Launch date: 10 September 2021 | Deadline date: 8 October 2021
The South African Medical Research Council recently received a generous donation of 100 000 Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Covid-19 IgG/IgM rapid antibody tests through the Alpha and Omega Group (Pty) Ltd, a healthcare innovation company registered in China and South Africa, and Touchroad International Holdings Group, a multinational business engaging in international trade, investment, cultural exchanges, tourism, industrial park development and special economic zone construction. The Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech COVID-19 IgG/IgM test kit received a Section 21 authorisation from SAHPRA in 2020.

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The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), through its Grants, Innovation and Product Development division, and with support from the National Treasury, is pleased to announce a funding opportunity to support research to guide the effective implementation and monitoring of Covid-19 vaccines and address the long-term effects of Covid-19 in South Africa. We invite proposals addressing specific topics around Covid-19 vaccination, including vaccine safety and effectiveness and impact on the epidemic, genomics and immunology, and vaccine uptake and messaging, as well as topics on Covid-19 natural history and impact.

The SAMRC invites researchers from recognised South African public universities, science councils and public research organisations, including the SAMRC’s intra- and extramural units and collaborating centres, to apply.

Click here for more information and to download the relevant documents.

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The CSIR National Laser Centre’s (CSIR NLC) Rental Pool Programme (RPP) is funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). The purpose of the fund is to stimulate and grow laser-based research programmes within the South African research environment, with the object to increase capacity in the National System of Innovation and to support the next generation of researchers through supporting laser-based research infrastructure for research projects. The programme is focussed on supporting laser-related research in all research fields in the natural sciences, engineering and health sciences fields. The fund allows access to equipment for use at the host institution of the applicant or for access to equipment housed at the CSIR NLC facilities.

The CSIR NLC would like to take this opportunity to invite researchers employed at public universities and universities of technology to participate and apply for funding to support their laser-related research requirements in the 2021 academic year. This call allows researchers the opportunity to submit a multi-year project proposal, with a maximum duration of 3 years. Contracting to successful proposers will be done on an annual basis, with continued funding after year 1 of the project subject to the submission and approval of an annual progress report. For Grant holders with an approved multi-year project there is no requirement to re-apply. A detailed progress report is however required to ensure continuation of the project.

The fund makes provision for research related costs including:
1.  Upgrading of existing laser equipment in order to ensure suitability for the proposed project;  
2.  Delivery and set-up charges of equipment received on loan from the CSIR at the university’s facilities;
3.  New equipment (including smaller diagnostic equipment) and laser-related consumables to support the proposed research project;
4.  Maintenance costs for CSIR owned equipment placed at the university's facilities;  
5.  Research and technical support provided by CSIR NLC in support of an approved application.  

Consumables will remain the property of the grant holder and will assist in establishing in-house laser infrastructure. The RPP grant scheme also makes provision for the replacement of older equipment.

The RPP grant scheme is only available to researchers employed at South African universities. The Rental Pool Programme application manual outlines the focus of the scheme, eligibility criteria and review processes. Applications will be evaluated in line with the CSIR policies on equity and redress.

Researchers in all scientific and engineering disciplines using laser technology in their research programmes are encouraged to apply. In the laser-based manufacturing field, applications aligned with the CSIR’s research programmes in Additive Manufacturing and Laser Surface Engineering will receive preference.

CALL OPENS: 20 September 2021
CALL CLOSES: 29 October 2021
DA Sign off: 05 November 2021

Applications must be submitted electronically on the NRF Online Submission System at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za

Applicants must ensure that their Curriculum Vitae are updated on the NRF Online Submission System at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za

PLEASE NOTE:  
Designated Authorities have until 5 November 2021 to validate applications. Institutions must set their own internal closing dates for DAs to validate applications by this date.
The NWU internal closing date for this call is 15 October 2021. (Applications must be submitted on the NRF system on/before this date).
Queries for this call may be directed to Funanani 26720019@nwu.ac.za / 0182994789

Closing date for submitting applications by e-mail: 29 October 2021

Sasol and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are partnering to fund collaborative research grants in Science and Engineering that will contribute to South Africa’s energy transition and green economy. This initiative will also strengthen the collaboration between industry and academia within South Africa in order to enhance research capabilities and capacity.

