Funding Resources for Western Cape Small Satellites Researchers
This page is designed as a resource for researchers from the Western Cape. Here you can find the different funding agencies pages where calls will be published. Also on this page are opportunities for mobility funding, both incoming and outgoing, funding for training young researchers, and fellowship and scholarship opportunities for PhD and graduate students from Western Cape who want to study in the other RLS regions.
Multilateral Funding for International Projects
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ESASTAP 2020 | European Union and the Department of Science and Technology, South Africa
According to the European Commission, Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) – in addition to the private investment that this money will attract. It promises more breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by taking great ideas from the lab to the market. EU member states are automatically eligible to compete for funding. Non-EU RLS partners can participate in Horizon 2020 either by providing a unique competence that cannot be found in the EU, or through bilateral agreements between their home countries and the European Union. Every RLS member state has these types of agreements. In South Africa, this agreement is called ESASTAP 2020. ESASTAP 2020, the successor funding scheme to ESASTAP Plus, was launched in February 2016. The funding scheme provides opportunities for EU-South African cooperation in science and technology, with dedicated funding calls. Learn more about ESASTAP 2020 here. |
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Horizon 2020 Seed Funding | European Union and the Department of Science and Technology, South Africa
One of the key challenges potential South African Horizon 2020 participants have to meet is finding partners and financial support to fund international travel to meet and discuss potential Horizon 2020 projects with European partners. Cognisant of the difficulties sometimes posed to South African researchers in joining consortia for Horizon 2020 participation, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) created a "Seed Funding Instrument." Under the Seed Funding Instrument, the DST is able to support the travel costs of South African researchers travelling to Europe to engage with European partners regarding Horizon 2020 collaboration. Alternatively funding can be granted to support the travel of European researchers to South Africa. Learn more about ESASTAP 2020 here. |
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ACP Science and Technology Programme | European Union and the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States
The ACP Science and Technology Programme (ACP S&T) is an ACP-EU co-operation programme in the field of science and technology. It is funded by the European Union and implemented by the ACP Secretariat. The main three themes are agriculture, energy, and the environment, but other topics are accepted as well. Visit the programme website here. |
Bilateral Funding for International Projects
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International Graduate Research Training (IRTG) | National Science Foundation of South Africa and German Research Foundation (DFG)
Open Call: Draft proposals can be submitted by the German host university throughout the year. It is advisable to consult with DFG on the timing of submission. Draft proposals must be submitted via the DFG. Full proposals can be submitted after positive evaluation of the draft proposal. Proposals are due no later than 1 October each year in parallel by the German host university to DFG and by the South African coordinator/university to the NRF, and in accordance with the respective funding organisations’ guidelines. Value: The total available funds for 1 IRTG from the South African side are R10 million for one funding phase (4 years). This budget envelope makes provision for R5.4 million for PhD positionsat R120 000 per student per annum, with the rest of the funds (R4.6 million) tobe utilised for all other activities mentioned above at the discretion of the research Professors (i.e. supervisors). Funding can be renewed once, for a total of 9 years. International Research Training Groups (IRTGs) are structured doctoral programmes run by German universities in conjunction with universities or research institutions abroad. As bilateral collaborations, they train scientists and academics at different stages of their careers, with a particular emphasis on doctoral researchers. IRTGs promote systematic research cooperation through joint research and qualification programmes as well as through cooperative cross-border supervision of doctoral researchers. IRTGs can only be established by a university, university of technology or an equivalent higher education institution which has the legal right to confer doctoral degrees (hereafter referred to as “Higher Education Institutions –HEIs”). Project-specific costs of the German university are funded through a grant of DFG. The IRTG’s partner institution abroad has to provide complementary funding acquired from a national source. The South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and DFG have agreed on a joint application/funding scheme to support South African-German International Research Training Groups Applications for IRTGs are open to all subject areas, and interdisciplinarity in joint projects is encouraged. An IRTG should be run by two small teams of Professors