Call for Proposals: Circular Economy Demonstration Fund

The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is pleased to announce an Open Call for Proposals for Circular Economy Demonstration Projects commencing in January 2026. 

The South African Circular Economy Demonstration Fund, is an initiative of the Government of South Africa, implemented through Circular Innovation South Africa (CISA). The Fund is aimed at demonstrating proven circular economy interventions that have not yet achieved scale or impact in South Africa. The demonstration of which will assist in fast-tracking the uptake of these circular economy interventions in the private sector and contribute to South Africa’s transition to a more circular economy. The intention of the fund is to partner private sector organisations (e.g., business, industry) with research institutions, to support the private sector organization in de-risking, scaling, localising, or demonstrating a circular intervention (i.e., a circular technological, social or business innovation).

Research themes
The Circular Economy Demonstration Fund aims to directly support projects aligned with one or more of the circular economy principles –
• Eliminate waste and pollution
• Keep products and materials in use at their highest value
• Regenerate natural systems
Applicants may consider demonstration projects in any of the following sectors –
• Agriculture
• Human settlements
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Mobility
Including cross-cutting interventions in energy and water.

Eligibility criteria

• Eligible applicants
  Only researchers employed by South African Universities, Science Councils and other public research institutions, working in relevant disciplines, are invited to submit proposals for the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund. 
  Businesses, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), other private sector organizations are NOT eligible to apply directly to the Demonstration Fund. Only one proposal per lead applicant (Principal Investigator), will be accepted. A lead institution (University or Science Council) may submit more than one proposal for consideration.
• Experience
  The lead applicant (Principal Investigator), from a South African University, Science Council or other public research institution, must be qualified to undertake the demonstration project and should be an expert in the subject matter referenced in the proposal. Typically, this would involve full-time faculty at an academic or research institution. 

Proposals must be submitted electronically via email here on the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund grant proposal template (issued with this call).