Proposals should be submitted by email to sasolgrants@sasol.com. The deadline for the submission of proposals is Friday, 29 October 2021. Successful Sasol-NRF applications will be funded from January 2022.

Click here to view the relevant documents.

THIS CALL IS ONLY OPEN TO APPLICANTS FROM UNIVERSITIES

NO late applications will be accepted after the closing date above
Contact persons:
NRF  
Dr Zolani Dyosi
Email: Z.Dyosi@risa.nrf.ac.za
 
Sasol  
Dr Pheladi Mohlala
pheladi.mohlala@sasol.com  

The deadline for this call is 29 October 2021.
Queries for this call may be directed to Funanani 26720019@nwu.ac.za / 0182994789

Designated Authority Closing Date: 13 October 2021

New Earth Observation Frontiers (NEOFrontiers) is an innovation funding mechanism established by the South African Space Agency (SANSA) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF). It seeks to stimulate collaboration, cooperation, and innovation in the South African Earth Observation community, both public and private. The NEO Frontiers funding opportunity is envisaged as a collaborative yet competitive funding mechanism for developing capabilities around new products & services, and value-added components.

This call is to allow the submission of new proposals by applicants who had previously missed the opportunity to apply. The applicants who have already submitted their proposals to the NRF for this call need not re-submit again.

The NEOFrontiers Product Development (Support Action 2020/1 and Domain Action 2020/1) and  Innovation Support (Support Action 2021/2 and Domain Action 2020/1) closing date will be 13 October 2021.

Successful NEOFrontiers applications will be funded from January 2022.

NO late applications will be accepted after the closing dates above.

The NWU internal closing date for this call is 1 October 2021. (Applications must be submitted on the NRF system on/before this date).
Queries for this call may be directed to Funanani 26720019@nwu.ac.za / 0182994789

Funding rules related queries  
Ms Zodwa Masinga
Professional Officer: KAS
Tel: 012 481 4310
Email: ZM.Masinga@risa.nrf.ac.za 

Application process related queries
Ms Jane Mabena
Professional Officer: GMSA
Tel: 012 481 4067
Email : JS.Mabena@risa.nrf.ac.za  

The BRICS STI Framework Programme aims to support excellent research on priority areas which can best be addressed through a multinational approach. The initiative should facilitate cooperation among the researchers and institutions in the consortia which consist of partners from at least three of the BRICS countries. As part of the initiative the following 12 research funding agencies from the BRICS countries have agreed to jointly establish a new scheme for funding multilateral collaborative research consortia for 2022 – 2024 years.

1. Brazil: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)
2. Russia: Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MSHE)
3. India: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Department of Science and Technology (DST)
4. China: Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
5. South Africa: Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), National Research Foundation (NRF), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the Water Research Commission (WRC)

The NRF will support interdisciplinary research projects submitted only within the following 5 BRICS themes:
-  Transient astronomical events and deep survey science.
-  HPC and big data for sustainable development: solving large scale ecological, climate and pollution problems.
-  Materials science and nanotechnology for addressing environmental, climate change, agricultural, food and energy issues.
-  Renewable energy, including smart grid integration.
-  Ocean and polar science and technology.

South African researchers interested in submitting applications within the other five BRICS themes should apply directly to the other South African funders mentioned above.

Applicants must submit their pre-proposals (mandatory) directly to the BRICS Call Secretariat. The Project Coordinator must submit the pre-proposal Joint Application Form (JAF) to the BRICS Call Secretariat through the online BRICS STI Framework Programme Application Management System (BRICS AMS) at http://ams.rfbr.ru/BRICS. The JAF must be completed in English. Only 1 JAF should be submitted per project consortium.

The NRF Online Submission System (https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/) will be open only to those researchers who have been approved to submit a full proposal.  
 