in Germany and in South Africa respectively. Each team should have approximately 5 to 10 members with proven expertise both in the IRTG’s main research topic and in providing outstanding supervision to doctoral students. The participating researchers’ expertise at the two locations should be complementary and provide added value to the IRTG. Each team of Professors in an IRTG should be based at a single HEI in Germany and South Africa respectively. In convincingly justified cases, an IRTG may be proposed by more than two HEIs The programme should provide for regular exchanges of academic staff and doctoral students for the purposes of joint research and training. Doctoral students should spend a period of at least 6 months (and up to 1 year) in total during their PhD project at the respective partner institution for research and training and each doctoral student should have both a German and South African supervisor. On the German side, approximately10 to 15 doctoral researchers will be funded within a single IRTG in parallel. The partner site in South Africa should support a group of doctoral researchers of the same size As an additional support mechanism, both the DFG and the NRF will make funds available to support preparatory meetings for IRTG applications. The total available funds for 1 IRTG from the South African side areR10mil for one funding phase (i.e. 4years). This budget envelope makes provision for R5.4mil for PhD positions at R120 000 per student per annum, with the rest of the funds (R4.6mil) to be utilised for all other activities mentioned above at the discretion of the research Professors (i.e. supervisors). The German-South African consortium will firstly need to submit a joint IRTG draft proposal to the DFG, submitted by the German host university. DFG will evaluate this draft proposal according to established procedures for IRTGs. DFG will inform the NRF of the results of the evaluations, and only positively evaluated proposals will be invited to submit a joint full proposal. Invited full proposals are then submitted in parallel by the German host university to DFG and by the South African coordinator/university to the NRF. Submission must be in accordance with the respective funding organisation’s guidelines and through the established submission systems. For new South African-German IRTG initiatives, DFG and the NRF provide for the possibility to support a workshop for the preparation of an IRTG proposal. Funding can be granted only if research cooperation is already established and plans for the IRTG have already been consolidated. The workshop funding may either be applied for prior to the draft proposal submission, or –after positive evaluation of the draft proposal prior to submission of the full proposal. From the South African side the NRF will support the South African researchers’ participation at a maximum amount of R50 000 for 1 workshop per IRTG. The preparatory workshop can be held in either South Africa or in Germany. Please note that the NRF will fund a workshop provided that the workshop has also been approved by DFG. Therefore, from the South African side, application for the preparatory workshop must be accompanied by a letter from the DFG confirming that the workshop has also been approved and will be supported from the German side. Learn more here. |
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South Africa/Austria Joint Scientific and Technological Cooperation | Department of Science and Technology (South Africa) and the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy (Austria)
(Please note this call has now closed) The programme for Scientific & Technological Cooperation is carried out in the frame of the bilateral “Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Science and Technology of the Republic of South Africa and the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy of the Republic of Austria on Scientific and Technological Cooperation” and is financed equally by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy (BMWFW) and by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST). See the call here. |
Unilateral Funding for International Projects
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National Research Foundation | South Africa
The NRF provides support and grants for research, expertise development, education, training, cooperative research, bursaries, national and international scientific liaison, and administers five national research facilities. See the NRF Calls. |
Incoming Mobility Funding
Bringing RLS-Sciences colleagues to Western Cape
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São Paulo Researchers in International Cooperation (SPRINT) | São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
