Open Infrastructure Linked Research Call
The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP)
Please direct all queries to Bronwen Cloete (at researchfunding@uct.ac.za; tel 650 5110).
UCT’s internal closing date: Wednesday, 18 March 2015
The ACEP Open Research call promotes marine research along the East and South Coast by providing
competitive access to:
 Research infrastructure (e.g. ship time, coastal craft, remote-operated vehicles, etc.);
 Sentinel research sites (e.g. Algoa Sentinel site); and
 Research funding to be used in conjunction with research infrastructure.
The ACEP 2015 – 2017 funding seeks marine research applications which fall within the research
framework of ACEP and the Phakisa Ocean Cruises Programme, and which maximise the use of
equipment which is not normally available at HEIs or NRF-recognised institutions. Research
applications which do not require infrastructure support are advised to apply to other NRF funding
instruments, as the ACEP call is specifically designed around infrastructure access.
ELIGIBILITY
UCT researchers are eligible to apply as the principal investigator, provided that they are:
Full-time UCT employees
OR
On contract at UCT, but on condition that their appointment at UCT is for (at least) the duration of
the project applied for in the submission. The length of the contract should be stated in the
application form. Salaries must be paid by UCT and the primary employment of the individual
concerned must be at UCT.
OR
Retired academics / researchers provided that they meet all set criteria below:
 Are active researchers with a distinguished track record in research and
postgraduate student supervision; and
 Have proof of institutional support in the form of an employment contract, office
space, administrative support, and access to research equipment and space. The
institution will have to ensure that a minimum of six months is spent at UCT for the
purpose of research and research capacity development.
FUNDING
Awards will be made for a period of up to 3 years. The total budget for grant-holder grants is in
order of R9,000,000 spread over 3 years. It is anticipated that between four and eight programmes
will be funded. Proposals in excess of R2,500,000 are unlikely to be considered.
The following items can be covered by this grant:
 Grant-holder linked student support;
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o Honours / BTech (full-time; 1 year) – R25,000 per year
o Master’s degree (full-time; 2 years) – R60,000 per year
o Master’s degree (part-time; 3 years) – R15,000 per year
o Doctoral degree (full-time; 3 years) – R80,000 per year
o Postdoctoral (pro rata per month; 3 years) – R140,000 per year.
Travel;
Internal research and co-ordination meetings;
Subsistence costs and sea-going allowance;
Research consumables;
Research equipment;
Conferences;
Medical certificates;
Additional certification required by students or researchers (e.g. Class IV diving certificates);
Permits;
Sample analysis; and
Publication page charges.
APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION PROCESS
Applications must be submitted through an online application process, via
https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za.
 Register / Login using your ID number and password;
 Select ‘create new application’ from the list of existing calls;
 Select ‘African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) 2015’; and
 Complete application and attach all necessary and additional supporting documentation
(including letters from co-investigators confirming their participation in the proposed
research).
Complete applications will go to the UCT Research Office for verification, and will be endorsed and
forwarded to the NRF. Please submit your applications no later than Wednesday, 18 March 2015.
Please be advised that the UCT Research Office will not accept any applications submitted after
Wednesday, 18 March 2015. Late applications, therefore, will not be endorsed or forwarded to
the NRF for submission.
Applicants must ensure that their CVs are updated on the NRF Submission systems at
https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za, as these will be used in the assessment processes.
It is of utmost importance that you consult the Call Guide for more information:
https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/nrfmkii/ (click on the + sign next to the “African Coelacanth
Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) 2015” under Open Calls section)