NDMC External Bursary 2027: Applications Open for Disaster Management and Fire Engineering Students

Who can apply

• Be South African citizens.
• Have applied for, been accepted into or already be registered for an eligible programme.
• Be pursuing an Undergraduate, Postgraduate Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Master’s programme in Disaster Management, Fire Technology or Fire Engineering.
• Study at a recognised public higher education institution in South Africa.
• Applicants should carefully check the additional academic and documentation requirements applicable to their level of study.
• Certified South African ID
• Master’s applicants have additional requirements.
• A certified copy of a valid South African ID.
• A certified copy of their Matric certificate.
• A brief CV of no more than two pages.
• Their latest academic transcript or statement of results showing a minimum average of 65%.
• Proof of application, acceptance or registration for a full programme in Disaster Management, Fire Technology or Fire Engineering at a recognised South African public higher education institution.
• A Master’s research proposal aligned with the NDMC’s 16 Priority Thematic Areas.
• Master’s applicants should therefore pay particular attention to the research requirement before submitting an application.
• The programme is open to qualifying South African citizens pursuing eligible Disaster Management, Fire Technology or Fire Engineering studies at recognised public higher education institutions.
• Does the NDMC bursary pay 100% of tuition?

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to NDMC External - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

South African students pursuing studies in Disaster Management, Fire Technology or Fire Engineering can apply for financial support through the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) External Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.

Check if you Qualify for this Bursary Before you Apply

The National Disaster Management Centre, which falls under the Department of Cooperative Governance, is offering the bursary as part of its efforts to strengthen South Africa’s disaster-risk-reduction and emergency-management capacity by developing skilled professionals.

The bursary supports qualifying students studying towards undergraduate, postgraduate diploma, advanced diploma and Master’s qualifications in specified fields at recognised public higher education institutions in South Africa.

Applications close on 30 September 2026.

Quick Overview: NDMC Bursary 2027

What is the NDMC Bursary Programme?

The National Disaster Management Centre External Bursary Programme is intended to support deserving South African students who are developing expertise in areas important to disaster preparedness, disaster-risk reduction, emergency management and fire-related disciplines.

The programme specifically targets students pursuing qualifications in:

• Disaster Management
• Fire Technology
• Fire Engineering

Applicants must have applied for, been accepted into or already be registered for an eligible programme at a recognised public higher education institution in South Africa.

The advertisement states that certificate courses and PhD qualifications are excluded.

Who Can Apply for the NDMC Bursary 2027?

According to the official advertisement, applicants must:

Applicants should carefully check the additional academic and documentation requirements applicable to their level of study.

Requirements for Undergraduate, Postgraduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma Students

Students applying at undergraduate, postgraduate diploma or advanced diploma level must provide:

Applicants must submit a certified copy of a valid South African identity document.

1. Latest academic results

A latest academic transcript or statement of results must be submitted, with a minimum average of 60%.

1. Matric certificate

Applicants must provide a certified copy of their Matric certificate.

1. Proof of application, acceptance or registration

Students must provide proof that they have applied for, been accepted into or registered for a full programme in:

• Disaster Management;
• Fire Technology; or
• Fire Engineering.

The qualification must be offered by a recognised public higher education institution in South Africa.

Requirements for Master’s Degree Students

Master’s applicants have additional requirements.

They must submit:

Master’s applicants should therefore pay particular attention to the research requirement before submitting an application.

What Does the NDMC Bursary Cover?

Successful students can receive substantial financial support.

According to the bursary advertisement, the programme covers:

100% of tuition fees, including registration fees.

However, the bursary does not cover:

• Accommodation;
• Meals;
• Books; or
• Travel expenses.

Master’s students may additionally receive a research allowance capped at R11,000.

Applicants should take these exclusions into account when planning how they will finance other costs associated with studying.

How to Apply for the NDMC Bursary 2027

Applications must be completed online.

Apply for the NDMC External Bursary 2027

Applicants should prepare all the required supporting documents before beginning the application.