(please note SPRINT is currently closed due to the global public health situation) Value: dependant on proposal, please see below The objective of the SPRINT programme is to promote the engagement of researchers affiliated to institutions of higher education and research in the State of São Paulo in partnership with researchers abroad in order to: 1) further develop qualitatively the ongoing research projects; and 2) work cooperatively aiming at the elaboration of joint research projects of medium and long term, for submission to FAPESP, by researchers from the State of São Paulo, and to the research funding agencies in the countries of corresponding partners, by their colleagues. SPRINT provides funding for the initial phase of international research collaborations with clear expectations that the next phase will be a presentation, by the researchers from the State of São Paulo, of research proposals in the regular funding lines of FAPESP aiming to continue the research started under SPRINT and the consequently consolidation of the partnership. Foreign partners must provide their own funding through the appropriate partner agencies. Selected projects must last between 12 and 24 months. Joint petitioners should submit their proposals in both countries, using the appropriate forms supplied by the respective agencies. Each proposal will initially be analyzed by the agency in the country of its origin. Selected proposals will then be evaluated by a panel of FAPESP and representatives of the South African institution. There are four calls each year. The deadlines for the submission of proposals in each round will be determined annually and will always be on the last Monday of each following month: January, April, July, and October. Regularly, proposals may only be submitted for mobility of researchers from the State of São Paulo and from institutions abroad that hold cooperation agreements with FAPESP. However, in this call FAPESP will also accept proposals from researchers whose partners are from institutions with which FAPESP does not have a current agreement or with which FAPESP has current agreements but whose institutions are not joining the current SPRINT edition. Review the call here. Review the SPRINT Guidelines here (please note you will need to scroll down past the lists of partner institutions). |
Bringing RLS-Sciences students to Western Cape
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International Internships Programme| Fonds de recherche du Québec- Nature et technologies
(Please note this call is currently closed) Value: The scholarship is an allowance of $ 2,500 CAD per month. The maximum value of a scholarship or both of the scholarships is $ 15,000 CAD. Duration: 2 to 6 months *Please note, that only Québec students may apply to do an internship in Western Cape The FRQNT's (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies) international internship aims to foster international mobility of students whose research activities are part of the scientific program of a strategic cluster funded by the FRQNT. The internship is a supplementary tool available to a strategic cluster to strengthen its position at the international level through research projects and partnerships that have already been established or which are under development. Applicants The international internship is intended for Master's or doctoral students enrolled full-time in a Quebec university or in an university outside Québec who meets the requirements of their program. The proposed research outlined in the application as part of the internship must be part of the scientific program of the strategic cluster. In a first step, the strategic cluster recommends a candidate and then the candidate can apply for the scholarship. Find the list of Strategic Clusters here. Eligibility conditions All of the strategic clusters supported by the FRQNT may submit an application to this program. The applicant proposed by the strategic cluster must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed here after. For full-time students enrolled in a Québec university: The applicant must have Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status in Canada, or foreign student status with a valid study permit to study in Quebec. For foreign students enrolled in an university outside Québec: The applicant must have valid study permits or visas for the entire duration of the internship. The applicant can't be enrolled in a co-degree from more than one institution including a Québec university. For the students enrolled in a co-degree see the rules of the Frontenac program. Location of the internship: The internship must take place outside Quebec for students enrolled in a Quebec university. The internship must occur in Quebec for students from abroad. Start date of the internship: The internship must start no later than September 30th, 2020. Restrictions: Students who are jointly supervised by a researcher in a foreign university (co-degree) are not eligible to apply for an international internship scholarship to visit one of their home universities Application process Candidates interested within this program must file their application within their strategic cluster (see list on FRQNT's Web Site) Validate the list of documents required for this application with the specific strategic cluster. The strategic clusters which recommend a candidate must fill the specific form available on FRQNT's Web site as well as transmit it electronically. The form includes the complete addresses of the student, the academic supervisor, and the internship supervisor. A brief description of the nature of the internship is also required. The strategic clusters must also submit the selection committee report that states the results for each of the three criteria in effect, the assessment process and the names of the committee members. This report should briefly explain the efforts taken to ensure a fair and inclusive selection process, thus fostering the support of diversified interns.The strategic clusters must also send in the electronic form, a letter signed by the supervisor of the student specifying the start and end dates of the internship. Any internship application must be filed by the strategic cluster and approved by the FRQNT before