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

Opportunity Overview

South African National Parks (SANParks), established under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003, is committed to the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, landscapes, and heritage. A key part of its mission is to ensure that South Africans are involved in biodiversity initiatives and that its operations benefit surrounding communities educationally and socioeconomically.

This external bursary programme is calling for aspiring youth who will be entering their first year of undergraduate studies in the 2027 academic year. The initiative is specifically designed to support children residing in communities neighbouring or adjacent to National Parks, contributing to SANParks' strategic goal of fostering community support and shared benefits.

This comprehensive bursary covers a wide array of academic fields, encouraging the development of diverse skills essential for both national progress and conservation efforts within South Africa.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be a South African citizen.
• Must reside in a community living adjacent to a National Park, as defined in its management plan.
• Must be entering post-matric study in 2027.
• Must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Open to students pursuing a qualification at a TVET college, public South African College, University of Technology, or University.
• Must provide proof of application and admission to an accredited institution of Higher Education, demonstrating eligibility for funding.
• Applicants from households with an annual income exceeding R350,000.00 do not qualify.
• For students currently registered at a Higher Education Institution, a 100% pass rate for all registered courses in any completed study period is required.
• Academic merit will be considered, with an emphasis on increasing participation from women, people living with disabilities, and designated groups.
• Applications must be for full-time studies towards an academic diploma or degree.

Key Fields of Study

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, and 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

• Ensure you meet all the minimum requirements before submitting your application.
• Prepare your application, which must include proof of application and admission to an accredited institution of Higher Education, indicating your eligibility for funding.
• Submit your complete application by emailing it to: happy.nhlangwini@sanparks.org
• The closing date for applications is 21 August 2026.