Call for Proposal – 1st BRICS STI Framework Programme Innovation Call 2025

Overview of the Opportunity

The purpose of this BRICS STI Framework Programme special action is to build up new cooperative ties for high-tech and innovation-driven institutions within BRICS, in pursuance of the XVI BRICS Summit Kazan Declaration. This initiative acts as a critical catalyst for economic development and an improved quality of life for people across the BRICS nations by allocating funding for research and development (R&D).

The BRICS STI Framework Programme Member Organisations invite applicants from member countries, specifically targeting Researchers, Innovators, SMMEs, and Universities. The core requirement is the establishment of partnerships involving at least two BRICS countries. The joint application for funding must include at least two principal parties: one from South Africa and one from any other participating BRICS Member Organization. Both parties must be legally registered entities in line with the prescribed legislations of their respective countries.

South Africa's participation in this call is managed by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).

The call supports multinational R&D projects that address societal challenges through innovation. These projects must be based on validated, scalable, and demonstrated technologies and focus on technology maturation, commercialisation, and market deployment across all technology areas.

Projects can run for up to 3 years.

This is a two-stage application process:

1. Stage 1: National Funding Application: Applicants must submit a national funding application to their respective national funding body. For TIA applications (South Africa), the completed form must be submitted via email to tia-brics@tia.org.za.

2. Stage 2: Joint Application Form (JAF): Applicants must also submit the Joint Application Form (JAF) to the BRICS STI FP Secretariat via the online application submission tool, the BRICS STI Framework Programme Application Management System (BRICS AMS).

The programme commenced on 28 August 2025. The closing date is 05 November 2025. 

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For TIA applications, complete application form on: https://www.tia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BRICS-Joint-Call-Application-Form.docx