the leaving of the trainee. Limited number of applications Each strategic cluster may generally submit up to two applications until the contest deadline. In no case should the total financial assistance of the two candidates exceed the total amount of $ 15,000. This limit can be re-examined and increased at all time until the contest deadline. Each strategic cluster can propose the application one foreign students enrolled outside Québec maximum, so they can pursue their internship within the strategic cluster in Québec The rules are the same for evaluating the candidate, the duration of his or hers internships and the value of the scholarship apply. The application of a foreign student enrolled outside Québec doesn't modify the total limit of two candidates and the total amount of 15 000$ per cluster. Learn more here. |
Outward Mobility Funding
Visiting RLS-Sciences colleagues outside of Western Cape
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São Paulo Researchers in International Cooperation (SPRINT) | São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
(please note SPRINT is currently closed due to the global public health situation) Value: dependant on proposal, please see below The objective of the SPRINT programme is to promote the engagement of researchers affiliated to institutions of higher education and research in the State of São Paulo in partnership with researchers abroad in order to: 1) further develop qualitatively the ongoing research projects; and 2) work cooperatively aiming at the elaboration of joint research projects of medium and long term, for submission to FAPESP, by researchers from the State of São Paulo, and to the research funding agencies in the countries of corresponding partners, by their colleagues. SPRINT provides funding for the initial phase of international research collaborations with clear expectations that the next phase will be a presentation, by the researchers from the State of São Paulo, of research proposals in the regular funding lines of FAPESP aiming to continue the research started under SPRINT and the consequently consolidation of the partnership. Foreign partners must provide their own funding through the appropriate partner agencies. Selected projects must last between 12 and 24 months. Joint petitioners should submit their proposals in both countries, using the appropriate forms supplied by the respective agencies. Each proposal will initially be analyzed by the agency in the country of its origin. Selected proposals will then be evaluated by a panel of FAPESP and representatives of the South African institution. There are four calls each year. The deadlines for the submission of proposals in each round will be determined annually and will always be on the last Monday of each following month: January, April, July, and October. Regularly, proposals may only be submitted for mobility of researchers from the State of São Paulo and from institutions abroad that hold cooperation agreements with FAPESP. However, in this call FAPESP will also accept proposals from researchers whose partners are from institutions with which FAPESP does not have a current agreement or with which FAPESP has current agreements but whose institutions are not joining the current SPRINT edition. Review the call here. Review the SPRINT Guidelines here (please note you will need to scroll down past the lists of partner institutions). |
Sending students to RLS-Sciences students outside of Western Cape
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International Internships Programme| Fonds de recherche du Québec- Nature et technologies
(Please note this call is currently closed) Value: The scholarship is an allowance of $ 2,500 CAD per month. The maximum value of a scholarship or both of the scholarships is $ 15,000 CAD. Duration: 2 to 6 months *Please note, that Bavarian students must complete their internships in Québec The FRQNT's (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies) international internship aims to foster international mobility of students whose research activities are part of the scientific program of a strategic cluster funded by the FRQNT. The internship is a supplementary tool available to a strategic cluster to strengthen its position at the international level through research projects and partnerships that have already been established or which are under development. Applicants The international internship is intended for Master's or doctoral students enrolled full-time in a Quebec university or in an university outside Québec who meets the requirements of their program. The proposed research outlined in the application as part of the internship must be part of the scientific program of the strategic cluster. In a first step, the strategic cluster recommends a candidate and then the candidate can apply for the scholarship. Find the list of Strategic Clusters here. Eligibility conditions All of the strategic clusters supported by the FRQNT may submit an application to this program. The applicant proposed by the strategic cluster must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed here after. For full-time students enrolled in a Québec university: The applicant must have Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status in Canada, or foreign student status with a valid study permit to study in Quebec. For foreign students enrolled in an university outside Québec: The applicant must have valid study permits or visas for the entire duration of the internship. The applicant