Key dates:
Pre-proposal deadline to the BRICS Call Secretariat is Thursday,  4 October 2021, 15:00 Moscow Time (UTC+3)

Applicants who will be able to submit full proposals, will be notified when the call opens. The deadline for DA submission to the NRF is Monday, 28 February 2022, 23:59:59 hours SAST
-  South African researchers must consult their institutions for internal closing dates.
-  Applications received after the abovementioned closing dates will not be considered for review and for funding by both the BRICS Call Secretariat and the NRF.

Applicants are encouraged to follow the link: http://brics-sti.org/?p=new/30 for further details on the application process (including the NRF eligibility criteria and funding regulations).
 
NRF Contacts:
Ms Nombuso Madonda
Knowledge Advancement and Support (KAS)
Tel: +27 12 481 4285
Email: NP.Madonda@risa.nrf.ac.za

Call for citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Namibia and Mauritius is open until 15 December 2021.

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or PhD.

Three different types of fully funded scholarships are offered starting in September 2022 in all academic fields:

1. PhD Scholarships
   - The scholarship is valid for 12 months and renewable for a maximum of 3 years
   - Applicants should have a master’s degree or equivalent university degree recognised by a Swiss University.
   - The applicant must not be older than 35 years at the time of application (born after 31 December 1986)
    
2. Postdoctoral Scholarships
   - The scholarship is valid for 12 months and renewable for a maximum of 6 months.
   - The applicants should have a PhD degree.
   - There cannot be a gap of more than 5 years between the award of the PhD and the application deadline (PhD degree achieved after 31 December 2018 and before 31 July 2022)
    
3. Research Scholarships
   - The scholarship is intended for highly qualified postdoctoral researchers from all academic fields as well as young medical doctors.
   - The scholarship is valid for 12 months maximum and non-renewable.
   - The applicant should have a master’s degree or equivalent
   - The applicant must not be older than 35 years at the time of application (born after 31 December 1986)

The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students assesses scholarship applications according to three criteria:

a) Candidate profile
b) Quality of the research project or artistic work
c) Synergies and potential for future research cooperation

Funding from the Swiss Confederation
The following expenses are funded through the scholarships:

• Stipend: Postdoctoral research: CHF 3500/month
• Stipend: PhD and Research scholarship: CHF 1920/month
• Mandatory Swiss health insurance
• One-time lump sum of CHF 300.- with the first grant payment to help for payment of the housing deposit.
• Flight allowance (lump sum) for a ticket back to their country of origin (provided at the end of the scholarship).
• One-year half-fare public transportation card.

For more information, please visit: www.sbfi.admin.ch/scholarships_eng and www.studyinswitzerland.plus

To enquire the full application package, please contact the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa by email: pretoria.science@eda.admin.ch

The 2nd Universities South Africa (USAf) Higher Education Conference, conducted in collaboration with the Council on Higher Education (CHE), will take place from 6 - 8 October 2021.

This conference will provide a platform for thought leadership, debates, deliberation and shared understanding among senior academics, researchers, the executive leadership of public universities, government, business and civil society.

The conference is a no-cost event, open for online attendance by university staff, students and stakeholders. Early registration is advised.

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has endorsed the conference as a key national event for the sector.

Read more: https://www.usaf.ac.za/registration-is-now-open-for-delegates-wishing-to...

Registration Link:
https://helm.ac.za/2nd-national-higher-education-conference-registration/

SACAIR2021 will be hosted from 6 to 10 December 2021 at the Simbithi Country Club, Simbithi Eco-Estate, Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu-Natal.

SACAIR2020 is the third international conference focused on Artificial Intelligence hosted by the Centre for AI Research (CAIR) – and the second to be held under the SACAIR brand.

The programme includes an unconference for students on 6 December 2021 (a student-driven event for students to interact with each other as well as with sponsors and other possible employers), a day of tutorials on 7 December 2021 and the main conference from 8 – 10 December 2021.

View the following:

• Call for papers
• Call for participation: SACAIR2021 Unconference Symposium
• Call for participation: Shared Task/Hackathon Challenge

Herewith the guidelines and application form for funding made available in support of the completion of master's and doctoral degrees of NWU staff members.

Target Group: full-time, permanently employed / fixed-term appointments with benefits, registered for a first master's/doctoral degree, who has not received this previously for the same degree/level and with the intension to submit for examination in 2021.

