Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) Bursary Application for 2026/2027
Detailed guide on Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) Bursary Application in 2026/2027. Are you a passionate South African student who dreams of making a difference in the environment, natural resources, and sustainable development sectors? The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) Bursary Programme 2026/2027 is now open for applications, providing funding support to deserving students who want to pursue studies that align with South Africa’s environmental and conservation priorities.
The DFFE bursary supports undergraduate and postgraduate students in critical fields such as Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Forestry, Fisheries, Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Zoology, and Environmental Law. This bursary not only covers essential study costs like tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation, and meals but also provides opportunities for mentorship, research exposure, and future career pathways within government and related sectors.
By applying for the DFFE Bursary 2026/2027, students gain the chance to reduce financial barriers to education while contributing to South Africa’s vision for a greener, more sustainable future.
In addition, satrends.co.za offers a wide range of other bursary categories to suit your preference. Click on the links below to access other kinds of bursaries.
Universities in South Africa Bursaries Available for 2026
Government Departments Bursaries Available for 2026
Field of Studies Specified Bursaries Available for 2026
Keep reading to discover the full eligibility requirements, priority study fields, application process, and deadline for the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) Bursary Application 2026/2027.
About Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is a national department within the South African government. It was formed in 2019 following a merger between the Department of Environmental Affairs and parts of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). The department was previously known as DEFF (Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries) before being renamed DFFE in April 2021.
The DFFE plays a vital role in protecting, conserving, and improving South Africa’s environment and natural resources, ensuring sustainability for current and future generations.
About DFFE Bursary Programme 2026/2027
Fields Covered
The DFFE is inviting students to apply for its 2026 bursary programme.
Bursaries will be awarded in the following study areas under:
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION:
- ND/Degree Environmental Management / B Environmental Science Degree/ Biological Science
- B Sc Natural Sciences Management, Geography and Hydrology
- ND/ Degree Eco tourism and game range management
- ND/ BA Degree Environmental economics
- ND / BTech / Post Graduate Diploma, Nature Conservation
- B Degree in Ecological Engineering Sciences
- B Degree in Resource Economics
- N Dip/ BTech Nature conservation
- BSc Zoology and Botany
- Environmental legislation/ Law – BSc Environmental Management/ legislation/ Law
- Geology – BSc Geology
- ND/ BSC Environmental Resource Management, Hydrology and Water Resources Management
CHEMICALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT:
- ND/ B Tech/ M Tech/ D Tech (Environmental Science/ Environmental Management/ Environmental Health/ Environmental law/ Environmental education)
- ND/ B Tech/ M Tech/ D Tech Waste Management
- BA Degree/Hons/MA Geography
- MSc in Environmental Pollution / Ecotoxicology/ Remediation studies
- ND/ BA Degree/ Hons/ MA Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry and Biotechnology
- MSc in Exposure Science (specialising in environmental science)
- ND/ Degree/ Hons/ MA Civil Engineering
- ND/ Degree/ BSc Hons/Masters in Geohydrology
- MSc/ MTech Biochemistry / Microbiology
- BCom/ Postgraduate Diploma/ Data science
- ND/ B Degree Risk Management
CLIMATE AND CHANGE AND AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT:
- ND /B Sc Environmental Science
- ND/B Sc Environmental Management
- B Degree Earth and Environmental Sciences
- B Degree Natural Science
- B Sc Chemistry
- B Sc Geography / Archaeology and Environmental
- ND/ B Degree in Sustainable Development
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES:
- BSc Degree/ Hons/ MSc/ PhD in Environmental Management/ Science
- BSc Conservation Ecology/Biodiversity/ Biology
- BSc Marine Biology
- B Degree/ Hons/ MSc Engineering Management / Civil Engineering
- B Sc/ Hons Geographical information System
- MSc Ecological Economics
- Postgraduate Diploma/ Masters in Sustainability Learning
- ND/ Degree/ Hons/ MA/ PhD Project Management
- ND/ Degree/ Hons Resource Economics/ Social Innovation
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT:
- Maritime Studies (related to harbour/ports – fishing harbours) / Maritime law
- MSc Aquaculture
- BSc/Hons/MSc/PhD Oceanography, Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Environmental Science, Aquaculture and Fisheries