can't be enrolled in a co-degree from more than one institution including a Québec university. For the students enrolled in a co-degree see the rules of the Frontenac program. Location of the internship: The internship must take place outside Quebec for students enrolled in a Quebec university. The internship must occur in Quebec for students from abroad. Start date of the internship: The internship must start no later than September 30th, 2020. Restrictions: Students who are jointly supervised by a researcher in a foreign university (co-degree) are not eligible to apply for an international internship scholarship to visit one of their home universities Application process Candidates interested within this program must file their application within their strategic cluster (see list on FRQNT's Web Site) Validate the list of documents required for this application with the specific strategic cluster. The strategic clusters which recommend a candidate must fill the specific form available on FRQNT's Web site as well as transmit it electronically. The form includes the complete addresses of the student, the academic supervisor, and the internship supervisor. A brief description of the nature of the internship is also required. The strategic clusters must also submit the selection committee report that states the results for each of the three criteria in effect, the assessment process and the names of the committee members. This report should briefly explain the efforts taken to ensure a fair and inclusive selection process, thus fostering the support of diversified interns.The strategic clusters must also send in the electronic form, a letter signed by the supervisor of the student specifying the start and end dates of the internship. Any internship application must be filed by the strategic cluster and approved by the FRQNT before the leaving of the trainee. Limited number of applications Each strategic cluster may generally submit up to two applications until the contest deadline. In no case should the total financial assistance of the two candidates exceed the total amount of $ 15,000. This limit can be re-examined and increased at all time until the contest deadline. Each strategic cluster can propose the application one foreign students enrolled outside Québec maximum, so they can pursue their internship within the strategic cluster in Québec The rules are the same for evaluating the candidate, the duration of his or hers internships and the value of the scholarship apply. The application of a foreign student enrolled outside Québec doesn't modify the total limit of two candidates and the total amount of 15 000$ per cluster. Learn more here. |
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Merit scholarship program for foreign students (PBEEE) | Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT)
(Please note this call is now closed, but will reopen in 2020) Value: dependent on program stream- please see below. The objective of the Merit Scholarship Programs for Foreign Students (PBEEE) is to support the internationalization of research activities in Québec's institutions of higher education, to attract the best foreign researchers and students, and to promote Québec universities and College Centers for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT), abroad. Candidates must be preselected by a university, the Réseau Trans-Tech (a CCTT), TERI University, the SRE or CONACYT. There are three streams within the program: Doctoral research, post-doctoral research, or Short-term research or professional development. Universities can recommend four candidates per year for each of these three components. There are no quotas per country. The Réseau Trans-tech can recommend four candidates for Postdoctoral scholarships and Short-term research or professional development scholarships. Doctoral research component Candidates are eligible for doctoral merit program scholarships from MEESR in the first nine sessions of their doctoral studies. All doctoral sessions, funded or unfunded, completed before the scholarship takes effect, are used in calculating the eligibility period. The maximum duration of the scholarship is three years (nine sessions), with a possible extension of up to 12 months, for up to $25,000 (Canadian) per year Postdoctoral component Postdoctoral scholarships are intended for researchers who have obtained their degree no more than two years before the deadline of the competition or who submitted their dissertation by the deadline for the beginning of scholarship use. Postdoctoral research must be conducted in an institution other than the one that granted the Doctorate. The applicant's doctoral supervisors and co-supervisors may not act as his/her postdoctoral supervisor, even if they have changed institutions. The duration of this scholarship is for up to one year, for $35,000 (Canadian). This scholarship is not renewable. Short-term research or professional development component Short-term research or professional development scholarships are intended for technical and university students (option A) or researchers who have completed a doctorate no more than five years before the deadline for the competition (option B). The research or professional development must be conducted in an institution other than the one at which the student was enrolled when he or she applied. The duration of this scholarship is for up to four months, for $3,000 (Canadian) per month. The scholarship is not renewable. Visit the programme website here. |