Other Research Funding Opportunities

NOTE: Funding opportunities remain here for up to a year after there expiry date, to provide a guideline to interested parties in case the opportunity is cyclical - it might appear again at the same time a year later. The most recent funding opportunity is at the bottom, the oldest one is at the top.

THE NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION'S KEY INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE CAPACITY (KISC) FUND
Internal Deadline: 17 September 2008
External Deadline: 01 October 2008

The NRF Key International Science Capacity (KISC) initiative is a programme aimed at the unilateral funding of South Africa-based research projects or activities demonstrating a clear element of local capacity building, through international collaboration, in critical scientific and technological expertise currently scarce or lacking in the country, or the transfer of such expertise from abroad through international student and/or researcher exchange.

Funding and Period: While funding levels are not fixed, a suggested maximum of R300 000 per project/activity may be used as a general indicator of available funds (i.e. R100 000 per year).

SOUTH AFRICA - MOZAMBIQUE JOINT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
Internal Deadline: 26 September 2008
External Deadline: 10 October 2008

In July 2006 an agreement on collaboration in Science and Technology between the governments of South Africa and Mozambique was signed, followed later by a Program of Cooperation (PoC) aimed at its implementation. The PoC sought to facilitate scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries by supporting researchers from universities, universities of technology, science councils and public research institutes on an equal and mutually beneficial basis. Research areas/disciplines: " Biosciences (food, agriculture and health technologies); " Space Science; " Indigenous Knowledge System; " Environmental and Climate Change " Mathematical Sciences; " Energy;

Funding and Period: A maximum amount of R400 000 per project within a period of two years maximum and should not exceed an amount of R200 000 for the first year period.

NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION BLUE SKIES RESEARCH PROGRAMME 2009
Internal Deadline: 17 October 2008
External Deadline: 31 October 2008

The Blue Skies Research Programme is a highly competitive programme and provides the space for novel fundamental enquiry, curiosity-driven and basic research in order to increase the knowledge base. This programme aims to bring about new and unpredictable scientific/technological/scholarly discoveries - the kinds that form the basis of new industries, markets and broader social innovations of the future. The objective is to ensure that the science system in the country maintains sufficient diversity in the research landscape and skills base and does not become over focused in areas of perceived strategic advantage. The emphasis is therefore to ensure a balance in the focus and diversity of our science system.

NRF TRAVEL GRANTS: 2008
The deadline for the submission of applications is 03 OCTOBER 2008

International conference attendance Short courses abroad (Less than 2 months) Funding: Applications for travel grants will be reviewed by Confcom. If successful, NRF portion will constitute up to 50% of costs. Supplementary funds should therefore be sought from other sources.

INNOVATION FUND'S PATENT INCENTIVE FUND
The purpose of the Incentive Fund is to encourage innovation and increase patenting activity by students and researchers at publicly funded research institutions (in particular Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and Statutory Science Councils (Science Councils)) by providing incentives to students and researchers to file patent applications at the South African Patent Office.

Funding Under the Incentive Fund, inventors at a Higher Education Institution and Statutory Science Councils will, subject to compliance with policy conditions, be eligible for an award as set out below: Single Inventor - R25 000; Two or three Inventors - each inventor will receive R20 000; Four Inventors - each inventor will receive R18 000 each; Five or more Inventors - R80 000 per patent Serial Inventors - Where an inventor secures a number of patents during the course of a given year, the incentive will be limited to only one award, being the higher amount.

Thus, where inventor is a sole inventor in one patent and a co-inventor in a patent citing four inventors, the inventor will be entitled to the higher amount award, i.e. R25 000. Co-Inventors from other institutions - If there are co-inventors on the patent and the patent meets the requirement that all the rights have been properly assigned to a public institution (a tertiary institution or a science council, or the Innovation Fund), all the co-inventors who are employees of, or students at a public institution, shall be rewarded, as per above.

SOUTH AFRICAN BIOSYSTEMATICS INITIATIVE (SABI) CALL FOR POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS (FUNDING YEAR - 2009)
Internal Deadline: 1 October 2008
External Deadline: 15 October 2008

The South African Biosystematics Initiative (SABI) was developed to significantly enhance South Africa's capacity to undertake research in biosystematics, thereby establishing a skills base and information platform at the foundation of all scientific endeavour in the life sciences, such that the full potential of South Africa's unique biological resources can be realised and safeguarded for the future benefit of all. SABI is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF). The total award per annum is up to R170, 000. All fellows must be based at a museum in South Africa.

