Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF) funding opportunity guidelines
for 2013
Internal closing date: 18 February 2013
Process:
Please request the application forms by e-mail: prf@nicd.ac.za. The latest application forms are not yet available
on the PRF website.
The PRF will only accept typed official application forms. Please complete and attach all relevant information as
requested. Incomplete and written applications will not be accepted.
Please submit a completed hard copy application together with your ethics approval letter to Lamees Emjedi at
Research, Grants & Finance, Old Main Building, E52 Room 24, GSH by no later than the internal closing date:
18th February 2013.
The office will send the electronic copy to the PRF including the signed verification form.
Please bear in mind that we are unable to accept late applications submitted after the 18 February 2013 as
these applications have to go through an internal signing off process before being submitted to the PRF.
Enquiries: lamees.emjedi@uct.ac.za or (021) 406 6338.
GENERAL RULES:
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Applications for research grants from the PRF will only be considered from South African citizens or
individuals with permanent resident status in South Africa
Only typed, official application forms will be accepted. Please request forms by E Mail: prf@nicd.ac.za.
The website forms are outdated.
It is very important to complete and attach all relevant information as requested. Incomplete applications
will not be accepted
Applications are submitted to the PRF through the tertiary institution’s administrative office
1. RESEARCH GRANTS:
The PRF awards 2 different types of research grants:
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Research Grants
Major Impact Project Grants
Research Grant Rules:
The PRF must be acknowledged in all publications arising from a proposal funded by the PRF
Details of Research Grants
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Research grants are awarded to establish researchers who have a track record of independent
innovative research supported by a significant publication record
This grant will only be awarded to applicants in possession of at least a PhD or equivalent degree / The
Principal Investigator should have a master's degree and 2 or more years of research experience and
publications.
The research proposal must have ethical approval
Period of funding: One year, renewable for a second and third year
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Details of Major Impact Project (MIP) Grants
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The funding ceiling is R 500 000 per annum for 3 years
A small number of Major Impact grants will be awarded each year for outstanding grant applications
which have high impact value
This will generally be kept to a maximum of TWO MIP's at any one time unless
exceptional/extraordinary application(s) arise
The value of these grants are considerably higher than that of normal research grants
As the allocated values are significantly greater than normal grants, full and detailed motivation will be
required as well as information proving merit and high impact of the project
MIP grants will not generally be made for projects in fields which already receive significant funding
All applications are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
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Orientation of Research: The project should be focused on laboratory or epidemiological virus
research rather than on clinical research of virus diseases
Relevance: That the project would have relevancy to human viral diseases in South Africa and that it
would be seen to be a project with a potential impact on health in South Africa
Scientific Merit: The scientific soundness of the project including innovation and clarity of the research
hypothesis
Evaluation of the Applicant: The track record of the applicant and what his/her input would be in the
project, particularly in terms of time in relationship to the needs of the project.
Resources available for the Project: Human and material resources within the laboratory or institution
as well as assistance from collaborators and support for other laboratories
Achievability: Are the aims of the project achievable within a realistic time frame
Budget: Is the budget realistic to the needs of the project and are there other resources of funding?
Intervention Orientation: Do the aims of the project lend themselves to realistic disease interventions
which could affect the reduction of illness burden?
Grants will normally run for 3 years
Grants are to be submitted on the relevant form
An application for renewal with details of results achieved, papers published and presented at
congresses need to be submitted for the second and third year as well as any requests for modifications
of the grant
A final report at the end of the third year detailing results achieved must be completed and submitted to
the PRF
2. BURSARIES:
Bursary Rules:
The PRF awards bursaries towards obtaining the following types of qualifications:
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BSc (Hons) – Applicants that have obtained a minimum pass of 60%
Masters – Applicants that have obtained a minimum pass of 60%
PhD
Bursaries are ordinarily awarded only to South African citizens or persons with permanent residency
permits for South Africa. A limited number of bursaries may be awarded to other non-South African
applicants
The PRF does not support applications from full-time employees (salary receiving employees)
Once the award has been made the scholarship holder cannot change the research project without the
approval of the PRF
All new applications as well as renewal applications must be completed in full and all required
documents attached (this includes Supervisor’s written support)
Please note: Other than exceptional circumstances the maximum duration of support will be 2 years for
Masters and 3 years for PhD bursaries.
All new bursary applications must contain all the details for the following sections:
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General information including degree applied for
Relevant experience to date
Project details
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Ethics Committee Certificate
Curriculum Vitae
All applications for renewal of bursaries must contain all the details for the following
sections:
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General information including year of the degree applied for
Relevant experience to date
Project details
Ethics Committee Certificate
Animal ethics committee (where applicable)
Progress Report
Publication and meetings list
Supervisor’s written support for new application or written report for renewals.
3. TRAVEL GRANTS
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Travel Grants are granted for attendance at local or international conferences.
International conference - This grant will only be awarded to applicants in possession of at least a PhD
or equivalent degree
Applications for conferences will only be considered if an applicant is actively contributing and
participating in the conference and copies of acceptance letters must accompany the application form
Applications for visits to laboratories must be supported by appropriate letters of invitation from hosting
laboratories
Travel Grants will not be given to the same individual in successive years
Travel Grants will be made up of:
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One single economy class return air fair to destination
Registration fee, accommodation and subsistence
A maximum of R 25 000 will be granted based on the above
4. JAMES GEAR INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP
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The award which is at present R 200 000 + flight (one year only), is for outstanding candidates to enable
them to develop their research careers in overseas academic institutions.
The fellowship is a prestige award made only to those eminently well qualified to receive it.
Those eligible for the award are postgraduates with at least a medical degree or degree in veterinary
sciences or a doctorate degree in the sciences or equivalents
Detailed motivation including the candidates curriculum vitae and motivating letter from the supervisor or
head of the department, detailed research proposal approved by the head of department and by the
overseas host institution are required
This Fellowship will be awarded to outstanding candidates to enable them to develop their research
careers internationally in academic institutions
Potential applicants may need to be interviewed by members of the Scientific Advisory Panel
Fellows will be required to give an undertaking to return to South Africa for at least 3 years upon
completion of their research projects internationally.
5. PRF POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
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Applications are invited for this newly instituted Fellowship awarded for post-doctoral medical studies in
virology to be conducted in South Africa. The Fellowship will be awarded for a one-year period, on a
competitive basis, to South Africans or individuals with permanent resident status, as salary for highlevel research work in a suitable department, unit or institute of an already identified South African host
institution
Applications may be submitted as nominations by institutions or directly by individuals, and must provide
full details of preceding doctoral work and publications; a description of the rationale and methodology of
the proposed project (including certified evidence of operational funding, facilities and equipment that
will be available outside of the Fellowship award); and the names of at least three contactable referees.
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The emphasis in the selection is on the excellence of the academic track record; evidence of unusual
creativity and ingenuity in addressing scientific problems; both the novelty AND the feasibility of the
proposed approach; and the quality, adequacy and appropriateness of the host environment,
Applicants must be in possession of either a PhD or MBBCh or BVSc or equivalent doctoral level degree
(or written proof from the University that all conditions have been satisfied for the award of the degree at
the next graduation ceremony)
The value of the Fellowship will be R140 000 if conditions are met, no income tax is payable
Please direct enquiries and applications for the Fellowship to prf@nicd.ac.za
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