Call for proposals for industry-led research and development projects in additive manufacturing
The CPAM Industry Led R&D Projects call funds collaborative additive manufacturing projects between South African industry and research partners, with grants of R500,000–R800,000 per project per year and compulsory co‑investment from industry.
Opportunity overview
The Collaborative Program in Additive Manufacturing (CPAM) Phase 4 – Industry Led R&D Projects supports the implementation of the South African Additive Manufacturing Strategy by helping industry to de‑risk and adopt AM as an advanced manufacturing technology. The call targets industry–HEI/science council collaborations to develop AM processes, hardware and post‑/pre‑processing solutions, including procedure qualification and manufacturing process implementation for specific parts.
Projects must be industry led, with the industrial partner as lead applicant (or co‑applicant if the research partner submits), acting as a “lead user” and demonstrating a clear commitment to co‑funding and co‑development as an indicator of adoption. Each proposal must involve at least one South African higher education institution or science council with AM R&D capacity; proposals without a HEI/science council partner are ineligible.
Eligible applicants and countries
This programme is part of the implementation of the South African Additive Manufacturing Strategy and is intended for South African‑based industry and research partners. Eligible applicants are:
- Industry partners (preferably private‑sector companies) operating in sectors where AM can be applied, acting as lead users and lead applicants or co‑applicants.
- South African higher education institutions (HEIs) with AM research capability.
- South African science councils involved in AM R&D.
Projects may be structured as postgraduate research projects (Masters/Doctoral) but must primarily address a clear industry‑driven AM research question along the AM technology value chain (materials, processes, pre/post‑processing, qualification, design, etc.). The programme’s focus and delivery mechanisms imply that participation is effectively limited to South African organisations, with South Africa as the eligible country for funding.
Funding, scope and duration
Allowable annual CPAM funding per project is R500,000 to R800,000, excluding the compulsory industry co‑investment. Co‑investment from the industrial partner (or participating R&D institution) should ideally match the CPAM contribution and may be in‑kind (e.g. own labour costs, sponsored bursaries, materials, access to facilities) but must be clearly quantified; proposals without clear co‑investment may be disqualified.
Supported cost categories include:
- Labour costs for project execution for industry and CSIR participants.
- Postgraduate student support (if used):
- Doctoral: R250,000/year (R170,000 bursary + R80,000 for materials/testing).
- Masters: R180,000/year (R120,000 bursary + R60,000 for materials/testing).
- Materials and AM/3D printing for prototypes.
- Testing costs (up to R100,000/year).
- Other project costs, including local travel and conference attendance.
Capital equipment and computer purchases are not eligible. Project duration can be between 6 and 18 months, depending on scope and deliverables.
Key dates and application process
For the 2026 Industry Led R&D Projects call, the indicative timeline is:
- Call opens: 21 January 2026
- Call closes: 21 February 2026
- Outcome notification: approximately 4–6 weeks after closing date
- Contracting completed by: end April 2026
- First annual progress report due: 28 February 2027 (submission by 24 March 2027)
The call is managed by the CSIR Photonics Centre – National Programmes group. Application templates are disseminated via the CSIR website, CSIR Photonics Centre and RAPDASA contact databases and social media channels. Completed proposals must be submitted by email to the CSIR Photonics Centre National Programs project office at:
Applicants are encouraged to contact the CSIR Photonics Centre for guidance and support when preparing substantial, comprehensive proposals that can be fairly peer‑reviewed.
Intellectual property and assessment
IP management depends on the funding model agreed between the industry and research partners, and all IP is subject to the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 2008 (Act 51 of 2008). For co‑funded projects (Model B), the research institution (HEI/CSIR) owns the IP and the industry partner receives a commercial licence (with possible royalty discounts, exclusivity or royalty holidays based on contribution and milestones).
Proposals are screened for eligibility by CPAM management and then evaluated by an independent CPAM review panel (industry, university and international experts) using criteria such as:
- R&D quality and novelty in the South African context (20%) and technology readiness (15%).
- Commercial attractiveness and high‑level business case/ROI (20%).
- Project management plan quality (15%).
- Human capital development potential (15%).
- Committed outputs such as technology demonstrators, prototypes, and process documents (15%).
Strong proposals clearly articulate the research question, management plan (with Gantt chart), commercialisation route, team competencies, planned knowledge outputs and postgraduate student involvement (with explicit titles, supervisors and demographic considerations).
Date and contact details for the portal
- Date opened: 21 January 2026
- Closing date: 21 February 2026
Contact details for your opportunity
- Primary contact person: CPAM Industry Led R&D Projects – CSIR Photonics Centre National Programs Project Office
Email address of the primary contact person: hgreyling@csir.co.za and nlcrentalpool@csir.co.za
Click HERE to visit the official website.