South African National Parks (SANParks) Bursary Programme 2027

Opportunity Overview

South African National Parks (SANParks) invites aspiring youth to apply for its external bursary programme for the 2027 academic year. This initiative supports individuals entering their first year of undergraduate studies.

The bursary scheme aims to foster community support and provide benefits to local communities, particularly those residing in areas adjacent to National Parks. It offers an opportunity to study in various fields critical to environmental management, tourism, social development, infrastructure, and emerging scarce skills.

Minimum Requirements

To be considered for the SANParks Bursary Programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a South African citizen.
• Reside in communities adjacent to National Parks, as defined in their respective management plans.
• Be between 18 and 35 years of age.
• Be entering post-matric studies in the 2027 academic year.
• Have applied and been admitted to an accredited public South African College, University of Technology, or University for full-time studies towards an academic diploma or degree.
• Applicants whose personal annual income exceeds R350,000 do not qualify.
• For students currently registered at a Higher Education Institution, a 100% pass rate for all courses registered for in previous study periods is required.
• Academic merit will be considered during the selection process, with an emphasis on increasing participation from women, people living with disabilities, and designated groups.

The bursary supports studies in various fields, including but not limited to:

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

How to Apply

Applications for the SANParks Bursary Programme must be submitted online.

• Visit the official application portal: https://www.graduates24.com/south-african-national-parks-sanparks-bursaries-2027
• The deadline for applications is August 1, 2026.