VALUE AND THE RULES OF THE AWARD - The award will include a scholarship to the value of R120, 000 per year and running expense to a maximum value of R50, 000 (which includes funds for international traveling if need may be). - Mentorship programmes may be recommended and if implemented will have a direct bearing on the final tenure of the fellowship. - The host institution of the fellow shall be required to commit in providing a workspace and other necessary resources (e.g. office, computer and laboratory facilities etc) - The fellow must be based at a museum throughout the scholarship period.

South Africa-UK Science Networks - Phase II
INTERNAL DEADLINE: 6 October 2008
EXTERNAL DEADLINE: 20 October 2008

" The research must be on a subject within the natural sciences, including: physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, engineering, agricultural and medical research, scientific aspects of archaeology, geography, experimental psychology, and the history of science.

Funding is up to a maximum of £10,000 shared between the Royal Society and the NRF. Funding cannot be used to cover research expenses and proof of expenditure will be required after the networking activity has taken place.

Mauerbeger Foundation Scholarships
INTERNAL DEADLINE: 14 November 2008

Postgraduate students who have achieved first-class results (75 % and above in the previous degree) are invited to submit application forms for the above-mentioned scholarships for master's students in 2009. Attached is the application form which is also available on our website. Full-time research master's students can apply using this form. Candidates must be South African Citizens.

NB: Part-time master's, doctoral full-time and part-time and course-work students are not eligible to apply for these scholarships. Completed application forms should be sent to our office at the address below on or before 14 November 2008.

International Scientific Seminars: Switzerland/South Africa
Internal Deadline: 11 November 2008
External Deadline: 25 November 2008

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) - in co-operation with the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) - invites scientists in Switzerland to submit proposals for Joint Swiss-South African Scientific Seminars to be held either in Switzerland or in South Africa between 01 June 2009 and 31 May 2010 The seminars generally aim at strengthening the ties between Swiss and South African scientists. They provide for a platform for the creation of new Swiss-South African networks which should subse-quently result in intensified Swiss-South African research co-operation.

Eligibility: The seminars are targeted at the leading Swiss and South African scientists in possession of a PhD (in South Africa) in any scientific field, who join each other from the various Swiss and South African research institutions that undertake relevant research activities in their field. Thus, the seminars are not a funding mechanism for local undertakings (e. g. no funding of a local colloquium with foreign partners).

Evaluation criteria: The SNSF and the NRF may select for funding up to three seminars from amongst the proposals submitted, on a competitive basis. The following criteria will be considered for evaluation: " Scientific competence of the participants " Extent to which the Swiss delegation represents the leading Swiss research groups in the field " Scientific relevance of the seminar's overall topic " Potential of the seminar to enhance Swiss-South African research co-operation in a medium- and long-term perspective. As the seminars are seen as an incentive to create new Swiss-South African networks and research co-operations, they will be funded only on an individual basis (no funding of multi-annual series of seminars, applicants can submit only a proposal for one seminar per call). However, SNSF and NRF may consider the possibility to support an existing Swiss-South African network with a second seminar being held on the same overall topic in the other country than where the first one took place.

NRF/JST JOINT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COLLABORATION
Internal Deadline: 01 December 2008

Background
In July 2008, the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) signed an inter-agency bilateral agreement on cooperation in science and technology with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), aimed at the joint funding of South Africa-Japan collaborative research. Within the framework of this agreement, the NRF is pleased herewith to announce the first joint call for proposals by researchers seeking funding, and invite all interested parties to submit their applications, using the form accompanying this document, by a date no later than that indicated below.

Aims of the Programme " To strengthen scientific cooperation between South African and Japanese researchers. " To promote research exchange in scientific fields which both sides consider important in order to achieve sustainable growth.

