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South African National Parks External Bursary Programme: Call for 2027 Intake

The South African National Parks (SANParks) is looking for aspiring youth entering their first year of undergraduate studies in the 2027 academic year to join our external bursary programme.

What SANParks does

South African National Parks (SANParks) was established in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No 57 of 2003). The primary mandate of SANParks is to oversee the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, landscapes, and associated heritage assets through a system of national parks. It also must ensure that South Africans participate and get involved in biodiversity initiatives, and that all its operations have a synergistic existence with neighbouring communities for their educational and socioeconomic benefit.

One of the strategic directions of SANParks is growing community support, providing access, benefit-sharing and benefit local communities, thus the call for applications for the bursary opportunity. This bursary scheme is intended to benefit   children residing in communities neighbouring or adjacent to of the National Parks and will be implemented by the SANParks.

Bursary Application

The Field of study applied for but not limited, include Degree & National Diploma in the field of:

  • Environmental Sciences including Nature Conservation, Environmental management, Environmental Science, Green Energy, Environmental Engineering, sustainable development and Game ranch management
  • Tourism including Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, Resort Management, Tour guide, Events and Conference Management.
  • Social Sciences including Community Development, Economic Development, Socio-Economic Development and related Development studies
  • Infrastructure and Built Environment including Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Project Management
  • Technical and Artisan Trades including Electricians, Plumbers, Welders, Millwrights, Mechanics, Technicians, Solar Technicians, Refrigerator Technicians, Water and Wastewater Technicians
  • Emerging Scarce Skills including GIS, Analytics, Cyber security, Renewable Energy, Climate Change Adaptation, Biodiversity Economists, Entrepreneurship.

THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE BURSARY

Academic merit will be considered during the selection process, as well as the imperative to increase the participation of women, people living with disability and designated groups.

Requirements

  • Recipients of the SANParks bursary Scheme must be South African citizens.
  • They must be learners from communities living adjacent to National Parks as defined in their management plans. Attach a link to find the Management plans on SANParks Website.
  • Proof of application and admission to an accredited institution of Higher Education eligibility for funding.
  • Must be entering post matric study in 2027.
  • The bursary is open to students who are pursuing a qualification in a TVET college.
  • Must be youth 18 – 35
  • Applicants who earn more than the threshold of R350 000.00 per year do not qualify
  • For students currently registered at Institution of Higher Education, they must have a 100% pass rate to be considered (passed all the courses for which you have registered for at the university for the study period already completed).

Please Note

Failure to attach these documents will result in your application being null and void.

Please note that applications must be for full-time studies towards an academic diploma / degree at an accredited public South African College / University of Technology / University.

If you have not been contacted by 30 January 2025, consider your application as unsuccessful.

How To Apply

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should forward their applications accompanied by the required documentation listed below to the following:

Documents Required

  • Motivation letter indicating the reasons for the required bursary as well as the field of study you are applying for.
  • A Comprehensive updated CV.
  • A copy of your certified identity document.
  • A copy of your certified latest academic record.
  • Acceptance letter from the registered / accredited public institution of Higher Education (University, TVET, College, University of Technology).
  • Proof of residential address.
  • If receiving social grant, please attach- affidavit indicating that the income is less than threshold.

Email: [email protected]

Enquiries : [email protected] or 012 426 5173

Closing Date

21 August 2026