South African National Parks (SANParks): Bursaries 2027

•  Apply before Aug 01, 2026 

Overview

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.

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.

Fields of study Covered by the Bursary

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

• Environmental Sciences:

1. Nature Conservation,
2. Environmental management,
3. Environmental Science,
4. Green Energy,
5. Environmental Engineering,
6. sustainable development
7. Game ranch management

• Tourism:

1. Hospitality Management,
2. Tourism Management,
3. Resort Management,
4. Tour guide,
5. Events and Conference Management.

• Social Sciences:

1. Community Development,
2. Economic Development,
3. Socio-Economic Development
4. related Development studies

• Infrastructure and Built Environment:

1. Civil Engineering,
2. Mechanical Engineering,
3. Electrical Engineering,
4. Construction Management,
5. Quantity Surveying,
6. Architecture,
7. Project Management

• Technical and Artisan Trades:

1. Electricians,
2. Plumbers,
3. Welders,
4. Millwrights,
5. Mechanics,
6. Technicians,
7. Solar Technicians,
8. Refrigerator Technicians,
9. Water and Wastewater Technicians

• Emerging Scarce Skills:

1. GIS, Analytics,
2. Cyber security,
3. Renewable Energy,
4. Climate Change Adaptation,
5. Biodiversity Economists,
6. Entrepreneurship.

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. 
• 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 (University, TVET, College, University of Technology).
• 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).

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.

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.

How to Apply

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.

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

Send Applications to: happy.nhlangwini@sanparks.org