DEDEAT Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

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The Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) runs an external bursary for young people from the province who want to study in the fields that drive its mandate: economic development, environmental management and tourism. It is aimed at students from previously disadvantaged communities who have no other funding.

About the DEDEAT Bursary

The bursary funds undergraduate and postgraduate study at accredited South African institutions in two groups of fields:

• Economic development: business law, statistics, community development, international studies, energy studies, renewable energy and sustainable development, and agricultural economics.
• Environmental affairs: environmental science (including waste and air quality), environmental policy and management, environmental design, biodiversity, marine and coastal management, climate change, environmental chemistry, marine biology and sociology.

Tuition and related costs are paid to the institution. Amounts depend on the qualification and the department’s budget.

DEDEAT Bursary eligibility requirements

• South African citizen living in the Eastern Cape.
• From a previously disadvantaged community, with proof of household income.
• Completed Matric.
• Accepted at an accredited tertiary institution for one of the fields above.
• Preference for first-time bursary recipients with no post-Matric qualification.

How to apply for the DEDEAT Bursary

1. Collect the application form from the DEDEAT head office in Bhisho or from a regional office: Alfred Nzo (Maluti), Amathole (East London), Chris Hani (Komani), Joe Gqabi (Aliwal North), OR Tambo (Mthatha) or Sarah Baartman (Gqeberha).
2. Attach: a passport photograph; a certified copy of your ID; certified Matric results; the institution’s acceptance letter; your academic record if you are already studying; certified copies of your parents’ or guardians’ IDs; proof of household income (payslips or an affidavit); and proof of residence.
3. Return the completed form to the office where you collected it, or email it to externalbursaries@dedea.gov.za if the advert allows, before the closing date. Applications with missing documents are disqualified.

DEDEAT Bursary closing date

The 2026 round closed on 31 December 2025. Expect the 2027 round to close between late November and December 2026.

Contact details

• Email: externalbursaries@dedea.gov.za
• Head office, Bhisho: Thabo Manentsa, 066 486 8229
• Regional offices: Amathole 043 707 4000; Chris Hani 045 809 4000; OR Tambo 047 531 1191; Sarah Baartman 041 508 5826; Joe Gqabi 051 633 2901; Alfred Nzo 039 256 0229
• Website: www.dedea.gov.za

Eastern Cape students should also look at the other provincial department schemes on our government bursaries page, and environmental science students at the national Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment bursary, which closes on 2 October 2026.

FAQs

About DEDEAT

Provincial government department (Eastern Cape)

The Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) drives the province's economic growth strategy, manages environmental affairs and promotes tourism as an economic sector. DEDEAT works from its head office at Block 16, Business…

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