Areas of Cooperation
Life Sciences, defined as all sciences that have to do with living organisms such as plants, animals and human beings, and encompassing scientific sub-disciplines such as biotechnology, biochemistry, cell biology, biomedical technologies, biomedical devices, genetics, molecular biology, etc. Proposals within the following sub-disciplines will be regarded as priority for the purposes of final selection: " Nanotechnology as applied to Life Sciences (e.g. DNA Chips, Biological Nano-Machines, Nano-Medicine, Nano-Biotechnology Research, etc.) " Infectious Diseases " Plant Science

Eligibility
This call is open to working researchers residing in South Africa and affiliated with a recognised higher education or research institution such as a university, university of technology or science council. An application must designate two principal investigators, one in South Africa and one in Japan, who will bear the main responsibility for the project, including its technical and administrative coordination as well as scientific and financial reporting. The South African principal investigator must be in possession of a PhD., and an application for the same research activity must also be submitted to the JST by the Japanese principal investigator in order for joint funding to be considered. Note that project proposals only received in one country will not be considered for funding.

Funding Period
While NRF funding levels are not fixed, the total amount of funding requested should preferably not exceed R200 000 per project per year. Funding will be made available for a maximum of three years, to be paid in annual instalments and exclusively for research activities commencing in 2009.

UK Economic and Social Research Council and the National Research Foundation
Internal Deadline: 01 December 2008 External Deadline: 15 December 2008

Background
The UK Economic and Social Research Council and the National Research Foundation are pleased to announce their bilateral agreement to facilitate collaborative projects involving UK and South African social scientists. Applications are invited for bilateral collaborative research proposals under the ESRC Small Grants Scheme or Standard Grants Scheme. To this end, both parties wish to develop collaborative activities bringing together social scientists from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (U.K.) and South Africa in order to share expertise and develop new research agendas. Such activities shall address research questions that require attention by the social sciences, or by the social sciences in interaction with other fields of enquiry.

Eligibility
This call is open to working researchers residing in South Africa and affiliated with a recognised higher education or research institution such as a university, university of technology or science council. An application must designate two principal investigators, one in South Africa and one in the UK, who will bear the main responsibility for the project, including its technical and administrative coordination as well as scientific and financial reporting. The South African applicant must be in possession of a PhD. Commercial institutions and private education institutions are not eligible to apply. The Applicant must be a South African citizen or be researchers working at a University or recognised public research institution that will be eligible for funding from the NRF. Commercial institutions and private education institutions are not eligible to apply.

Funding aspects of the program
While funding levels are not fixed, a suggested maximum of R300 000 per project may be used as a general indicator of available funds (i.e. R100 000 per year) for a period of three years for the SA Researcher.

AFRICAN HUMANITIES PROGRAM
Deadline for receipt of applications at ACLS: December 1, 2008

The American Council of Learned Societies announces a new program providing support to the humanities in five African countries, funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Stipends will be $9,000 for Dissertation-Completion Fellowships and $16,000 for Early-Career Postdoctoral Fellowships, with cost of living adjustments for each of the five countries. Fellowships are intended to release recipients from teaching and other duties for an academic year to devote full time to research and writing. Fellowship recipients may request an allowance for residence away from the home institution. Approximately 40 fellowships will be awarded in all five countries combined during the first competition year. Applications will be evaluated by an international peer-review committee of distinguished humanities scholars.

The African Humanities Program seeks to promote diversity (in terms of discipline, institution, region, gender, and historical disadvantage) for the sake of excellence in humanities scholarship. Applications are welcome from all eligible scholars in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.

National University of Singapore Scholarships - 2009

Internal Deadline: 14 November 2008

NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS) offers generous PhD Scholarships to talented students with strong research potential. NGS fosters excellence in integrative PhD research and education. All students will have access to ample resources, a world class infrastructure and receive supervision from top flight academics. NGS recognises that to solve the most challenging problems in Science, Engineering and Medicine requires an integrative research approach.

Apply through NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS) website at http://www.ngs.nus.edu.sg. Applications must be submitted on-line at https://integral.nus.edu.sg/pif/pif_adm_web.homepage. There are 2 intakes per academic year, one in August and the other in January. All copies of the applications must reach the Dean's Office by 15 November (of the previous year) for the August intake and by May (of the previous year) for the January intake. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed for admission in March and August for the August and January intake respectively. For suitably qualified students, the interviews may be waived at the discretion of the School Graduate Programme Committee.

