University of Cape Town
Cir no: 37/2008
To:
07/07/2008
dd08
The Deans of faculties, Heads of academic departments, Heads of
Research, Extension & other academic organisational units (via
http://www.uct.ac.za/research/office/announcements/notices/)
Emory University (USA)/SA drug discovery programme
Call for applications
Internal Deadline: 7 August 2008
External Deadline: 15 August 2008
Executive Summary
The National Research Foundation (NRF) on behalf of the Department of Science
and Technology (DST) together with Emory University in the USA is offering
funding for research expertise training and short-term exchange visits in the field
of Drug Discovery covering aspects of high throughput screening, molecular
modelling, vaccine development, drug discovery, technology transfer and
genomics and proteomics
The research expertise training is for a period of four to six months (starting in
January 2009) and the short-term exchange visits are for a period of one to three
months of which the visit must take place by the 30 June 2009. The total value of
the awards for the research expertise training is up to ZAR 200,000 per person
and for the short-term exchange visits of up to ZAR 60,000 per person.
Strategic Context
South Africa’s National Research and Development Strategy (2002) identified the
creation of viable vaccine development and biopharmaceutical industries as
priorities to mitigate against the devastation caused by HIV/AIDS and other
communicable diseases. The Drug Discovery Training Programme between Emory
University and South Africa is therefore a direct response to these needs because
it will contribute to producing high-quality human resources, the generation of
high-quality knowledge, and the development and transfer of this knowledge to
ensure tangible benefits to society.
The overarching purpose of the Drug Discovery Training Programme aims to
support and accelerate pharmaceutical research in South Africa through capacity
building and knowledge transfer in order to empower South African, and
ultimately the broader African research community, to be proactively involved in
establishing and sustaining a needs-driven research agenda for economic and
social development.
The initial foci of this programme are:
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high throughput screening
molecular modelling
vaccine development
drug discovery
technology transfer
genomics and proteomics
It is envisaged that eventually (through mutual agreement between Emory
University and South Africa) this programme could address a wider spectrum of
knowledge areas and capacity development activities.
The following activities have been selected to implement this programme:
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Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships for SA researchers who obtained their
doctoral degrees not more than five years ago (the call for 2008 post docs
was posted in February 2008 and closed in April 2008)
Research expertise training for SA researchers (pertaining to this call)
Short-term exchange visits for research collaborations between SA and
Emory University scientists (pertaining to this call)
Training workshops/ short courses/lectures etc in South Africa (topics to
be identified for implementation in the 2nd half of 2008)
Objectives
1. Research expertise training for SA researchers
The specific objective of the research expertise training is to allow
researchers employed at South African universities, science councils and
other state funded research laboratories to benefit from research training
at Emory University in specific skills in drug discovery which will enhance
their current research activities.
2. Short-term exchange visits for research collaborations between SA
and Emory University scientists
The specific objective of the short-term exchange visits is to enable
researchers from South African universities, science councils and other
research laboratories and Emory University researchers to forge
collaborations for joint research projects with the potential to, among
others, feed into the Research Chairs and/or research Centres of
Excellence initiatives in South Africa. Both incoming visits from Emory
University to South Africa and outgoing visits from South Africa to Emory
University will be considered.
The long-term objectives of both activities are to:
 build a cadre of scientists to undertake internationally competitive
research in South Africa that is relevant to South Africa’s needs
 contribute to increased vaccine and pharmaceutical research knowledge
transfer in South Africa
 improve development of cost-effective products and processes to address
SA and Africa’s health needs contributing towards poverty eradication
Eligibility Criteria
1. Research expertise training for SA researchers
The applicant:
 must be a full-time employee or part-time employee on contract (on
condition that the appointment extends at least six months beyond the
training period) at a South African university/science council/other
research laboratories
 have at least a doctoral degree qualification
 have at least three years relevant research experience in one or more
of the identified research foci of the Drug Discovery Programme
2. Short-term exchange visits for research collaborations between SA
and Emory University scientists
The applicant:
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must be a full-time employee or part-time employee on contract (on
condition that the appointment extends at least six months beyond the
training period) at a South African university/science council/other
state funded research laboratories
have at least a doctoral degree qualification
have at least five years relevant research experience in one or more of
the identified research foci of the Drug Discovery Programme
must provide proof of co-funding for the shortfall between the total
estimated expenditure amount and the maximum amount allowed by
the NRF.
A list of relevant Emory University faculty members and their research interests is
available from the UCT Research Office. The faculty members on the list
represent potential collaborators and it is the responsibility of the applicant (i.e.
the researcher in SA) to forge linkages with an Emory University faculty member
prior to submission of an application.
Duration
1. Research expertise training for SA researchers
The training period will be for a duration of four to six months depending
on the nature of the training starting in January 2009. Training
opportunities are available in the areas of high throughput screening,
molecular modelling, vaccine science, genomics / proteomics and other
aspects of drug discovery.
2. Short-term exchange visits for research collaborations between SA
and Emory University scientists
The short-term exchange visits will be for a duration of not less than one
month and not more than three months. All visits must take place before
the 30 June 2009.
Value of Awards
1. Research expertise training for SA researchers
The NRF will provide a travel grant of up to ZAR 20,000 to cover the
following costs:
 a return economy airticket to the USA
 travel and health insurance
 visa costs
 ground travel to your final destination within the USA.
Emory University will directly cover the costs of accommodation in the USA
and pay a monthly stipend of up to US$ 2,000 per month.
2. Short-term exchange visits for research collaborations between SA
and Emory University scientists
The NRF will provide a travel grant of up to ZAR 60,000 to partially cover
the following costs:
 a return economy airticket to the USA/SA
 travel and health insurance
 visa costs
 ground travel in the USA/SA
 accommodation in a three-star hotel
 a daily subsistence allowance of US$ 120.
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria will apply for both the research expertise training and the
exchange visit activities:
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Academic merit of the applicant (and Emory University host/visitor for
the exchange visits) including publications, conference proceedings,
prizes and awards, etc.
Post graduate student training (in particular black and female
students) track record of the applicant (in the case of younger staff
members, this criterion is not a prerequisite)
Redressing the imbalance in equity in South Africa in terms of race,
gender, age and disability of the applicant
Significance of the training skills to be obtained and/or the
collaboration for science and the benefits to society in South Africa
Technology application/transfer in South Africa which will contribute
to broadening the knowledge base within the South African research
system.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted to the NRF via the University’s Research
Office, as per the required format, on or before the internal deadline date.
Required documentation:
 Completed application form
 The full CVs of the applicant and foreign host/visitor (only for
exchange visits) completed on the NRF Online system
(http://nrfonline.nrf.ac.za/)
 Recent quote for price of air ticket from a recognised IATA travel
agent (Quotes extracted from the Internet are not acceptable).
Should you encounter
supportdesk@nrf.ac.za.
online
problems,
please
contact
NRF
support
For further information or copies of the application form please contact:
 Haajirah Esau: x2431, haajirah.esau@uct.ac.za, OR
 Essie Thomas: x5204, estrelita.thomas@uct.ac.za
Circular approved by:
Dr Marilet Sienaert
Director: Research Office
at