GreenMatter

About GreenMatter

GreenMatter is a South African non-profit organisation that develops environmental skills and leaders. It grew out of the Biodiversity Human Capital Development Strategy, a 20-year plan launched in 2010. The strategy is co-led by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Lewis Foundation. GreenMatter works as a network of partners, and it is based in Johannesburg.

The main aim is simple. South Africa has rich plant and animal life, yet the sector has too few skilled people who can protect it. In addition, the profession has not always reflected the country's population. GreenMatter tries to close both gaps by helping graduates and early-career professionals move into biodiversity and conservation work.

How GreenMatter supports students

The organisation describes four pillars of work: GM Ignite, GM Talent, GM Path and GM Network. Together they cover early exposure to careers, support for talented students, pathways into work and a community of practice. Its website also lists the GreenMatter Fellowship, Fundisa for Change, Systems Leadership, Imvelisi and a Skills Academy.

The fellowship is the closest thing to a traditional bursary. Earlier calls offered postgraduate funding to South African citizens starting full-time study at Honours, Master's or PhD level. The support combined money for living costs, study fees and research costs with mentoring, career guidance and leadership training. For example, an applicant for a Master's needed an Honours degree, and a PhD applicant needed a Master's.

Fellows also had to explain how their field fits the priority skill areas that GreenMatter sets. As a result, a clear motivation matters as much as good marks. Past partner programmes have also placed graduates in short internships, such as the Young Biodiversity Professionals pilot, to build work experience.

What to know before applying

GreenMatter is not a general bursary fund for school leavers. Its funding has been aimed mainly at postgraduate students in environmental, biodiversity and related fields, and calls have not been open every year. The details of each programme, including fields, amounts and deadlines, are not fixed and may change. Visit the official website for the current round before you plan around any of this.

Prepare your academic record, proof of acceptance into a full-time postgraduate programme and a short motivation that links your research to conservation or sustainability. Strong applicants usually show that they care about practical results as well as marks.

Finally, remember that GreenMatter is a non-profit and does not charge applicants. If any website or message asks you to pay for a fellowship form, treat it with suspicion. Use the contact page on the official site if you need clarity on eligibility or timing.