What Applicants Should Know (before selection)

 

Who can join? Organisations and experts that provide digital or technical skills training in Nigeria or abroad. You do not need a physical training space. To apply for funding, the lead organisation must be registered and operating in Nigeria.

Can individual experts or organisations registered outside Nigeria apply? Yes, for membership. For Cohort 5 funding, the lead organisation must be registered and operating in Nigeria. Individual experts and organisations based abroad can take part in funding as members of a consortium.

We do not train people. Can we join? Yes. Register your interest under Apply and choose the option that fits you: Opportunity Partner if you are an employer or offer work; Funding Partner if you are a funder, foundation or development bank; Capability Partner if you provide technology, certification, licences or device financing; Research and Data Partner if you are a university, research or data body; State and Agency Partner if you are a state government or agency; or Amplification Partner if you are a media house, creator or alumni group. Hubs that host or train learners apply to the Delivery Network.

What is the difference between Enabled and Funded? Enabled Partners receive 3MTT tools, licences, recognition, and national support to grow their programmes without direct funding (applications are open all year and reviewed every quarter). Funded Partners receive results-based financing to deliver training and drive economic outcomes for learners (Cohort 5 funding applications close on 30 November 2026).

What do you look for?  For membership: registration (CAC for companies and incorporated trustees, the establishing law or approval for a statutory body, or NIN and evidence of teaching for individual experts); details of your founders or directors for verification; a digital or technical skills programme completed within the last 24 months, with evidence of its results; and two references. For Cohort 5 funding, you also need the capacity to train at least 100 Fellows within six months and evidence of employer demand or clear pathways to earning opportunities.

We have delivered for 3MTT before. Do we need to apply? Yes. Every organisation applies through the new portal, including past Applied Learning Centres and partners. The application asks about your previous work with 3MTT, so you can tell us what you delivered.

What if we are not selected for funding? If you meet the membership requirements, you join as an Enabled Partner without reapplying, and your delivery performance is reviewed over time for future funded opportunities.

How does results-based financing work? You agree a cost per Fellow for each training offer. It is paid in stages as 3MTT verifies four results: learning commenced (identity verified, active participation confirmed and baseline assessment completed); verified skills (the Fellow passes the agreed end-of-training assessment); secured opportunity (a job, freelance work or business earning above the national minimum wage); and sustained opportunity (still earning six months later). Training completion alone does not qualify for payment. Funded partners also have access to partner benefits, such as learning licences and credits, as they open.

Which funder will fund us? You do not choose a funder. 3MTT matches selected partners to funding sources based on the application, the review outcome and the criteria of each funder. One partner can deliver for more than one funding source.

Is there an advance payment? Payments follow verified results rather than an advance. The first result, learning commenced, is designed to be quick to reach: once your Fellows are verified, active and have taken the baseline assessment, the first payment is released.

Is there a limit on the cost per Fellow? You propose your cost per Fellow in the application. 3MTT benchmarks costs across applicants and agrees the final cost with shortlisted partners at interview.

What counts as an economic opportunity? A job, internship, freelance work or the Fellow's own business that uses the skills learned and earns above the national minimum wage.

How long does membership last? Twelve months, renewed against your record. Every member assesses at least one cohort on the platform each year.

Can a consortium apply? Yes, for Cohort 5 funding. The lead must be a training organisation registered and operating in Nigeria; it signs the agreement and is responsible for delivery. Employers, other training organisations and partners in Nigeria or abroad can join as members, and the consortium is assessed as a whole against the selection criteria.

Does it cost anything to apply? No. Applying and joining are free, and no one can sell you a place. Report any request for payment to [email protected].

What is the minimum capacity? Funded partners must be able to train at least 100 Fellows within six months.

Do we need a physical space? No. If you have one, a site visit is part of verification for Funded partners. Opening your space free to 3MTT learners is optional and earns a recommended-learning-space listing with priority for partner resources.

Are applications open? Yes. Applications for Cohort 5 funding close on 30 November 2026. Membership of the Delivery Network and the wider 3MTT Partner Network stays open after that date, and membership applications are reviewed every quarter.

Can we apply for membership and funding at the same time? Yes. It is one form. Tick the funding option when you create your profile, and the funding questions open in your application.

How long does the application take? Creating your profile takes less than 10 minutes. The full application takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how ready your documents are. You can save and return at any time.

What information sessions are there? Virtual info and guidance sessions run from 13 to 20 November 2026.

How do I save and return to my application? Use Save and exit. To resume, enter the same work email, then the six-digit code sent to it (valid for 5 minutes; use Request New if it expires).

Where can I see my application status? Sign in with your email and code. The dashboard shows your reference number and status, for example, Under review by the programme team.

What happens after I submit? Review against the selection criteria, then interviews and checks if shortlisted (rolling, 16 November to 4 December). Selected partners are announced on 9 December 2026. 

Can we edit our application after submitting? No. Please review every section before you submit. If the review team needs a change or more information, they will reopen your application and let you know.

Will we get feedback if we are not selected? Yes. Every applicant receives feedback on the outcome of their application.

Do we need to declare relationships with 3MTT staff? Yes. The declarations section asks about any relationship between your owners, directors, trustees or staff and 3MTT staff or officials, and about any other conflict of interest.

How is our data used? We use your information to review your application and run the Delivery Network, in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. The Privacy Policy on the portal explains what we collect, who we share it with and how long we keep it.