NRF Call for Applications
2015/16 – 2017/18
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY FUND
Please direct all queries to Bronwen Cloete (at researchfunding@uct.ac.za; tel 650 5110).
UCT’s internal closing date: Thursday, 28 May 2015
The Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has established the Research and
Technology Fund (RTF) as a vehicle to optimise DAFF’s investment in research and improve
coordination of efforts within the research system. Some of the challenges to be addressed by RTF,
which require science-based solutions, include:
 Maintaining the competitiveness of the sector for commercialization and foreign markets;
 Degradation of natural resources associated with climate change;
 Low productivity by the small holder farmers;
 Policy and institutional arrangements which inhibit growth and development of the sector;
and
 Develop / sustaining a pool of skilled professionals involved in R&D.
ELIGIBILITY
UCT Researchers are eligible to apply.
FUNDING MODALITIES
The 2 types of funding models to be availed through the RTF are the CoFM and CompFM. In broad
strokes, the difference between the 2 is that the CoFM-supported projects’ research topic and area
will primarily be directed by the industrial partners who will also be co-funding these, while the
CompFM projects will be funded from the RTF fund without necessarily receiving co-funding from
any industrial partners. In the latter case (CompFM), the selected projects’ research topics and
areas will be informed by the DAFF priorities. It is anticipated that there will be linkages between
the two RTF funding models, where projects from the CompFM will move to the CoFM or to other
technology funding instruments such as the Technology and Human Resources for Industry
Programme (THRIP), after completion of the first cycle of funding.
FUNDING
The RTF programme will fund running expenses and student support. Please note that student
support will only be funded for the duration of the grant.
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;
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Select ‘Research and Technology Fund 2015’;
Complete application and attach all necessary supporting documentation (such as
confirmation of contribution); and
The Designated Authority in the research administration of the institution validates the
application before submission to the NRF. In the case of CoFM, the validation should be
done only after the industry partners have accepted and approved the application. The
application is only acceptable to the NRF after the Designated Authority has signed-off on it.
This is intended as an indication that the institution is aware of the application and assures
the quality of the application.
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 Tuesday, 28 April 2015, 09h00.
Please be advised that the UCT Research Office will not accept any applications submitted after
Tuesday, 28 April 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 “Research and Technology
Fund 2015” under Open Calls section)