Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers (CSUR) in South Africa (Call for Applications - 2011-13)

Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers

Course(s) Offered: Any field
Course: Graduate research
Provider: National Research Foundation
Country to Study in: South Africa

Scholarship Description
The Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers (CSUR) Programme falls within the Knowledge Fields Development (KFD) Directorate of the National Research Foundation (NRF).

The various programmes and initiatives within the KFD are aimed at contributing to the promotion and support of research.

Its specific role is to facilitate the advancement of the frontiers of existing and the development of new fields of knowledge, and the necessary associated research capacity within the context of national research and developmental challenges and strategic initiatives.

Eligibility
The following will apply:

• Active researchers with no NRF rating.
• Applicants may be of any nationality.
• Employed at a publicly funded South African University, Museum, Science Council, National Laboratory, NRF National Facility or any other NRF approved research institution on a full-time permanent or full-time contract basis. The contract appointment should be for at least the duration of the funding period of the project.
• Involvement of women, black and disabled researchers and students within the proposed project is highly encouraged.
• All applicants’ proposals must be endorsed by the Designated Authority of their employing institution.

Eligible groups
Citizens of ANY nationality may apply

Participating Institutions
The National Research Foundation of South Africa’s; AND
All publicly funded or NRF approved institutions in South Africa.

Fields of study
Research may be in ANY discipline. However, basic research in the fields of the Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences are principally supported

Number of awards
Not specified by the NRF

Sponsorship duration
Funding will support successful applications for a maximum period of three years (2011 -­ 2013)

Scholarship benefits
Support will cover:

• Research materials and supplies (consumables).
• Grantholder-­linked Student Support.
• Provision of staff development grants for staff members, other than the applicant, who will obtain a Masters or Doctoral degree by participating in the grant holder’s NRF/CSUR funded project, and who are (co-­) supervised by the applicant.
• Research instrumentation or equipment. The maximum contribution from the NRF will be R200000 (two hundred thousand Rand), once in a 3-­year cycle. Requests for more expensive equipment should be forwarded to the Infrastructure Funding Instruments (IFIs) at NRF.
• One local conference per annum for the applicant, and/or team member through the project, to present a paper or poster.
• One conference abroad per annum. Support for attendance of a conference abroad in subsequent years will be considered only if the paper presented in the preceding year has been published in a peer reviewed publication.
• No application with a total research-­ operating budget requested of less than R 25000 (twenty five thousand Rand) per annum will be considered for funding by the NRF.
• Local travel for research purposes, e.g. field visits, use of research facilities, etc.
• Sabbatical and study visits, both local and abroad.
• Visiting scientists.
• Ad Hoc research/technical assistance.

Method of Application
All applications are to be submitted to the NRF via their website or by mail.

Please visit the official NRF website (link to it is below) for detailed information on this Application Call, and also on how to apply to it.

DEADLINES:
All applications must be received by the NRF on or before July 30th 2011

PLEASE NOTE:
South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) is the intermediary agency between the policies and strategies of the Government of South Africa and South Africa's research institutions.

It was established on 1 April 1999 as an autonomous statutory body in accordance with the National Research Foundation Act.

The NRF has three main functions:

• to support research and innovation, through its agency, Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA);
• to encourage an interest in science and technology through its business unit, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA);
• to facilitate high-end research through its National Research Facilities (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity; Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory; iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences; South African Astronomical Observatory; Hermanus Magnetic Observatory; National Zoological Gardens of South Africa)

Application Deadline: 30 July 2011
Open for International Students: Yes

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Related: List of Scholarships in South Africa for International Students