NRF SGCI-STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call 2026 | Up to R1.5 Million Funding
African-Led Research Collaboration Opportunity for South African Researchers
The National Research Foundation (NRF) invites South African researchers to apply for the SGCI-STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call, offering up to R1.5 million over three years for collaborative research addressing Africa's development challenges. Apply before 25 September 2026.
About the Organizer
The National Research Foundation (NRF) is South Africa's premier public research funding agency, established to promote and support research across all fields of knowledge. The NRF plays a critical role in advancing the country's research and innovation agenda .
The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) is a multilateral initiative launched in 2015 to enhance the capacities of Science Granting Councils across sub-Saharan Africa to support research and evidence-informed policymaking that contributes to economic and social development . The SGCI has grown to include 20 African countries and is supported by international partners including IDRC, the Government of Norway, the UK's FCDO, Wellcome, and the African Union Development Agency .
About the Programme
The SGCI-STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call invites South African researchers to form or join multi-country African research consortia addressing the priorities of the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 (STISA-2034) .
The call supports collaborative research that advances inclusive, Africa-led science and innovation systems; generates evidence for policy and development impact; and strengthens collaboration across institutions and countries . Through this call, SGCI aims to support a cohort of flagship research projects that produce new knowledge and innovations, contribute to national and regional development priorities, and strengthen Africa's science, technology and innovation ecosystem .
Quick Highlights
Particulars
Details
Programme Name
SGCI-STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call
Organizer
National Research Foundation (NRF) in partnership with SGCI
Opportunity Type
Research Funding
Funding Amount
Up to R1.5 million per successful South African consortium member over 3 years
Eligible Applicants
South African researchers affiliated with recognised public higher education or research institutions
Location
Multi-country African Research Consortia
Duration
Up to 3 Years
Deadline
25 September 2026 at 23:59 EDT
Status
Expressions of Interest Open
Opportunity Overview
Particulars
Details
Host Organization
National Research Foundation (NRF)
Programme
SGCI-STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call
Programme Type
Multilateral Research Funding
Funding Category
Up to R1.5 million per consortium member
Eligible Applicants
South African researchers at public higher education or research institutions
Location
African Research Consortia (minimum 3 countries)
Application Mode
Expression of Interest (EOI) via online portal
Programme Benefit
Benefit
Details
Research Funding
Up to R1.5 million over a three-year period per successful South African consortium member
Collaborative Network
Join a multi-country African research consortium
Policy Impact
Generate evidence for policymaking and development impact
Capacity Building
Strengthen research capacity and institutional partnerships
International Exposure
Collaborate with researchers from across Africa
STISA-2034 Alignment
Contribute to the African Union's continental science and innovation agenda
Research Freedom
Research across five priority thematic areas aligned with continental priorities
Research Themes
Thematic Area
Focus Areas
Agriculture
Food and nutritional security; climate-smart systems; value addition; resilient food production
Health
Emergency preparedness; One Health surveillance; public health innovation; nutrition; traditional medicine; health systems strengthening
ICT and Artificial Intelligence
AI applications and skills development; digital technologies; connectivity solutions; entrepreneurship; digital inclusion
Energy
Access to affordable and reliable energy; renewable energy; storage; efficiency; local manufacturing; just transition
Contact Mr Themba Ngomane at t.ngomane@risa.nrf.ac.za
FAQs
Question
Answer
What is the SGCI-STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call?
A funding call for collaborative, multi-country African research projects aligned with the African Union's STISA-2034 priorities
Who can apply as Principal Investigator?
South African researchers/scientists (citizens or permanent residents) residing in South Africa and affiliated with recognised public higher education or research institutions
Can NGOs or private companies apply as PI?
No, but they can participate as consortium members and must fund their own participation
What is the funding amount?
Up to R1.5 million over three years per successful South African consortium member
What are the research themes?
Agriculture, Health, ICT/AI, Energy, and Environment
What is the application deadline?
25 September 2026 at 23:59 EDT
Do I need to include Historically Disadvantaged Institutions?
Yes, historically disadvantaged institutions must form part of the project consortium
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The SGCI-STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call represents a significant opportunity for South African researchers to participate in African-led research collaborations addressing the continent's most pressing development challenges. The call is part of a broader US$42 million SGCI initiative supported by international donors including Canada, the UK, Norway, Germany, and Wellcome .
This funding opportunity is particularly suitable for researchers who can demonstrate strong collaborative networks across African institutions. The requirement to include Historically Disadvantaged Institutions aligns with South Africa's transformation agenda and offers opportunities for capacity building . With funding of up to R1.5 million over three years, successful projects can achieve meaningful research impact .
The competition is expected to be significant given the continental scope and multilateral funding support. Researchers should start forming consortia early and make use of the matchmaking platform to identify suitable partners . We recommend attending the information webinars scheduled for July and August 2026 to understand the full requirements .
Best Opportunity For
Category
Suitable
South African Researchers
Ideal for those affiliated with public higher education or research institutions
Interdisciplinary Teams
Suitable for collaborative research across multiple disciplines
African Research Networks
Perfect for researchers with existing continental partnerships
Policy-Relevant Research
Great for those whose work can inform policy and development
Competition Level
Category
Level
SGCI-STISA 2034 Call
High
CareerFlora Recommendation
Recommendation Area
Details
Overall Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Funding Opportunity
Excellent – substantial multi-year research funding
Collaborative Value
High – opportunity to build continental research networks
Policy Impact
Significant – contribute to African Union's STISA-2034 agenda
Capacity Building
Valuable – strengthen research systems and institutional partnerships
Apply Early
Begin identifying collaborators now and attend the information webinars. Use the matchmaking platform to find consortium partners. Ensure you include Historically Disadvantaged Institutions in your consortium. Good luck with your application!
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