Kindly note that funds will have to be spend in the funding year i.e. 2021. Unspent funds will be written back and accounts will be closed. If this is not achievable, applications should rather be submitted in the following round (2022).

The signed application form, after obtaining all relevant signatures, should be returned to the Research Support Office (Mr Melvin Mothoa) as soon as possible.

Click here to read more.

Kindly receive this call for a three-day contact session postgraduate supervision workshop of emerging and established researchers who are currently or looking to supervise M & D students.
Priority will be given to first-time applicants and candidates with <3 years supervision experience. The workshops are scheduled as follow:

• Potchefstroom Campus: 19 - 21 October 2021

Interested applicants should forward their application forms to Research Support Department (Mr Phathizwe Gwebu on Email 25520245@nwu.ac.za ) as soon as possible.

Click on the links below to see the current open grants.

• #1
• #2

Kindly receive this call for funding (maximum R40 000/applicant) made available in support of the enhancement of research profiles of emerging and established researchers/academic staff members - specifically to obtain / improve their NRF rating status in the near future.

Priority will be given to first-time applicants and candidates with the intent to apply in the upcoming round (Feb 2022) after which those aiming at subsequent rounds (Feb 2023 and 2024) will be considered.
 
The signed application form, after obtaining all the relevant signatures, should be submitted to the Research Support Department (MPE Meintjes) as soon as possible.

Research Support, in collaboration with Kerlick Editorial & Research Solutions will again be hosting the popular Research Publication Retreats/Workshops for staff members of the NWU during 2021.
Please find attached the following documents:

• An Overview, which describes the Kerlick workshops available during 2021;
• The 2021 Schedule with dates of all the workshops that will be presented during 2021: Three introductory Workshop A’s and five Workshop B article-writing retreats have been planned. (Workshop B can be attended only by participants who have already attended a Workshop A.)
• Background details of the Kerlick Facilitators;
• An Application Form; you may apply to participate at any time, as early as you wish. After receiving the application form, the workshop coordinator will send you further details, as well as a registration form for completion to confirm your intention to attend the workshop. (This application and confirmation process forms the basis for our planning.)
• A Poster with relevant dates

The introductory Workshop A’s will be conducted virtually, via Zoom.

The Workshop B retreats will either be conducted via Zoom or face-to-face at campus venues, depending on the levels of interest on the different campuses and on the number of participants. The venue for each Workshop B will be confirmed at a later stage. In the case of venue-based face-to-face retreats, you are welcome to attend on any campus where the workshop is presented - irrespective of where you are stationed. However, travel and accommodation expenses will be for your own account.

If you would like to attend any of the scheduled workshops, please send the completed application form as soon as possible to Mr Melvin Mothoa

• Workshop B-3: 27 September - 1 October 2021
  Due date for submission of Application Form: 30 August 2021
  Due date for submission of confirmatory Registration Form & Advance Preparation: 10 September 2021
   
• Workshop B-4: 25 - 29 October 2021
  Due date for submission of Application Form: 27 September 2021
  Due date for submission of confirmatory Registration Form & Advance Preparation: 8 October 2021
   
• Workshop B-5: 15 - 19 November 2021
  Due date for submission of Application Form: 11 October 2020
  Due date for submission of confirmatory Registration Form & Advance Preparation: 29 October 2021

Please note: The same process is followed for applying and confirming attendance at all the 2021 article-writing workshops. You will need to confirm your intention to attend the workshop after returning the application form, and then submit the applicable advance preparation (either for Workshop A or for Workshop B) on or before the deadline. You will receive details after you have completed and submitted your application form.

The DSI and NRF are pleased to announce a call of new applications for NRF postgraduate student funding for the 2022 academic year. All continuing students who are eligible for a second or third year of funding must submit a progress report and not a new application.

