• Research funding
  • URC funding
  • NRF funding
  • Other national funding
  • International funding
  • Fellowships
  • Funding through contracts
  • Donors & foundations
  • Award nominations
• NRF funding
  • Overview
• Overview

• URC funding
• NRF funding
  • Overview
• Other national funding
• International funding
• Fellowships
• Funding through contracts
• Donors & foundations
• Award nominations

Overview

The Research Office administers the nomination-selection process for funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) on behalf of UCT staff members. If you are a postgraduate student or postdoctoral fellow, go to the Postgraduate Funding section for more information on NRF Funding for postgraduates.

Consult the Announcements page regularly for updated calls and internal deadlines.

Focus Areas Programme

The Focus Area Programme is currently being phased out by the NRF. The decision to phase out this programme followed a lengthy review of the programme which was carried out by the NRF in 2007, and which involved consulting stakeholders at all levels with the Higher Education system. Details of the review and its outcome are available on the NRF website.

The opportunities for funding under this programme will be made available through new programmes offered by the NRF.

International Science Liaison (ISL)

There are two kinds of ISL grants available:

1. Inter-agency grants: Agreements are drawn up between the NRF and its counterparts in numerous countries to facilitate the exchange of research information and personnel.
2. Intergovernmental grants: Agreements are drawn up between the South African government and its counterparts in numerous countries to facilitate the exchange of research information and personnel.

For a full list of the countries with whom we have agreements, please contact Haajirah Esau on 021 650 2431; Haajirah Esau

South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP)

Deadline: 9 May (revised annually)

The research themes addressed through SANAP are concerned with understanding environmental variability to ensure quality of life via sustainable interactions with the earth system that supports human existence and the social context in which humans operate to the benefit of society. The overall objectives of SANAP include the generation of new knowledge, the development of research capacity and the diversification of the researcher community, both in terms of demographic representation and discipline base, and the stimulation of a multidisciplinary understanding of Antarctica that can inform national and international policy and practice.

Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP)

Deadline: 4 August (re-confirmed annually)

The purpose of THRIP is to foster collaboration between industry and higher education institutions, by matching industry contributions to research.

The following funding mechanisms are available:

• Industry partners and THRIP invest jointly in research projects where project leaders are on the academic staff of South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
• THRIP matches investment by industry in innovative research projects where researchers/experts from Science, Engineering and Technology Institutions (SETIs) serve as project leaders and students are trained through the projects.
• Technology Innovation Promotion through the Transfer of People (TIPTOP) schemes promote the mobility of researchers and students between the industrial participants, HEIs and SETIs involved in joint projects.

Thuthuka Programme

Deadline: 23 June (re-confirmed annually)

The Thuthuka Programme is focussed on research capacity development, to improve the qualifications of women, black and disabled researchers and to accelerate the progression of this group into mainstream research support opportunities. Three sub-programmes exist:

• Researchers-in-training
• Women in research
• Research Development Initiative for Black Academics (REDIBA)

Competitive support for unrated researchers

Deadline: 23 June (re-confirmed annually)

The programme is intended to assist unrated researchers who are not eligible to participate in any of the other NRF HICD Programmes, through funding and support, in the development of their research careers. This process is facilitated by supporting, through funding, research that is sustainable, of excellent quality and that adds to relevant bodies of knowledge.

Incentive funding for rated researchers

Deadlines in 2008: June, July and October

The aim of this programme is to incentivise excellent research. Funding is awarded to rated researchers on an annual basis for the duration of their rating. The amount of funding allocated is directly proportional to each researcher’s rating.

Only researchers who hold a valid NRF rating are eligible for this type of support.

National Equipment Programme

Deadline: 2 June (re-confirmed annually)

The Equipment Programme of the NRF comprises two components:

• Capital Equipment Grants: The NRF will publish calls for applications for major capital equipment applications.
• Funding specifically for using nanotechnology.

Society, Ecosystems and Change (SEAChange) Research Programme

Deadline: 30 June (revised annually)

The aim of the SEAChange Programme is to provide cutting-edge research to generate the necessary knowledge that will support management in achieving a healthy and productive marine and coastal environment for the benefit of all current and future South Africans. This programme is structured into four interdependent themes on Ecosystems and Change, Ecosystems and Society, Ecosystem Functioning and Marine Biotechnology.

South African Biosystematics Initiative (SABI)

Deadline: 30 June (revised annually)

SABI aims to develop a representative community of systematic biologists- well supported by government and society- addressing exciting and important issues relevant to South Africa's rich biological heritage. SABI’s funding and its activities are therefore focused around four thrusts including research, education and training, public understanding of science, and infrastructure.

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Contact us

Haajirah Esau
Tel: 021 650 2431

Links

NRF Online Submission System
South African National Antarctic Programme
Thuthuka Programme
THRIP