The NDMC specifically warns that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications submitted by email will also not be considered, and applicants should ensure that uploaded documents are not password-protected or corrupted.

Late applications will not be considered.

Master’s Research Agenda

Master’s students must ensure that their proposed research is aligned with one of the NDMC’s 16 Priority Thematic Areas.

View the NDMC Research Agenda PDF

Prospective Master’s applicants should review this document before finalising their research proposal.

NDMC Bursary Closing Date

The closing date for applications is: 30 September 2026

Students who meet the requirements should avoid waiting until the closing date to apply.

The NDMC states that the bursary programme is highly competitive and encourages eligible candidates to submit applications as early as possible.

Students With Disabilities Are Encouraged to Apply

The National Disaster Management Centre specifically states in the advertisement that students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must still meet the applicable eligibility, academic and programme requirements.

Contact Details for Bursary Enquiries

For general bursary enquiries, applicants can contact:

Email: [email protected] Telephone: 012 065 1022 / 1021

For ICT-related enquiries concerning the application system:

Email: [email protected] Telephone: 012 065 1019

Applicants should use these contact details for legitimate questions about the bursary or technical difficulties with the application system.

Important Application Mistakes to Avoid

Before submitting your application, check that you have:

1. Selected an eligible Disaster Management, Fire Technology or Fire Engineering qualification.
2. Applied to or registered with a recognised public higher education institution.
3. Attached your certified South African ID.
4. Attached your certified Matric certificate.
5. Included your latest academic transcript or statement of results.
6. Included proof of application, acceptance or registration.
7. Met the applicable 60% or 65% academic threshold.
8. Included a CV and appropriate research proposal if applying for Master’s funding.
9. Checked that none of your documents are corrupted or password-protected.
10. Submitted the application through the official online bursary system before 30 September 2026.

Tools you may find useful:

View Other Employment Opportunities here

Need Help?

Edupstairs Advice

The NDMC External Bursary 2027 is particularly relevant to students who want to build careers connected to disaster-risk management, emergency planning, fire safety and related technical disciplines.

The most important step is to confirm that your qualification falls within the fields specified by the NDMC and that you are studying or intend to study at a recognised public higher education institution in South Africa.

Master’s applicants should give themselves additional preparation time because their research proposals must align with the NDMC’s specified research priorities.

Do not wait until 30 September to begin gathering certified documents, academic transcripts and proof of university application or registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When do NDMC Bursary 2027 applications close?

Applications close on 30 September 2026.

1. Who can apply for the NDMC bursary?

The programme is open to qualifying South African citizens pursuing eligible Disaster Management, Fire Technology or Fire Engineering studies at recognised public higher education institutions.

Yes. According to the advertisement, the bursary covers 100% of tuition fees, including registration fees.

1. Does the bursary pay for accommodation?

No. Accommodation is specifically excluded from the advertised bursary coverage.

1. Are books and meals covered?

No. The advertisement excludes accommodation, meals, books and travel costs.

1. What academic average do undergraduate applicants need?

Undergraduate, Postgraduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma applicants need a minimum average of 60% in their latest academic transcript or statement of results.

1. What average do Master’s applicants need?

Master’s applicants need a minimum average of 65%.

1. Is there funding for Master’s research?

Yes. The programme provides a research allowance capped at R11,000 for Master’s students.

1. Can PhD students apply?

No. The advertisement specifically excludes PhD qualifications.

1. Can students studying certificate courses apply?

No. Certificate courses are excluded.

1. Can I submit my application by email?

No. The NDMC states that applications submitted by email will not be considered. Applications must be completed through the online bursary application system.

You can also:

Disclaimer

This article is based on the National Disaster Management Centre External Bursary Advertisement for the 2027 Academic Year. Edupstairs is not the NDMC or the Department of Cooperative Governance and does not administer the bursary or select successful applicants. Applicants should use the official NDMC application portal and verify requirements before submitting their applications.

EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 - 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY

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