natural Resource Economics/ Environmental Economics/ Maritime Studies/ Maritime Economics
Hons/ Masters: Ecophysiology/ Taxonomy/ Systematics
BSc/ BTech/ Hons/ MSc: Marine Biology and Ecology/ Environmental Management/ Nature Conservation or equivalent
B Eng/ BSc Eng: Coastal Engineering, coastal dynamics and adaptation, restoration and rehabilitation
BA/ BCom: Marine and Coastal policy, Community engagement and stakeholder management
B Tech/ Hons: Coastal and Marine climate change
B Tech/ Hons: Coastal Spatial Planning/ Town and Regional Planning
Hons/ MSc: Chemistry-Heavy Metals/ Hydrocarbons
Hons/ MSc: Ecophysiology/ Taxonomy (Systematics and Biodiversity)

Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring (Ref: RCSM/01/2027)

LLB (Major courses: administrative law, legislative drafting, Environmental Law)
LLM
BA 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

Expenses Covered

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027 will be awarded for the maximum value of R80,000.

After graduation, bursary recipients will be required to participate in the internship program.

Eligibility Requirements for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027

Before you apply for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027, check that you meet all the requirements below. If you miss any requirement, your application will not be considered.

You must be a South African citizen
You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
You must be studying or intend on studying full-time towards a qualification in one of the fields listed above
You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
You must NOT be employed
You must NOT be an employee of the DFFE
You must NOT have previously participated in the public service internship program

Preference will be given to:

Previously disadvantaged candidates
Those living with disabilities

Required Documents

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form.

ID document
Matric latest results (if currently in Matric)
Matric certificate (if completed Matric)
Qualifications or certificates completed (if applicable)
Most recent academic records (if currently studying)
Proof of registration, if enrolled (on institution’s letterhead)
Parents or guardians ID documents
Parents or guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed / affidavit if unemployed / proof of SASSA grant or pension if applicable / affidavit or death certificates if deceased)
Motivational letter to support your application and explain why you should be awarded the bursary

Important Information

Successful candidates will be contacted by no later than 31 January 2027. If you do not receive any feedback by this date, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
Successful bursary recipients will be required to sign a bursary contract with the department.

How to Apply for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027

Follow these steps to submit your application for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027. Applications must be submitted via hand delivery, courier, or post. Applications submitted via fax or email will NOT be accepted.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements listed above, including being a South African citizen, not being employed, and not being an employee of the DFFE.

Step 2: Download the Application Form

Download and complete the official DFFE Bursary Application Form by clicking the button below.

📄 Download DFFE Bursary Application Form

Direct form link: https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/forms/fulltimebursaryapplication2027.pdf

Step 3: Indicate Your Reference Number

Indicate the relevant reference number and qualification you are applying for, on the application form:

Biodiversity And Conservation: (Ref: B&C/01/2027)
Chemicals And Waste Management: (Ref: CWM/01/2027)
Climate Change And Air Quality Management: (Ref: CCAQ/01/2027)
Environmental Programmes: (Ref: EP/01/2027)
Fisheries Management: (Ref: FISH/01/2027)
Forestry Management: (Ref: FOR/01/2027)
Oceans And Coasts: (Ref: OC/01/2027)
Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring: (Ref: RCSM/01/2027)

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Gather all the required documents listed above, including your motivational letter explaining why you should be awarded the bursary.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Submit your completed application form and supporting documents via one of the following methods:

Hand Delivery or Courier:

Pretoria: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Street, Cnr Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Road, Arcadia, Pretoria
Cape Town: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Foretrust Building, No 3 Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000

Post:

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

Note: Applications submitted via fax or email will NOT be accepted.

Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline

⏰ Closing Date for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027: 2 October 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.

Contact Information

If you have any queries related to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027, please contact the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) directly:

Pretoria Contacts

Joshua Moepya (Tel: 012 399 8682)
Busisiwe Stemele (Tel: 012 399 8685)
Mokhobo Putu (Tel: 012 399 9018)

Cape Town Contacts

Kgomotso Moela (Tel: 081 492 5570)
Neliswa Magwala (Tel: 066 081 9858)
Tumeka Madolo (Tel: 071 607 2014)

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027 – Quick Summary

Organisation: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Bursary Name: DFFE Bursary Programme
Sector: Government
Academic Year: 2027
Who can apply: South African citizens
Fields of study: Biodiversity and Conservation, Chemicals and Waste Management, Climate Change and Air Quality Management, Environmental Programmes, Fisheries Management, Forestry Management, Oceans and Coasts, Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring
Study level: Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Institution type: Recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
Key requirements: Currently in Matric or completed Matric, full-time study, NOT employed, NOT an employee of DFFE, NOT previously participated in public service internship
Preference: Previously disadvantaged candidates and those living with disabilities
Bursary value: Maximum R80,000
Post-study requirement: Participate in the internship program
Required documents: ID, Matric results/certificate, qualifications, academic records, proof of registration, parents/guardians ID and proof of income, motivational letter
Application method: Hand delivery, courier, or post (NO fax or email submissions)
Feedback timeline: By 31 January 2027
Closing date: 2 October 2026

Frequently Asked Questions About the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027

1. Can I apply if I am currently employed?

No. You must NOT be employed to apply for this bursary.

2. Can I apply if I am an employee of the DFFE?

No. You must NOT be an employee of the DFFE.

3. What is the maximum value of the bursary?

The bursary will be awarded for a maximum value of R80,000.

4. Will I need to complete an internship after graduation?

Yes. After graduation, bursary recipients will be required to participate in the internship program.

5. Can I submit my application via email?

No. Applications submitted via fax or email will NOT be accepted. You must submit via hand delivery, courier, or post.

6. How do I indicate which field I am applying for?

Indicate the relevant reference number and qualification on the application form. The reference numbers are listed in the “How to Apply” section above.

7. What is the closing date?

The closing date for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary South Africa 2027 is 2 October 2026.

8. Where can I find more environmental bursaries?

Visit latest environmental bursaries in South Africa for 2027 or latest government bursaries in South Africa for 2027 on EduFunds.co.za for more funding opportunities.

Looking for more study funding? Explore bursaries South Africa 2027 on EduFunds.co.za

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Bursary Programme 2027
Protecting South Africa’s natural environment • Developing environmental professionals