The NRF minimum academic requirement for postgraduate funding is 65%. The entry age requirement is 28, 30 and 32 years or younger for honours, master’s and doctoral studies respectively, in the year of application, regardless of first year of registration. Successful applicants will be funded either at Full Cost Study (FCS) or  Partial Cost of Study (PCS). The FCS funding will be awarded to South African citizens and permanent residents only, who are either financially needy (i.e., those whose combined household family income is less or equal to R350 000 per annum), living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers. However, the PCS funding will be awarded to 5% of international students including South African citizens and permanent residents who could not be funded under FCS but meet other minimum requirements for the NRF scholarship funding criteria. Scholarships are intended to support honours, master’s and doctoral candidates to pursue studies in all areas of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

The NRF has phased out the block grant nomination process as well as the grant-holder linked modalities of funding postgraduate students in 2020. All the postgraduate students will be expected to apply on the NRF Online Submission System by accessing the link: https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/. No manual applications will be accepted.

Students’ applications closing date: Universities will set their own internal cut-off dates for students’ applications and the applicants must abide by those dates.

Please refer to the application and funding guide, framework documents and frequently asked questions when completing the online application form at every step of the process.

For enquiries, applicants’ are encouraged to contact the research or postgraduate offices at their universities. Should there still be a need to contact the NRF, below are the contact persons and details: 

For general honours related enquiries, please contact:  
Mr Lehlogonolo Phaahla: Professional Officer – HICD
Tel: 012 481 4315
Email: lehlogonolo.phaahla@nrf.ac.za
 
NB: Queries for honours and master's scholarships may be directed to Boitumelo Mdluli: 34421025@nwu.ac.za / 0182994892

Applications are submitted online on the NRF System by accessing the link: https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/

The table below indicates the submission dates of applications:

NRF POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2022

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On 8 February 2021 the NRF announced the Call for Proposals for 2021/22, including the call for funding for the Thuthuka and the Black Academics Advancement Programme (BAAP) for emerging researchers for the 2022 academic year.

The NRF hosted two virtual briefing meetings for the Thuthuka and the Black Academics Advancement Programme (BAAP). There was an overwhelming request to share the presentation with participants, which focuses on the application requirements and the application and review process for these two funding opportunities.

The Framework, Funding and Application Guide documents as well as the General Application Guide are available on the NRF website at https://www.nrf.ac.za/funding/framework-documents. Applications must be submitted electronically on the NRF Online Submission System at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za.

For enquiries please contact:
Ms Maphuti Madiga, Professional Officer: Human and Infrastructure Capacity Development (HICD), at telephone: (012) 481 4150 or email: maphuti.madiga@nrf.ac.za

NIH funding opportunities for which foreign organisations, foreign components of US organisations and/or other foreign components may apply:

• NEI Collaborative Clinical Vision Research:
  Research: Chair's Grant (UG1-Clinical Trial Required) (PAR-21-041)
  Research Project: Coordinating Center Grant (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) (PAR-21-042)
  Project: Resource Center Grant (UG1- Clinical Trial Required) (PAR-21-043)

  Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
   

• Clinical Validation of a Candidate Biomarker for Neurological or Neuromuscular Disorders (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-21-058) and (U44 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-21-059)
  Application Receipt Dates: 22 June 2021, and more

  Note: Foreign collaborations that can increase the biomarker utility or uptake are encouraged, but must be clearly justified.
   

• Biological Testing Facility (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-21-078)
  Application Receipt Dates: 14 January 2022, 15 July 2022
   
• Basic and Clinical Cancer Research:
  Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-CA-21-003)
  Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-CA-21-004)
  Innovative Biospecimen Science Technologies (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-CA-21-005)
  Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Biospecimen Science Technologies (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-CA-21-006)

  Application Receipt Date: 29 September 2021

The Belgian agency VLIR-UOS has launched the new call for scholarships for master programmes for the academic year 2021-2022. Candidates from 31 scholarship countries can apply. 

The application for academic admission and the scholarship (combined application) should be send to the Flemish universities directly (not to VLIR-UOS!). In case of any questions regarding the selection procedure, interested candidates should therefore address the university where they wish to follow one of the available master programme. Questions concerning the scholarship can be directed to info@vliruos.be.

All students who received funding for master’s or doctoral degrees need to provide the NRF with information regarding their completed degree, as stated in the M&D agreement form that all grant holders sign before the NRF funds are released.