South Africa

The Genomics in Context Awards 2026 support transdisciplinary research teams working at the intersection of genomics, humanities, social sciences and bioethics. These awards are designed to catalyse bold, discovery-led research agendas that integrate diverse disciplinary expertise and wider societal stakeholders from the earliest stages of research design.

IBM has opened applications for the IBM Impact Accelerator - Education and Workforce Development Cohort 2026, a global, two-year collaborative programme designed to support organizations developing practical, human-centered solutions that expand access to education and workforce opportunities.

The programme invites proposals focused on strengthening learning systems, improving career navigation pathways, and building resilient workforce ecosystems. While AI-driven solutions are strongly encouraged, the core selection criterion remains measurable community impact.

The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) has opened applications for the 2026 Collaborative Research Programme (CRP) – ICGEB Research Grants, a long-standing international funding mechanism designed to support high-quality, original research projects in ICGEB Member States.

Established in 1988, the CRP programme aims to:

Applications are now open for the 2026 SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards, a national funding and business support programme aimed at strengthening early-stage social innovations that address systemic barriers faced by vulnerable and underserved communities in South Africa.

The programme supports entrepreneurs, social enterprises, institutions, and innovators whose products, services, technologies, or business models respond to real socio-economic challenges affecting:

The Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) has launched a targeted funding call to support the growth, expansion, and competitiveness of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating within the manufacturing sector and its subsectors in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

The Northern Cape Innovation Forum (NCIF) is calling for applications for its Innovator of the Month campaign, which recognises individuals and MSMEs with impactful, innovation‑driven ideas or projects in their community or industry. Winners gain visibility across NCIF platforms, automatic access to the RSIP/CSIR Annual Innovation Competition (ARIC/RSIP Regional Innovation Challenge) pipeline, and may become eligible for up to R150 000 in innovation support funding and mentorship through the NCIF Innovation Support and Mentorship Programme.

Eligible countries

The SASUF–NRF Seed Grants fund 2‑year collaborative research projects that link academia, industry and society in South Africa and Sweden, with a strong focus on real‑world impact and researcher mobility.

The SASUF–NRF Seed Grants are part of the SASUF+ (2025–2028) phase and are implemented jointly by the South Africa Sweden University Forum (SASUF) and South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF). The programme supports interdisciplinary, cross-country consortia working across four priority themes:

The Local AIMday Grants support the organisation of Academic Industry Meeting Days (AIMdays) within the South Africa–Sweden University Forum (SASUF) network. AIMday is a structured dialogue format where researchers meet with industry, government and civil society to discuss concrete, real‑world challenges and explore opportunities for collaboration.