The Government of Kenya and the Republic of South Africa signed an Agreement for cooperation in science and technology in August 2004. The two countries have decided to jointly support researchers from public universities and public research institutes on an equal and mutually beneficial basis in an effort to enhance scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries. In 2009 the joint S&T Research supported 6 research projects which are still on-going. Only 5 projects will be funded in 2010.

In this year, Joint research project proposals shall be submitted to the relevant authorities in both countries for evaluation (the National Council for Science and Technology in Kenya and the National Research Foundation in South Africa). Evaluation will be done according to the following criteria:

• Scientific and technical merit;
• Impact on bilateral science and technology relations;
• Significance for both countries;
• Potential for creating research and development capacity;
• Quality and clarity of project presentation;
• Methodology; and
• Suitability and feasibility

 For the purposes of this call, research projects falling within the following areas/disciplines will be considered:

• Biosciences (food, agriculture biotechnology, health and indigenous knowledge)
• Space Science (Astronomy & earth observation)
• Water management (Harvesting, purification and water resource mapping)

Successful projects will be funded up to a maximum amount of R300, 000 (Ksh 3,000,000) per project of which R150 000 should be the SA budget component and (R150 000 in Kenyan Shillings), the Kenyan component for a period not exceeding two years. Researchers should therefore note that two separate budgets would be required from each side. Researchers should take note that they will be responsible for their own international travel, subsistence and accommodation.

Funding may only be utilized for the following items:

• Flight tickets;
• Accommodation;
• Subsistence;
• Consumables; and
• Publication costs

The joint application for funding must include two Principal Investigators. Researchers. The SA applicant must be employed at a recognised higher education or research institution such as a university, university of technology or science council in South Africa. Researchers from both countries must be in possession of a PhD. The Principal Investigators will be responsible for the scientific and financial reporting, as well as other technical and administrative co-ordination of the project. They will also be required to submit an annual and final report to their respective funding agencies upon completion of the project. Researchers employed at private companies will not be allowed to apply under this programme.

Application forms for proposal submission may be obtained from the National Council for Science and Technology (www.ncst.go.ke) for Kenyan applicants and from the National Research Foundation in South Africa (www.nrf.ac.za) for our South African applicants. Submissions should include Curriculum Vitaes of the Principal Investigators and. must be received by 18^th September, 2010 via e-mail. Signatures may either be signed electronically or scanned. Please ensure that the partner’s signed page is attached which may be a faxed or scanned copy.

Electronic copies must be submitted to the e-mail addresses below, to the respective country of the researcher. The SA application, together with the scanned signature page must be emailed directly to Seymour@nrf.ac.za

No Kenyan application will be accepted in SA.

Kindly note that budget availability and proposals with a high evaluation rating are extremely important factors in determining the success of an application. No hard copies will be accepted.

Researchers must ensure that applications have been submitted in both countries. Applications that do not adhere to this criterion will be disqualified.

For further information, please contact:

The Secretary,

National Council for Science and Technology
P.O. Box 30623-00100

NAIROBI

Website: www.ncst.go.ke

E-mail: stifund@ncst.go.ke

Research Grants Division

Mr Said S. Hussein

Telephone: +254 20 2241349

Fax: +254 20 2213215

Email: husaid59@yahoo.com

AND

National Research Foundation (NRF)
PO Box 2600
0001 PRETORIA
South Africa

NRF website: www.nrf.ac.za

Programme related enquiries

Mr Michael Nxumalo
E-mail: michael@nrf.ac.za
Tel: +27 12 481 4011
Fax: +27 12 481 4044

Grant and technical related enquiries

Ms Lee-Anne Seymour

E-mail: seymour@nrf.ac.za

Tel: +27 481 4121

Fax: 0866 399 571

Download the call here.

Download the application form here.

 Print This Article  Email This Article