General FoodBev SETA (Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house via Discretionary Grants — public universities and TVET colleges submit vetted applications on behalf of eligible students)

FoodBev SETA Bursary Programme

The FoodBev SETA Bursary Programme funds South African students linked to the food and beverages manufacturing value chain, through two streams under the same SETA Discretionary Grant process: undergraduate/HEI/TVET funding for unemployed learners (up to R120,000 per candidate) and the Research & Innovation Bursary for Master's (up to R120,000) and PhD (up to R150,000) students. Students do not apply directly — public universities and TVET colleges submit vetted applications on their behalf, so you must approach your institution's bursary office to be included. Funding is delivered through FoodBev SETA's annual Discretionary Grants window and is subject to availability of funds.

Amount:
Undergraduate/HEI/TVET stream: 100% funding of unemployed learner costs up to a maximum of R120,000 per candidate. Research & Innovation stream: Master's students up to R120,000 and PhD students up to R150,000 for the entire duration of studies (subject to evaluation of the approved research topic/proposal).
Deadline:
14 November 2025
Renewable:
Yes
Applications closed
Check back next cycle

Eligible Fields of Study

FoodBev SETA (Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house via Discretionary Grants — public universities and TVET colleges submit vetted applications on behalf of eligible students) supports students in the following disciplines

Engineering (electrical/electronics, mechanical, industrial, instrumental, materials, marine, chemical, skipper)
Food and Nutrition (consumer science, food science, food technology, biotechnology, food production management, food safety, food quality, food systems)
Commerce (accounting, finance, marketing, business studies)
General (production management, packaging and operations management, occupational health and safety, supply chain and logistics, environmental science/health, human resources management, chemistry, information technology)
TVET NATED N4-N6: Business Studies (business/financial/marketing/HR management, management assistant) and Engineering (chemical, electrical, mechanical)
Postgraduate research (PhD and Master's) on the food and beverages manufacturing value chain

Eligibility Requirements

  • ✓ South African citizen or permanent resident
  • ✓ Accepted or registered at a public university or TVET College for the relevant academic year, studying full-time
  • ✓ Undergraduate/TVET/HEI stream: combined parental/guardian annual income less than R650,000 (proof of income required) — demonstrated financial need
  • ✓ Must NOT hold or receive other bursary funding simultaneously; any previous funding must be declared
  • ✓ Research stream: enrolled for a Master's or PhD at a recognised public SA university with an approved/supervisor-endorsed research proposal relevant to the food and beverages manufacturing value chain
  • ✓ Preference given to students from previously disadvantaged groups
  • ✓ Applications are submitted by the institution's bursary office on behalf of eligible students, not by students directly
  • ✓ Supporting documents required: certified ID (not older than 6 months), proof of registration/admission, certified copy of highest qualification, proof of income, and an approved research proposal for the research stream

What's Included

  • ✓ Undergraduate/TVET/HEI bursary covers tuition fees, books, accommodation and meals (where applicable, based on valid proof and accredited accommodation)
  • ✓ Master's research bursary covers registration fees, tuition fees, research costs and study material (up to R120,000)
  • ✓ PhD research bursary covers tuition fees and costs associated with the research undertaken (up to R150,000)
  • ✓ Full-time studies at recognised, accredited South African public universities and TVET colleges
  • ✓ Funding linked to skills development for the food and beverages manufacturing sector

Work Commitment

No formal work-back obligation is specified; the programme is a Discretionary Grant aimed at developing skills for the food and beverages manufacturing sector.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your FoodBev SETA (Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house via Discretionary Grants — public universities and TVET colleges submit vetted applications on behalf of eligible students) bursary application

  1. 1

    Approach your public university or TVET College bursary/financial aid office to confirm your eligibility for FoodBev SETA funding — students cannot apply directly to FoodBev SETA

  2. 2

    Indicate which stream applies to you: undergraduate/HEI/TVET student funding, or the Research & Innovation bursary for Master's/PhD students

  3. 3

    Provide your institution with a certified ID (not older than 6 months), proof of registration/admission and a certified copy of your highest qualification

  4. 4

    Undergraduate/TVET/HEI applicants: supply proof of combined parental/guardian income (must be under R650,000) and declare any previous or current bursary funding

  5. 5

    Research stream applicants: submit a supervisor-endorsed, approved research proposal relevant to the food and beverages manufacturing value chain

  6. 6

    Your institution compiles and submits the vetted application to FoodBev SETA through its annual Discretionary Grants window before the closing date

  7. 7

    Await selection and confirmation, which FoodBev SETA communicates through the participating institution

Required Documents

  • 📄 Certified copy of South African ID document (not older than 6 months)
  • 📄 Proof of registration or letter of admission from a public university or TVET College
  • 📄 Certified copy of highest qualification
  • 📄 Proof of combined parental/guardian income (undergraduate/TVET/HEI stream)
  • 📄 Approved, supervisor-endorsed research proposal (Research & Innovation stream)
  • 📄 Declaration of any previous or current bursary funding

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply directly to FoodBev SETA for this bursary?
No. Students do not apply directly to FoodBev SETA. Public universities and TVET colleges submit vetted applications on behalf of eligible students through the SETA's Discretionary Grants process, so you must approach your institution's bursary or financial aid office to be included in its submission.
How much funding does the FoodBev SETA bursary provide?
The undergraduate/HEI/TVET stream funds up to R120,000 per candidate, covering tuition, books, accommodation and meals where applicable. The Research & Innovation stream funds Master's students up to R120,000 and PhD students up to R150,000 for the full duration of study, subject to evaluation of the approved research proposal.
What are the two streams of the FoodBev SETA bursary?
There are two distinct streams under the same SETA Discretionary Grant process: (1) TVET/HEI undergraduate-to-honours student funding for unemployed learners, and (2) the Research and Innovation Bursary Programme for Master's and PhD students researching the food and beverages manufacturing value chain.
When do FoodBev SETA bursary applications close?
Funding is delivered through FoodBev SETA's annual Discretionary Grants window. The 2026/2027 window closes on Friday 14 November 2025, and the prior 2025/26 window closed on 6 December 2024. Confirm the current window on the official FoodBev SETA student page before applying, as dates change each cycle.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 14 November 2025

Apply on FoodBev SETA (Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house via Discretionary Grants — public universities and TVET colleges submit vetted applications on behalf of eligible students)'s official site

Need help? Contact FoodBev SETA (Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house via Discretionary Grants — public universities and TVET colleges submit vetted applications on behalf of eligible students):

Email: [email protected] (undergraduate/TVET/HEI funding); [email protected] (Research & Innovation postgraduate bursary)

Phone: +27 11 253 7300; Collin Mshayisa 011 253 7322; Mondi Makhubu 011 253 7343

Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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