merSETA 2025/26 Discretionary Grants Special Funding Application for South Africans. The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) hereby invites relevant stakeholders to apply for discretionary grants for the 2025/26 Financial Year (Special Funding Window).
Only applications for training initiatives to be implemented within the 2025/26 financial year period (for the remainder of this financial period from date of the grant award) will be considered. This special funding window is designed to support initiatives that address national and sectoral skills development needs, as outlined below:
| No. | Project/Indicator | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sector research agreements signed for TVET growth and occupationally directed programmes. | Detailed Terms of Reference attached:Â |
| 2 | Rural development projects supported through skills development. | Detailed Terms of Reference attached: |
| 3 | District Development Model Strategic Projects. | Detailed Terms of Reference attached: |
In addition, preference will be given to applications from the following stakeholder groups:
a) For project/indicator 1 – TVET Colleges (with rural campuses)
b) For project/indicator 1 – SMMEs (mer-sector related)
c) For project/indicator 2 – Skills Development Providers
d) For project/indicator 3 – Government departments.
Mandatory Compliance Documents
a) Proof of company registration.
b) Valid Tax Clearance Certificate – must not have expired.
c) Valid B-BBEE Certificate or a sworn B-BBEE affidavit, where applicable.
d) Signed MoU between SMME and Rural TVET colleges (for SMME applicants)
e) Signed MoU between Rural TVET college and Company (for Rural TVET college applicants)
Failure to submit any of the above-listed documents will result in the disqualification of the application.
How to Apply?
a) All project/indicator 1 applications must be submitted through the National Skills Development Management System (NSDMS) via the Projects Portal Platform  before the closing date. Note: Registration of a new organisation and SDF on the NSDMS takes at least 48 hours.
b) All project/indicator 2 applications for Rural Development project proposals must be submitted via email to [email protected]
c) And all project/indicator 3 applications for District Development Model (DDM) proposals must be submitted via email to [email protected]
d) The funding window opens on 18 August 2025 and closes on 25 August 2025.
e) The merSETA reserves the right to request supplementary information where applicable. All applicants will be given seven (7) working days to submit the information or address any queries that the merSETA may have concerning the applications submitted. Failure to submit the supplementary information requested within the stipulated period will result in disqualification.
f) The due date for submission will not be extended. Any late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
g) No email applications will be accepted for project/indicator 1: Sector research agreements signed for TVET growth, occupationally directed programmes.
Opening Date: 18 August 2025 | Closing Date: 25 August 2025
