SANParks External Bursary Programme

South African National Parks is funding first-year undergraduate study for youth aged 18 to 35 from communities neighbouring national parks, across an unusually wide range of fields from conservation to artisan trades.

Closes

21 August 2026

About this bursary

SANParks was established under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003, to conserve South Africa's biodiversity, landscapes and heritage through its national parks, while ensuring those operations create educational and economic benefit for neighbouring communities. This bursary is one of its most direct investments in those communities, covering degree, diploma, TVET and artisan qualifications at any accredited public South African institution.

Fields Covered

Environmental Sciences

Nature ConservationEnvironmental ManagementGreen EnergyEnvironmental EngineeringSustainable DevelopmentGame Ranch Management

Tourism

Hospitality ManagementTourism ManagementResort ManagementTour GuidingEvents & Conference Management

Social Sciences

Community DevelopmentEconomic DevelopmentSocio-Economic Development

Infrastructure & Built Environment

Civil EngineeringMechanical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringConstruction ManagementQuantity SurveyingArchitectureProject Management

Technical & Artisan Trades

ElectriciansPlumbersWeldersMillwrightsMechanicsTechniciansSolar TechniciansRefrigeration TechniciansWater & Wastewater Technicians

Emerging Scarce Skills

GISAnalyticsCyber SecurityRenewable EnergyClimate Change AdaptationBiodiversity EconomicsEntrepreneurship

Requirements

✓South African citizen

✓From a community living adjacent to a National Park, as defined in that park's management plan

✓Aged 18 to 35

✓Entering first-year post-Matric study in 2027 (university, university of technology, or TVET college)

✓Household or applicant income not exceeding R350,000 per year

✓If already registered at an institution, a 100% pass rate for all completed study periods

✓Proof of application and admission to an accredited institution

What you get

★Comprehensive bursary covering approved study-related expenses

★Selection considers academic merit alongside SANParks' commitment to women, people with disabilities, and designated groups

★Covers degree, National Diploma, TVET and artisan qualifications

Ready to apply?

You'll be taken to SANParks's official application platform.

See other bursaries

Verified against sanparks.org official vacancies listing. Applications are processed by SANParks directly. MMT does not handle submissions or selection.