Federal Ministry of Education: Sustainable land Management

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 27 FEBRUARY 2009

Sustainable land management is key importance in preserving natural resources and the development prospects of future generations. The funding measure is based on the "Research for Sustainability" (FONA) framework programme of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and provides a link with the Ministry's future research areas.

Funding may be awarded in the form of non-repayable project grants. The basis for calculating the grants for universities, research and science institutions and similar es-tablishments is the eligible project-related expenditure (in the case of the Helmholtz centres and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (FhG) the eligible project-related costs), which can be funded up to a maxi-mum of 100% in individual cases.

IUGG Grant for eGY-Africa

The international Union of Geodesy and Geophysics has awarded a grant of USD 10,000 in support of eGY-Africa programs. eGY-Africa is an eGY-inspired initiative to reduce the Digital Divide by promoting better Internet connectivity in universities and other research and education institutions on Africa. The grant will be used to help run a pan-African workshop to address the problem and coordinate action. Information about the eGY-Africa Working Group is available at http://www.egy.org/egyafrica.php.

NRF Free-standing Scholarships/Fellowships-2009

NB. Since Postdoctoral fellowship-holders may commence any time of the year with their research, three closing dates per annum have been set as indicated below: 05 December 2008 31 March 2009 31 July 2009 Fellowship-holders will be required to check when their fellowships expire to comply with these dates. In the case of Master's and Doctoral scholarship-holders who register in the second half of the year, reports should be submitted online by 31 March 2009.

Call for Renewals are now open for 2009 Applications for National Research Foundation (NRF) Free-standing Scholarships / Fellowships are open online for Master's, Doctoral and Postdoctoral fellowships. Application process Candidates to complete and submit APRs online ensuring that all sections are fully completed. Once APRs are submitted online, candidates should ensure that their supervisors (in the case of Master's and doctoral scholarship-holders) or Host of research (in the case of Postdoctoral Fellowship-holders) complete the progress report on their behalf as soon as possible online. Applicants to log on NRF online ( http://nrfonline.nrf.ac.za/ )) using their ID numbers and password.

NEW ZEALAND DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND

Applications are invited from South African nationals to undertake postgraduate studies (for Postgraduate Diploma or masters degrees) at universities in New Zealand commencing in January 2009. The New Zealand Development Scholarship scheme (NZDS) is funded by the New Zealand Agency for international Development (NZAID). Up to 14 scholarships are available to eligible African applicants and will cover airfares, tuition fees and a living allowance in New Zealand.
The priority fields of study are:
- Health (particularly public health, primary health, HIV /AIDS, infectious diseases);
- Nutrition; and
- Rural livelihoods (including small and micro enterprise development).
Applications forms are available from a participating New Zealand tertiary education institution (contact details are found on the web address below). Please complete two application forms and attach copies of current CV, certified copies of university certificates, transcripts and three reference letters, two from academic referees and one work related together with each application which must be STRICTLY in ENGLISH. A one-page summary in English of reasons for wishing to undertake postgraduate training in New Zealand and how the postgraduate training being sought will benefit your country must also be provided. Applications are to be submitted to the New Zealand education institution of the applicants choice by the institution's published application close-off date. Please see www.nzaid.govt.nz/scholarships/nzds/open-education-institutions.html for the education institution's contact details and related cut-off dates.

Citrus Academy Bursary Fund

The closing date for applications for the Citrus Academy Bursary Fund is 30 September 2008. To apply for a bursary, candidates need to complete the attached form and fax to us on the following number: 031-312 1326. Alternatively, applicants can complete the online form on our website, www.citrusacademy.co.za. More information regarding the requirements of the Bursary Fund is also available on the website.

DAAD In-Country Scholarships for the Academic Year beginning 2009

Objective: As part of the "In-Country- / In-Region Scholarship Programme", in which more than two dozen African universities and university networks participate and which annually supports some 800 African postgraduates, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is able to offer scholarships for postgraduate studies to South African universities. The Programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and aims at university staff development in the first line, without neglecting other public sector demand of academically trained personnel.

