Staff Reporter
The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) has extended the closing date for its 2026/2027 Discretionary Grant Funding Window by two weeks, giving stakeholders more time to submit applications after amendments to grant guidelines were approved.
merSETA said the funding window, which was originally scheduled to close on June 29, 2026, will now close on July 13, 2026.
“The extension takes effect immediately and applies to all applicable discretionary grant funding windows.”
It said the decision followed updates to the Discretionary Grant Guidelines and Funding Window Guidelines, which were approved to align with the Department of Higher Education and Training Directive on transitional arrangements.
As part of the amendments, merSETA has adopted a revised policy position on legacy, or pre-2009, qualifications.
“These qualifications may continue to be funded on a controlled transitional basis, provided that funding remains aligned to South African Qualifications Authority-approved extension periods and that enrolments and learner achievements are completed within the prescribed timelines,” it said.
The revised position was aimed at ensuring continued compliance with national regulatory requirements while giving certainty to employers and training providers involved in skills development initiatives.
Organisations and institutions that have already submitted applications may ask for their submissions to be reopened so they can incorporate amendments arising from the revised guidelines.
Applicants who need to amend submitted applications must contact the relevant Management Information Systems Support team. External stakeholders should email missupport@merseta.org.za, while internal stakeholders should email MISTechnical@merseta.org.za.
“Each request will be assessed and facilitated on a case-by-case basis. No manual or informal amendments outside the online application system will be permitted,” merSETA said.
Applicants have been encouraged to visit the merSETA website to access the updated Discretionary Grant Funding Window Guidelines and application information.
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