The National Disaster Management Centre Bursary is accepting applications from qualifying students who plan to study disaster management, fire technology or fire engineering during the 2027 academic year.
The opportunity is offered by the Department of Cooperative Governance through the National Disaster Management Centre, commonly known as the NDMC. It supports selected undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at recognised public higher education institutions in South Africa.
The application deadline has been extended to 30 September 2026 at 23:59. One especially important detail is that the online system does not support Android or Apple mobile devices. Applicants should therefore use a desktop or laptop computer.
This guide explains the qualifications covered, academic requirements, supporting documents and application process in simple language. See section 6 to apply.
Table of Contents
1. What is the National Disaster Management Centre Bursary?
The National Disaster Management Centre Bursary is a government funding opportunity for students pursuing qualifications connected to disaster risk management and fire services.
South Africa regularly faces floods, droughts, veld fires, severe storms and fires in densely populated communities. The country needs trained professionals who can help authorities prepare for emergencies, reduce risks and respond effectively when disasters happen.
Depending on their qualifications, graduates may eventually work in areas such as:
- Disaster risk assessment: Identifying hazards and determining which communities or infrastructure are most vulnerable.
- Emergency planning: Developing plans that help municipalities and organisations prepare for disasters.
- Fire safety and engineering: Designing safer buildings, systems and procedures that reduce fire risks.
- Community resilience: Helping communities prepare for floods, fires, droughts and other emergencies.
- Research and policy: Studying disaster risks and recommending practical improvements to public policy.
The bursary covers 100% tuition fees, including registration. It excludes accommodation, books, meals and travel costs. It includes a research allowance for Master’s students capped at R11 000
Applicants should remember that receiving a relevant qualification does not guarantee employment. However, the programme provides specialised education in a field that affects communities throughout South Africa.
2. Who may apply for the NDMC bursary in 2027?
Applicants must be planning to study at a recognised public higher education institution in South Africa. They must also submit a certified copy of a South African identity document.
The applicant must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Applied for, been accepted for, or registered for an Undergraduate qualification, Postgraduate diploma, Advanced Diploma, or a Master’s full programme in Distater Management, Fire Technology, or Fire Engineering at a recognised Public Higher Education Instituation of South Africa.
Academic performance is an important part of the selection requirements:
- Undergraduate, postgraduate diploma and advanced diploma applicants require a minimum average of 60% in the latest academic transcript or statement of results.
- Master’s applicants require a minimum average of 65% in the latest academic transcript or statement of results.
Meeting these requirements allows a student to apply, but please note it does not automatically guarantee that funding will be awarded.
3. Documents needed for Undergraduate/Postgraduate/Advanced certificates
Applicants must upload their supporting documents in the sequence specified by the NDMC. Preparing everything before opening the application system can make the process much easier.
The required order is:
- Certified South African identity document: The copy should be complete, clear and easy to read.
- Certified Matric certificate: Ensure that important information, including subjects and results, is visible.
- Latest academic record: Submit your most recent results, statement of results or full transcript. The applicable minimum average is 60%.
- Proof of application, acceptance or registration: Use the document that best reflects your current admission status for 2027.
Use descriptive filenames such as “Certified-ID.pdf” or “Academic-Transcript.pdf”. Avoid uploading blurred photographs, incomplete documents or password-protected files that the selection team may not be able to open.
4. Documents needed for Master’s applicants
Applicants must upload their supporting documents in the sequence specified by the NDMC. Preparing everything before opening the application system can make the process much easier.
The required order is:
- Certified South African identity document: The copy should be complete, clear and easy to read.
- Certified Matric certificate: Ensure that important information, including subjects and results, is visible.
- Brief curriculum vitae: This is required only from Master’s applicants and may not exceed two pages.
- Latest academic record: Submit your most recent results, statement of results or full transcript. The applicable minimum average is 65%.
- Proof of application, acceptance or registration: Use the document that best reflects your current admission status for 2027.
- Master’s research proposal: Master’s candidates must submit a proposal based on one of the NDMC’s 16 priority thematic areas.
Use descriptive filenames such as “Certified-ID.pdf” or “Academic-Transcript.pdf”. Avoid uploading blurred photographs, incomplete documents or password-protected files that the selection team may not be able to open.
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5. Further details for Master’s applicants
Master’s candidates have two additional requirements: a 2-page CV and a research proposal aligned with one of the NDMC’s priority research themes.
