UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
CIR NO: 23/2010
TO:
03/08/2010
sabi10
THE DEANS OF FACULTIES, HEADS OF ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS, HEADS OF
RESEARCH, EXTENSION & OTHER ACADEMIC ORGANISATIONAL
(http://www.researchoffice.uct.ac.za/announcements/)
South African Biosystematics Initiative (SABI)
Call for Proposals 2010, for Funding Commencing in 2011
Internal Deadline: Thursday, 19 August 2010
External Deadline: Tuesday, 31 August 2010
The South African Department of Science & Technology and the National Research
Foundation jointly supports the activities of the South African Biosystematics
Initiative (SABI). SABI aims to develop a representative community of systematic
biologists, well- supported by government and society – that addresses exciting and
important issues relevant to South Africa's rich biological heritage. SABI’s funding
and its activities are therefore focused around four thrusts including research,
education and training, public understanding of science, and infrastructure.
This call for applications pertains to the following SABI activities:
1. Research Projects
(Applications must be submitted via the NRF’s Interim Solution at
http://nrfinterim.nrf.ac.za. Please select the “Knowledge Fields
Development” (KFD) Call under “Create New Application”.)
2. Production of Identification Keys
3. Postdoctoral Fellowships
4. International Travel Student Awards
(Applications for activities 2 – 4 will only be accepted in the required hard copy
format: Application forms for item 2 is available from the Research Office
[haajirah.esau@uct.za], whereas application forms for items 3 and 4 are available
from the Postgraduate Funding Office [sandra.dewberry@uct.ac.za].)
All applications must be endorsed by the Research Office of the principal applicant.
In the case of applications submitted by students, applications have to be endorsed
by the Postgraduate Funding Office prior to submission to the NRF.
Incomplete and late submissions will not be accepted.
SABI’S OBJECTIVES
SABI was created with the purpose of providing a framework and strategy to:
 address dwindling national capacity in systematics;
 provide leadership and co-ordination to promote innovative research in the
field of systematics;
 empower South African systematists to employ and develop modern scientific
technologies and approaches with regard to the documentation and use of
biological resources;
 enhance the ability of South African systematists to contribute to the National
System of Innovation and the information society, and thus to respond to
national priorities in agriculture, health, sustainable development and
conservation;
 assist the broader scientific community and government in the fulfilment of
national and global biodiversity-related commitments; and
 promote awareness of the importance of systematic research in the broader
community through education and outreach projects.
The Vision of SABI is therefore
to develop a representative community of biological systematists wellsupported by government and society - that addresses exciting and
important issues relevant to South Africa's rich biological heritage.
SABI is organised into four main but interlinking thrusts, namely:
1. Research
2. Education and Training
3. Infrastructure
4. Public Understanding of Science
SCOPE OF THIS CALL
1. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Applications dealing with research on animal (excluding humans)/ plant/
fungal/ protozoan and microbial (bacteria and viruses) systematics will be considered
on a competitive basis for funding in 2011. The research must primarily focus on
groups occurring in South Africa.
To qualify for SABI funding in 2011, research applications must meet the
following entry-level hurdles (i.e. minimum compulsory requirements) in
addition to the assessment hurdles as detailed in the guidelines:
 joint participation by researchers based at South African museums/
herbaria/ microbial collection facilities (either as the principal
investigator or co-investigator) and researchers based at universities in
South Africa must be evident;
 the significance of the taxon or study area (for biodiversity inventories/
biogeographic studies) must be clearly motivated. This must include
aspects that have explicit and direct links to economic, environmental
and societal needs e.g. medical, agricultural, veterinary importance, or
importance in terms of ecosystem services or importance in terms of
biodiversity conservation value - phylogenetic uniqueness, endemism,
or in terms of developing our understanding of evolutionary processes
contributing to our biodiversity.
In addition, the research must focus on at least one of the following:
 Biodiversity inventories which are associated with either a taxonomic or
biogeographic goal, poorly collected or under-studied geographic
regions, or for overt conservation purposes. These applications should,
however, be posed in a clearly articulated scientific context, and
include an indication of efforts to be undertaken to address the
taxonomic impediment associated with identifying the samples
gathered, and / or a clear statement of how the collections are to be
identified and housed in perpetuity.
 Studies that clearly integrate systematic / taxonomic data with existing
or currently active Biodiversity / Conservation Management plans (as
mandated by the Biodiversity Act of 2004) and / or conservation
planning exercises. In such cases, collaborators in the conservation
sector must be clearly stated in the application.