Target Group: Preference is given to young university staff members or candidates considered for teaching / research staff recruitment either for the own university or any other institution of higher education in South Africa. Staff members should be exempted from teaching for full-time studies as DAAD scholarships provide sufficient funding.

Scholarship details: The scholarships are designed for fulltime two-year Master courses or three-year PhD degree studies. Note: the initial award is for one year only. For extensions please see further below. Scholarship holders receive the following funds, usually paid out in monthly instalments: Master courses: ZAR 36,000.00 p.a. PhD degree studies: ZAR 48,000.00 p.a. This fund is supposed to cover all emerging costs in connection with the studies. Extraordinarily high tuition fees will only be refunded separately in very exceptional cases and upon application. Further additional funds are not granted.

Application requirements: Applicants must have the South African citizenship (permanent residents in exceptional cases only) Female candidates and those belonging to historically disadvantaged groups are particularly encouraged to apply Age limit of 36 years at the time of application Applicants may come from all those fields of study that have a strong relevance to national development whereas preference is given to training in scarce skills (natural sciences, mathematics, ICT, engineering, agricultural sciences, applied social sciences). However, the humanities and fine arts are excluded. Candidates receiving other scholarships may also apply without having the additional fund credited to the DAAD bursary later on. NB: applicants receiving a NRF scholarship will not be considered Application documents " DAAD application form together with certified copies of the relevant documents / certificates " Proof of (at least provisional / conditional) admission to the desired degree course at the chosen university " PhD candidates must, in addition, submit a research proposal with time schedule and a declaration of acceptance from their respective academic supervisors

J. MAYO GREENBERG SCHOLARSHIP PRIZE - 2009

Leiden Observatory and the Leids Universiteitsfonds have pleasure in inviting applications for the fourth J. Mayo Greenberg Scholarship Prize. The purpose of the prize is to provide an opportunity for a talented graduate student to carry out research and/or receive education at Leiden Observatory in one or more of the fields that were of interest to Professor Greenberg.

These include:
* Laboratory astrophysics, * Dust in the early Universe, * Dust in the Milky Way and other galaxies * Comet formation, * Origin of life.

Although applications will be considered from the whole world, preference will be given to applicants resident in developing countries. Candidates should have sufficient educational background in the field to benefit from attendance at graduate courses or participation in the research. The Scholarship Prize will support a visit to Leiden for a maximum duration of 9 months. In very exceptional circumstances there may be a possibility of extending the visit for a longer period. Applications for the 2009 Prize should be received before 30 November 2008. Application forms should be accompanied by the following documents: - Curriculum Vitae with details of relevant background, - Statement containing the purpose for which the grant is requested and - Motivation for the request. Applicants should arrange for 2 - 3 references to be sent under separate cover.

Applications should be addressed to:

Professor G.K. Miley,
Chairman,
Selection Committee,
J. Mayo Greenberg Scholarship Prize,
Sterrewacht,
Postbus 9513,
2300 RA Leiden,
THE NETHERLANDS

Applications can also be sent via email to drost@strw.leidenuniv.nl, with the relevant documentation as attachments in MS Word, latex, pdf or postcript format. The results of the selection will be announced on or before 31 December 2008.

Jan van Eyck Academie - Post-Academic Institute for Research and Production
Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Deadline: 15 April 2009

Artists, designers and theoreticians are invited to submit research and production proposals to become a researcher at the Jan van Eyck Academie. Candidates can either apply with a topic of their own or for a project formulated by the institute itself. In order to realise these projects, the Jan van Eyck offers the necessary made-to-measure artistic, technical and auxiliary preconditions.

Candidates applying for Fine Art, Design or Theory are asked to propose an individual research project. They can also indicate their interest in participating in one of the projects that are offered by the department of their choice or other departments. The academic year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Research candidates can apply for a one-year or two-year research period starting annually on 1 January. It is also possible to apply to do research for a different period and with a different starting date. More information about the application procedure can be found at http://www.janvaneyck.nl/_devices/frames_applications.html.

For questions and more information on the application procedure, please contact Leon Westenberg at leon.westenberg@janvaneyck.nl or +31 (0)43 3503724. For questions relating to the Jan van Eyck Academie in general, please contact Ankie Bosch at ankie.bosch@janvaneyck.nl or +31 (0)43 3503721.