DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (DST), GOVERNMENT OF INDIA & NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

INDIA - SOUTH AFRICA JOINT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COOPERATION CALL FOR JOINT PROJECT PROPOSALS 2013
DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: JULY 05, 2013 Within the framework of the agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the governments of the Republic of India and the Republic of South Africa signed in Pretoria on 19 July 1995 and renewed in 2007, the Joint Committee meeting was held in 15 November 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa. Under this framework of cooperation we are pleased to announce the call for joint research project proposals between South African and Indian scientists / researchers, and invite scientists/ researchers of the two countries wishing to participate, to submit their joint proposals by the indicated due date. Who may apply? South African Applicants must reside in South Africa and be full-time employed researchers at a recognised higher education or research institution such as a university, university of technology, national facility or science council. The South African principal investigator should preferably possess a PhD. Applications must designate the primary Indian counterpart in collaboration with whom joint research or networking is to be undertaken. Indian applicants should be scientists/ faculty members working in regular capacity in universities, academic institutes and national research and development laboratories/ institutes. The Indian Principal Investigator (PI) should not be retiring or leaving the parent institute during the proposed duration of the project. The Principal Investigators (PIs) on the two sides will bear full responsibility for the project, including its technical and administrative coordination as well as scientific and financial reporting. How do I apply? Indian and South African applicants shall write a common application to be submitted to both DST and NRF. The common application must be written in English.

Application forms for South African applicants may be downloaded electronically from the NRF website www.nrf.ac.za. Kindly email an electronic copy of the South African application and the scanned signature page to: Ms Puleng Tshitlho National Research Foundation Puleng.tshitlho@nrf.ac.za No hard copies will be accepted on the South African side and will be automatically disqualified by the NRF. Indian applicants for funding should submit completed application form and all relevant, clearly labeled attachments in a single email to the email address: jain.s@nic.in to reach by 5:30 pm on 05 July 2013. An email acknowledging receipt of the application will be provided to the applicant in 3-5 working days. They are also requested to submit three hard copies to DST by 10th July 2013. It should be ensured that application with identical title has been submitted by his / her South African counterpart scientist with NRF by due date (Indian side). Only applications endorsed by the competent authority will be accepted. The onus is on the applicant to find their own research partner. Proposals must be received in both South Africa and India. Proposals which have only been received in either South Africa or India, but not both, will not be considered for funding. The call process is highly competitive; therefore submission of an application does not guarantee funding. The availability of funds and the evaluation of applications from both countries should be positive for them to be funded. The NRF and DST will not be held responsible for non-submission of the application in the partner country. Identified research priority areas For the purposes of this call, research projects falling within the following areas/disciplines will be considered: Astronomy & Astrophysics Indigenous Knowledge Systems Green Chemistry Biotechnology and Health Sciences

Funding Modalities Basically, each selected project will be funded for a period of three years. However, projects of both sides must pass the annual evaluation in each country for continuation of funding. To facilitate the objective of the Project, the manpower cost, consumables and minor accessories, research expenses, project related visits of Indian and South African researchers to the counterpart country may be supported. This funding will cover the following expenses in connection with a project: Support for research expenses: Expenditure by project team in their country would be borne by the respective country, i.e., DST in India would support expenditure on Indian side of the project whereas NRF would meet

the expenditure of South African side. Participating Indian institutions are responsible for expenses regarding equipment. A maximum of 30% of the budget may be allowed for consumables and accessories. Participation of Research students would be encouraged. On the Indian Fellowship to one students (JRF/SRF/RA) can be supported. No fellowships will be supported on the SA side. Support for Exchange visit component: The sending side will provide round-trip economy-class airfare to the relevant entry city of the host country as well as medical insurance. The sending side will also provide accommodation and living expenses, i.e., transportation including pick-up service to and from the airport, food, etc. Two flights per year with a maximum of one month stay at a time will be allowed; Local travel and fees relating to the organisation of joint scientific events (venue, catering, audio-visual equipment etc.) will be the financial responsibility of the investigator representing the country in which the event is held, to be paid from his/her allocation of the joint funding accorded; Institutional Overhead: Institutional Overhead will be determined in accordance with specific R&D program regulation of Indian and South African governments. While the exact nature of expenditure is not fixed, the following may not be funded from this allocation: consultants fees, educational expenses, insurance and medical care, large equipment, project management fees, temporary staff fees, etc.

In both countries, all the approved projects will get funding support from the two parties in terms of the cost of exchange of experts, scientists and other specialists unless specified otherwise by the two parties. Besides, each party may provide additional research funds to some/all of the approved projects based on its internal evaluation of the projects.. Researchers will only be allowed to apply for one activity / project. Researchers who are currently being funded under the SA/India programme are not eligible to apply. How much should I apply for? A maximum of R450 000 per joint project (R150 000) per year to the South African applicant and Rs. 30,00,000 per joint project (Rs. 10,00,000) per year to the Indian applicant over three years.
Expenditure by project team in their country would be borne by the respective country, i.e., DST in India would support expenditure on Indian side of the project whereas NRF would meet the expenditure of South African side

How are applications evaluated? Proposals will be evaluated independently by the Department of Science and Technology in India and NRF in South Africa using their own procedures based on the following criteria:

Scientific and technical merit Suitability and feasibility Methodology Value addition through collaboration National priority Capacity Building/Student involvement

(Note that the NRF encourages that researchers develop proposals demonstrating strong elements of capacity building, particularly among previously disadvantaged socio-economic population groups). Following independent evaluation on the two sides, decision towards funding will be mutually agreed based on the grading on 1 to 10 scale by the Department of Science and Technology (India) and the National Research Foundation (South Africa). Please note that, although the NRF and DST undertake to execute the evaluation and selection process as quickly as possible so as to notify applicants of the results as soon as we are able, the nature of the bilateral process requires us to align the commencement of each phase of the process within partners, whose schedule may differ significantly from each others. As such applicants are urged not to expect notification by a certain date, nor to make concrete logistical arrangements before having been thus notified. Please note that both scientific and financial reporting on the project is an obligatory condition for continued funding. It is highly recommended that students should be afforded the opportunity for exchange visits under this programme. Closing date for all applications All South African and Indian applications must be submitted by: 05 July 2013. Applications received after this date will not be considered for funding. Proposals which have only been received in either South Africa or India, but not both, will not be evaluated or considered for funding. Kindly insist on an acknowledgement of receipt when your submission is complete as the DST and NRF will not be held responsible for the loss/non submission of applications. For more information contact: Programme Related Queries In India: Mr Rajiv Kumar Email: rajivarc@nic.in In South Africa: Mr Siyabonga Kohli Tel: +27 (0)12 481 4356 Ms Puleng Tshitlho Tel: +27 (0)12 481 4061 Dr. Sulakshana Jain Email: jain.s@nic.in Grant related queries

Email: skohli@nrf.ac.za

Email: puleng.tshitlho@nrf.ac.za

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