The National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa's Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) invite joint research proposals under the Italy–South Africa Joint Research Programme (ISARP) for the 2027–2029 period.

The programme supports bilateral scientific and technological cooperation between South African and Italian research institutions through jointly developed research projects. It aims to strengthen international research collaboration, develop scientific capacity, encourage the participation of early-career researchers, and promote knowledge exchange, innovation and the application of research results.

Proposals must be submitted under one of three priority research areas and must involve research partners from both countries. Successful projects will run for three years, from 2027 to 2029.

Funding and Support

• South African project budget: Maximum of R1.5 million over three years, equivalent to R500,000 per year, including institutional co-funding.
• Italian project budget: Approximately €60,000–€65,000 per year, including institutional co-funding.
• Funding model: Bilateral joint research projects co-funded by the participating countries.
• Project duration: Three years (2027–2029).

Eligible South African research expenses may include research-related costs, small equipment, consumables, postdoctoral research support, mini research sabbaticals for young researchers, and science engagement.

Travel costs must be calculated according to the relevant institutional policies and applicable regulations. Additional funding will not be provided by the NRF under this programme, so researchers and their institutions should plan for any funding shortfalls.

Purpose and Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Promote joint scientific research and technological cooperation between Italy and South Africa.
• Strengthen research capacity and human capital development.
• Encourage collaboration between research institutions in both countries.
• Support early-career researchers and meaningful participation by researchers from historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs) in South Africa.
• Promote knowledge exchange, dissemination of research results and technology transfer.
• Encourage research with practical applications, socioeconomic relevance and potential industrial impact.

Priority Areas or Scope of Work

Proposals must address one of the following three priority research areas.

1. Frontier Digital Technologies and Data-Intensive Sciences

Areas include artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, quantum technologies, astrophysics and radio astronomy. AI applications with clear societal benefits, including social and rural development applications, are particularly encouraged.

2. Health, Biotechnologies and One Health

Areas include medical, agricultural, industrial, environmental and marine biotechnologies; infectious diseases; pandemic prevention and preparedness; vaccines; and enabling technologies.

3. Sustainability, Biodiversity and Community Resilience

Areas include renewable energy, community energy solutions, ecosystem protection, sustainable wildlife management, biodiversity monitoring and restoration, climate resilience, and circular economy approaches.

Proposals addressing research areas outside these three priorities will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

South African applicants

The call is open to researchers affiliated with South African universities, public research institutions or recognised science councils.

The South African Principal Investigator (PI) must:

• Be employed full-time by an eligible South African institution for the entire project duration.
• Be in good standing with the NRF and meet the relevant institutional eligibility requirements for research leadership.
• Submit the proposal through the applicable NRF or DSTI channels.
• Submit only one proposal as Principal Investigator.
• Ensure compliance with applicable South African intellectual property regulations.

Additional requirements include:

• Proposals must have a duration of three years, covering 2027–2029.
• Joint proposals must be submitted to both the South African and Italian authorities under the same priority research area.
• Proposals submitted to only one of the two parties, or under different priority areas by the collaborating PIs, will be excluded.
• Proposals led by a PI at a historically advantaged institution must include a research partner from an HDI or one of South Africa's two new universities. The HDI partner may serve as a co-applicant and must hold a PhD.
• Private companies and for-profit entities cannot apply as coordinators but may participate as collaborators or stakeholders.

The eight recognised HDIs are the University of Limpopo, University of Fort Hare, University of Venda, Walter Sisulu University, University of the Western Cape, University of Zululand, Mangosuthu University of Technology and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. South Africa's two new universities are the University of Mpumalanga and Sol Plaatje University.

Italian applicants

The call is open to public or private non-profit research institutions. Italian Principal Investigators must meet the nationality, residence and institutional employment requirements specified in the call guidelines.

Joint application requirements

Applications must be written in English, comply with the requirements of both participating countries, and include all compulsory documentation. Each PI may submit only one proposal.

Geographic Scope

Bilateral collaboration between South Africa and Italy. Research teams must establish a joint project involving eligible research partners from both countries.

Important Dates

• Call opening date: 14 October 2026
• South African applicant closing date: 3 December 2026
• South African designated authority closing date: 11 December 2026
• Italian submission deadline: 25 November 2026 at 14:00 Central European Time (CET)

Application Process

South African applicants

Applications must be submitted online through NRF Connect under the Research Grants category.

Applicants should:

1. Consult the ISARP call guidelines and the applicable NRF application guidance.
2. Develop a joint research proposal with an eligible Italian partner.
3. Select one of the three priority research areas and ensure that both partners select the same area.
4. Prepare the compulsory supporting documents in PDF format, in the required order:
   • CVs of partner Principal Investigators.
   • Budgets of partner Principal Investigators.
   • Budget breakdown for the South African team, including funding allocation between historically advantaged institutions and HDIs, where applicable.
   • A brief description of the scientific role, work packages and responsibilities assigned to HDI partners, where applicable.
5. Submit the South African application through NRF Connect by 3 December 2026.

Applications must be submitted through an online application process to the NRF through the link: https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za

The Italian partner must submit the corresponding proposal through the Italian Ministry's designated online system, following the Italian submission requirements and deadline.

Italian Party
• Proposals shall be submitted exclusively online, by filling in the dedicated forms at the following link: https://granderilevanza.esteri.it

For any inquiry concerning the present call, please contact: dgce11.bandi3@esteri.it

Failure to submit compulsory documents or meet the eligibility requirements may result in disqualification of the application and the entire consortium.

Industry / Sector

Research and development; scientific and technological cooperation; digital technologies; artificial intelligence; health and biotechnology; renewable energy; biodiversity; environmental sustainability; community resilience.