The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA), a Sector Education and Training Authority for South Africa’s mining and minerals sector, invites eligible organisations to apply for Discretionary Grant funding under its Special Projects and Partnerships programme for the 2026/27 financial year.

The programme supports innovative and strategic interventions that address skills shortages, emerging sector needs, technological developments and national priorities. It aims to strengthen collaboration, improve employability, promote entrepreneurship and advance transformation and economic development within the mining and minerals sector.

Funding and Support

Funding may be provided through full funding, co-funding arrangements, cost-sharing partnerships or strategic partnership contributions.

Applicants must submit a detailed project budget demonstrating cost-effectiveness and value for money. The MQA may approve the full amount requested, a reduced amount or no funding.

Funding amount: The advertised call and supplied Terms of Reference do not specify a fixed maximum grant amount per project. All allocations are subject to available funding and MQA approval.

Successful projects receive funding subject to agreed milestones, deliverables, reporting requirements and the signing of the relevant agreement.

Purpose and Objectives

The funding aims to support interventions that:

• Address current and emerging skills development needs in the mining and minerals sector.
• Promote economic recovery, growth, employment and entrepreneurship.
• Strengthen technological capability and innovation.
• Improve access to skills development and employability.
• Advance transformation, inclusive growth and strategic partnerships.
• Respond to national and sector priorities through research-informed interventions.

Priority Areas

Applications must align with at least one of the following MQA focus areas:

Green Skills: Green hydrogen, renewable energy, solar and wind technologies, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, the Just Energy Transition and environmental compliance skills.

Mineral Beneficiation Skills: Mineral processing, critical minerals value chains, downstream beneficiation, manufacturing linked to mining outputs and beneficiation-related skills.

Technological Advancement Skills: Digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, data analytics, smart mining technologies, autonomous mining systems and Fourth Industrial Revolution initiatives.

Rural Economic Development: Skills development in rural communities, community enterprise development, local economic development and livelihood enhancement.

Research and Innovation: Applied research, emerging skills studies, labour market intelligence, occupational forecasting and sector innovation research.

Infrastructure Development: Skills development infrastructure, equipment acquisition, teaching and learning facilities and training infrastructure.

Strategic Integrated High Impact Projects (SIHIP): Collaborative initiatives involving SETAs, government departments, public entities and strategic partners to address critical national skills shortages.

Proposed projects must demonstrate innovation and uniqueness, address a defined skills or sectoral need, and avoid duplicating existing MQA programmes.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are invited from legally registered public and private entities in South Africa, including:

• Private sector companies and registered private entities.
• Government departments, public entities and state-owned entities.
• Universities, Universities of Technology, TVET and CET colleges.
• Research institutions and accredited skills development providers.
• NGOs, NPOs and community-based organisations.
• Industry associations, professional bodies and SETAs.
• Other organisations considered appropriate by the MQA.

Applicants must demonstrate relevant organisational capacity, technical and financial management capabilities, project implementation experience and alignment with MQA priorities.

The Terms of Reference specifies the following project-team criteria:

• The organisation must have at least three years of experience in similar projects.
• The project leader must have five years of experience in running projects.
• At least three team members must have NQF Level 6 qualifications, three years of experience and project management knowledge.

The Terms of Reference also lists proof of Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR) submission as a mandatory evaluation requirement.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a completed and signed MQA application form together with a detailed project proposal and supporting documentation.

The project proposal must explain the background and problem being addressed, objectives, proposed activities, beneficiaries, expected outcomes, implementation plan, sustainability, monitoring and evaluation, risk management and detailed budget.

Supporting documentation includes:

• CIPC or other applicable entity registration documents.
• Tax Compliance Status PIN.
• Proof of banking details.
• Certified identification documents of authorised signatories.
• Latest audited financial statements or an independent review report.
• Proof of physical address.
• Organisational profile.
• Accreditation certificate, where applicable.
• Letters of support, where applicable.
• WSP and ATR submission evidence as specified in the Terms of Reference.

Incomplete applications may be disqualified.

Important Dates

• Application window opened: 26 October 2026 at 08:00.
• Main application deadline: 20 November 2026 at 23:59.
• Further acceptance period: The MQA states that it will continue accepting applications until 28 February 2027, subject to funding availability and applicable programme requirements.
• Financial year: 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.

Applicants should aim to submit by the main deadline. Acceptance after 20 November is not guaranteed because funding availability and programme requirements continue to apply.

Application Process

Applicants should ensure that the application is completed in full and that all required supporting documents are included.

Applications undergo compliance screening, technical evaluation, and due diligence where applicable. Applications are evaluated against criteria including innovation, uniqueness, alignment with MQA objectives, skills gaps, organisational experience, project-team qualifications, cost-effectiveness, socioeconomic impact and implementation planning.

Applications must achieve a minimum score of 70 out of 100 to proceed to due diligence. Funding remains subject to final approval and available budget.

Industry / Sector

Mining and minerals, skills development, education and training, research and innovation, green skills and technological advancement.

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