- B Sc 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
- Master’s in international marine and environmental law/ policy/ governance/ Multilateral negotiations
- BSc/ MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing / Environmental Informatics
- Postgraduate Diploma/ MSc in Climate Change and Sustainable Development
- Post graduate Diploma in Accounting Science/MPhil Development Finance
- Hons/Masters Economics, Agriculture Economics, Fisheries Economics
FORESTRY MANAGEMENT:
- B Sc Hon Natural Resource Management
- ND/Degree/Hons/MSc/PHD in Forest Science / Forestry
- ND/Degree/Hons/MSc/PHD in Forest Management
- Post Graduate Diploma in Forestry / Forest Science
- B Agric Hons
- B Agric Hons in Rural Development Planning
- BSc Forestry
- BSc Hons in Wildlife Management
- MSc in Conservation Ecology
OCEANS AND COASTS:
- BSc in Coastal and marine engineering – coastal erosion, rehabilitation and restoration
- Master’s/ PhD degree in town and regional planning, Architecture, Urban Design and surveying
- Masters/ PhD degree in climate change, adaptation, mitigation, policy and sustainability
- Advanced diploma/ B Tech mechanical/ B Tech/BSc/ MTech/ Meng Engineering
- BSc Hons / MSc / PhD Physical Oceanography
- BSc Hons / MSc/ PhD in Marine Spatial Planning
- B Degree/ Hons/ master’s in economics / environmental economics / Maritime Economics
- BSc Hons/ MSC/ PhD Marine Biodiversity & Taxonomy (systematics)
- BSc Hons /MSc/ PhD Marine Biology
- BSc Hons/ MSc Biochemistry or Genetics
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE SECTOR MONITORING:
- LLB (Major courses: administrative law, legislative drafting, Environmental Law)
- LLM
- B.A 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
Coverage Value & Selection
- The bursary provides financial assistance up to R50 000.
- After completing their studies, recipients will be required to participate in the DFFE internship programme.
- Successful applicants will be notified by 31 January 2026. If you do not receive feedback by this date, consider your application unsuccessful.
- All recipients will be required to sign a bursary contract with the department.
Eligibility Requirements for DFFE Bursary Application in 2026/2027
To qualify, applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be in Matric or have already completed Matric.
- Plan to study full-time towards a qualification in one of the listed fields.
- Be enrolled or intend to study at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa.
- Must not be employed.
- Must not be a current employee of the DFFE.
- Must not have previously taken part in a public service internship programme.
- Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged students and those living with disabilities.
How To Apply For The DFFE Bursary in 2026/2027
- Download and complete the official DFFE Bursary Application Form 2026 (.docx). Click here to download the application form.
- Indicate the reference number and qualification you are applying for on the form:
-
- Biodiversity and Conservation (Ref: B&C/01/2026)
- Chemicals and Waste Management (Ref: CWM/01/2026)
- Climate Change and Air Quality Management (Ref: CCAQ/01/2026)
- Environmental Programmes (Ref: EP/01/2026)
- Fisheries Management (Ref: FISH/01/2026)
- Forestry Management (Ref: FOR/01/2026)
- Oceans and Coasts (Ref: OC/01/2026)
- Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring (Ref: RCSM/01/2026)
-
Submit the following compulsory supporting documents (certified where required):
-
- ID document
- Latest Matric results (if currently in Matric)
- Matric certificate (if completed)
- Qualification certificates (if applicable)
- Most recent academic transcripts (if studying)
- Proof of registration (if enrolled)
- Parents/guardians’ ID documents
- Parents/guardians’ proof of income (latest payslips, affidavit if unemployed, SASSA grant/pension proof, or death certificates if applicable)
- A motivational letter explaining why you should be awarded the bursary
Submission Methods:
-
Courier/Hand Delivery – Pretoria:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Street, Cnr Steve Biko & Soutpansberg Road, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0001 -
Courier/Hand Delivery – Cape Town:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Foretrust Building, 3 Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000 -
Post:
The Director General
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001
Attention: Learning and Development (Bursary Section)
Note: Faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Closing Date for DFFE Bursary Application 2026/2027
Application Deadline: 3 October
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Submit early to avoid disqualification.
Contact Details of Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
For queries, contact the DFFE directly:
Pretoria contacts:
- Joshua Moepya – 012 399 8682
- Busisiwe Stemele – 012 399 8685
- Mokhobo Putu – 012 399 9018
Cape Town contacts:
- Kgomotso Moela – 021 402 3329
- Neliswa Magwala – 021 814 8089
- Tumeka Madolo – 021 402 3072
