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Application Guidelines: DG Special Funding Window for the 2026/27 Financial Year Applications- Specific Initiatives

Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (merSETA)Ref: https://www.merseta.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ApplicationGuideline_DG-Special-Funding-Window_Career-Awareness_2026-27.pdf

Official source

Source domain: merseta.org.za

Collected on 30 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 30 July 2026)Official source

What this means

This document is an application guideline for merSETA’s 2026/27 Discretionary Grant (DG) Special Funding Window: Specific Initiatives, focused on expanding nationwide career awareness events in STEM and high-demand occupations within the manufacturing, engineering and related services sector. It sets out who must be targeted (Grades 8–12 learners at technical/comprehensive and special schools, STEM learners, and unemployed TVET learners), who may apply (a range of organisations including CBOs/NGOs/NPOs, private companies, cooperatives, trade unions, HEIs, TVET/CET colleges, accredited providers, and event companies), and mandatory event caps and provincial distribution rules. It also specifies detailed event, venue, audio-visual/power, catering, compliance documentation, and the submission process and deadlines via the NSDMS Projects Portal (29 July 2026 to 14 August 2026).

Facts

Reference

https://www.merseta.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ApplicationGuideline_DG-Special-Funding-Window_Career-Awareness_2026-27.pdf

Key Takeaways

  • Programme: merSETA 2026/27 Discretionary Grant (DG) Special Funding Window – Specific Initiatives
  • Focus: STEM career awareness and occupations in high demand (manufacturing, engineering and related services sector)
  • Target learners: Grades 8–12 (technical/comprehensive high schools), STEM learners, learners with special educational needs (special schools), unemployed TVET learners
  • Eligible applicants: CBOs, NGOs, NPOs, private companies, sole proprietorships, cooperatives, trade unions, HEIs, TVET/CET colleges, accredited skills development providers, event management companies
  • National event pool: 50 events total (25 urban, 25 rural)
  • Applicant cap: max 4 events per applicant; provincial cap: events across no more than 2 provinces per applicant
  • Mandatory new submission rule: previous 2026/27 window (19 Sep 2025–31 Oct 2025) requires a brand-new submission on NSDMS; previous applications not considered
  • Submission portal: NSDMS Projects Portal only; open 29 July 2026; close 14 August 2026
  • Event scale requirement: baseline 1,000 learners and 100 delegates per event (venue engineered for 1,100 occupants)
  • Mandatory compliance documents: CIPC registration, tax clearance/TCS PIN, B-BBEE proof, banking letter, CSD report, detailed cost breakdown, school commitment letters
  • Budget template includes fixed items: 1% contingency and 7.5% management/project execution fee
  • Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA)
  • National Skills Development Plan
  • NSDMS Projects Portal
  • District Department of Basic Education
  • School Governing Body (SGB)
  • Technical and Comprehensive High Schools
  • Special Schools
  • TVET Colleges
  • CET Colleges
  • CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission)
  • South African Revenue Service (implied via Tax Clearance Certificate/TCS verification)
  • B-BBEE Commission (implied via B-BBEE certificate/affidavit requirement)
  • Central Supplier Database (CSD) (National Treasury)
  • Skills Development Facilitator (SDF)
  • Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
  • SANS (emergency signage requirement)
  • Shure
  • Sennheiser

Dates

Closing Date

19 September 2025