 Morphological and molecular systematics on significant taxa of South
Africa's biodiversity (priority will be given to those which are neglected
or those that have an explicit and direct link to human health,
agriculture or some other aspect of societal needs, outside of
theoretical knowledge development. Genetic studies aimed at
understanding species complexes and/ or cryptic species will be
considered, but strong motivation must be given as to the need for
such research in relation to improving existing classification,
nomenclature, or identification of taxa.
 Biogeographic studies on significant taxa (priority will be given to those
which are neglected), and/or biogeographic studies that bring together
data from various sources into a synthetic or comparative analysis
which will have significant impact on the systematic and conservation
of the region’s biodiversity. This one overlaps to some extent with the
first two.
 Phylogenetic and/ or phylogeographic studies that are relevant to
taxonomic revisions, and are directly associated with systematic
hypotheses and / or taxonomic products.
 Descriptive/ revisionary/ monographic research on significant taxa.
Priority will be given to those which have an explicit and direct link to
human health, agriculture or some other aspect of societal needs.
Excluded are:
 Population level genetic studies where the population structure and/or gene
flow between populations is of a single species.
 Single species genetic studies that do not directly inform / contribute to
improving existing classification, or nomenclature, or identification of taxa.
Given that this SABI call is for systematics research, only studies in which systematics
research constitutes more than 75% of the proposal for which funding is being
applied will be considered. Although collaboration with projects in which the
systematic outputs are used is strongly encouraged and favoured, SABI will only fund
the systematic research component of the broader project. Researchers should apply
to other potential sources of funding for the non-SABI funded aspects.
2. FUNDING FOR THE PRODUCTION OF IDENTIFICATION KEYS
SABI recognises that there is a strong need to disseminate the research
findings hence it is providing funding for the production of identification keys,
especially those that use technology such as online electronic keys.
Identification key formats which will be supported include:
 online annotated image rich dichotomous keys
 online interactive dichotomous keys
 online dynamic, matrix based keys e.g. those generated using Lucid or Delta.
3. EDUCATION AND TRAINING (SABI BURSARIES AND POSTDOCTORAL
FELLOWSHIPS) THRUST
Please contact Sandra Dewberry in the Postgarduate Funding Office
(sandra.dewberry@uct.ac.za; x 5075) for further information about the SABI
bursary and postdoctoral fellowship scheme, and also about the international
travel awards for students.
ELIGIBILITY
The following are eligible to apply for SABI funding:
 Full time employees at an NRF recognised research institution in South Africa
 Part-time employees on contract at an NRF recognised research institution in
South Africa, but on condition that the appointment 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
the research institution and the primary employment of the individual
concerned must be at that institution. A contract researcher appointed at a
university or university of technology on behalf of a third party to fulfil a very
specific function for the latter does not qualify for support
 Rated and Unrated researchers are eligible to submit applications. Successful
applicants will be eligible for funding for up to three years. Candidates, who
wish to apply for further funding after the completion of a funding cycle, will
have to submit a new proposal
 Retired researchers provided that:
o there must be demonstration of institutional support in the form of an
employment contract, office space, administrative support, access to
research equipment and space. The institution will have to ensure that
a minimum of six months are spent at the facility for the purpose of
research and research capacity development; and
o the researcher must have a research publication track record and must
be actively supervising postgraduate students (at the time of
application).
WHAT CAN BE FUNDED?
 grantholder-linked student support
 research-related operating costs
 sabbatical funding
 staff development grants
 funding to cater for disabilities
 research equipment
APPLICATION PROCESS & DEADLINES
Applications for research project funding are web-based, and must be submitted
electronically via the NRF’s online system: http://nrfinterim.nrf.ac.za within the
deadline period. Please select the “Knowledge Fields Development (KFD)” Call under
“Create New Application”. In addition to completing the online application form at
the afore-mentioned url, applicants are also required to update their CV’s at
http://nrfonline.nrf.ac.za. This too needs to be completed on or before the deadline
date.
Please note that where the applicant has specified the participation of one or more
co-investigators in the project, proof of participation by the co-investigator/ s is
required. This proof takes the form of a signed letter (from the co-investigator/s),
which should be uploaded as an additional attachment to the application (at
http://nrfinterim.nrf.ac.za)
Applications for the production of identification keys are paper-based: application
forms are available from Haajirah Esau (haajirah.esau@uct.ac.za) in UCT’s Research
Office
Late applications will not be considered. The INTERNAL DEADLINE for the submission
of applications is Thursday, 19 August 2010.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, application guidelines and framework, and/ or assistance,
please contact:
Haajirah Esau:
haajirah.esau@uct.ac.za, x 2431 or
Essie Thomas:
estrelita.thomas@uct.ac.za, x 5204
Circular approved by:
Dr Marilet Sienaert
Director: Research Office