The themes form part of the National Disaster Risk Management Research Agenda 2023–2030. They include:
- Hazards
- Vulnerabilities/capitals and key drivers
- Governance for DRR
- Capacity building
- Development of tools, systems and approaches for early-warning systems
- Innovation and technology
- Indigenous knowledge
- Climate change and adaptation
- Innovative and nature-based solutions
- Risk-informed developments and building of long-term resilience
- Urban risks
- Streamline response
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Funding and financing of DRR
- Strategic resources
- Event safety
For example, a student could investigate informal-settlement fire risks, community flood-warning systems or the use of local knowledge in drought preparation. These are examples only; the final proposal must be the applicant’s own work.
The research agenda is intended to guide research that can contribute to better disaster-risk planning and stronger communities. Master’s candidates should carefully read the official NDMC research agenda before selecting a subject.
6. How to complete the online application
The NDMC has warned that its application system does not support mobile devices, including both Android and Apple devices. Do not rely on a phone or tablet to submit this application.
Applicants should follow these practical steps:
- Collect, certify and scan all supporting documents.
- Use a reliable desktop or laptop computer.
- Open the official application page.
- Enter personal and academic information accurately.
- Upload the documents in the requested order.
- Check every field and attachment before submitting.
- Save any confirmation page, application number or proof of submission provided by the system.
If you do not own a computer, consider using one at a public library, university computer laboratory, community centre or trusted internet café. Protect your personal information by logging out when finished and removing downloaded identity documents from a shared machine.
Please make sure to visit the bursaries official portal for more information. NDMC Bursary Portal
7. Important checks before submitting
The deadline is 30 September 2026 at 23:59. Applicants should submit as early as reasonably possible because technical problems, power interruptions or missing documents could delay the process.
Before selecting the final submission button, check that:
- Your qualification is eligible.
- Your institution is a recognised South African public institution.
- Your academic average meets the relevant threshold.
- Every document is clear and complete.
- Certified copies contain all required certification details.
- Your contact information is correct.
- Master’s documents comply with the additional requirements.
- Files have been uploaded in the stated sequence.
The public bursary page does not specify the bursary’s monetary value or provide a detailed breakdown of whether it covers tuition, accommodation, books, transport or living expenses. Applicants should not assume that it is automatically a full-cost bursary. Check the official advertisement and any funding agreement received from the NDMC before making financial commitments.
8. Final thoughts
The National Disaster Management Centre Bursary offers a valuable route into fields that play an important role in protecting South African communities. A strong application is not only about having good marks—it must also be accurate, complete and supported by the correct documents.
Use a computer, follow the upload order carefully and submit through the official portal by 30 September 2026 at 23:59.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the National Disaster Management Centre Bursary open for 2027?
Yes. Applications for the National Disaster Management Centre Bursary 2027 are open. The updated closing date is 30 September 2026 at 23:59. Applicants should confirm any further changes on the official NDMC bursary portal.
2. Which courses does the NDMC bursary support?
The bursary supports full undergraduate, postgraduate diploma, advanced diploma and Master’s programmes in:
- Disaster Management
- Fire Technology
- Fire Engineering
Certificate and PhD programmes are excluded.
3. What academic average is required?
Undergraduate, postgraduate diploma and advanced diploma applicants require a minimum academic average of 60%. Master’s applicants require at least 65%.
Meeting the minimum average makes you eligible to apply but does not guarantee that you will receive funding.
4. Can I apply for the NDMC bursary using my cellphone?
No. The NDMC states that its application system does not support Android or Apple mobile devices. Applicants should use a desktop or laptop computer to complete and submit the application.
5. What documents are required for the NDMC bursary?
Applicants must provide:
- A certified copy of their South African ID
- A certified copy of their Matric certificate
- Their latest academic results or transcript
- Proof of application, acceptance or registration
Master’s applicants must also submit a CV of no more than two pages and a research proposal based on one of the NDMC’s 16 priority thematic areas.
6. Does the NDMC bursary cover tuition, accommodation and books?
The bursary covers 100% tuition fees, including registration. It excludes accommodation, books, meals and travel costs. It includes a research allowance for Master’s students capped at R11 000
7. Can I apply before receiving a university acceptance letter?
The document requirements allow applicants to provide proof of application, acceptance or registration. This suggests that you may apply while your university application is still being processed, provided you can submit valid proof that you have applied for an eligible programme.
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