The Universities South Africa Research and Innovation Strategy Group (RISG) welcomes the launch of a new joint funding call by the National Research Foundation (NRF), in partnership with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. This initiative, implemented under the South Africa–Canada Universities Network (SACUN), represents an important step toward strengthening international research collaboration and advancing South Africa’s higher education sector’s global engagement.

The call provides seed funding to support the development of collaborative research projects between South African and Canadian universities. Importantly, the programme is positioned not only as a funding mechanism but as a strategic enabler of long-term research partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge exchange. In doing so, it aligns closely with RISG’s priorities for strengthening innovation ecosystems, enhancing research impact, and supporting the internationalisation of the sector.

From a RISG perspective, this initiative reflects a broader shift in the global research landscape, from isolated projects towards networked, partnership-based models of collaboration. It underscores the importance of institutional readiness to support such engagements, including the role of research offices, technology transfer offices, and internationalisation units in facilitating partnerships, enabling mobility, and supporting the translation of research into societal and economic value.

The thematic focus areas of the call, including just and resilient societies, environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence, sustainable growth, and mathematics education, speak directly to shared national and global priorities. They also provide opportunities for South African institutions to position their research within international agendas, while contributing contextually relevant knowledge and solutions.

Crucially, the programme is designed as seed funding, with the explicit intention of catalysing larger, longer-term collaborations. This creates a pathway for institutions to leverage initial partnerships into expanded research programmes, increased international visibility, and enhanced competitiveness in global funding landscapes.

Given the relatively short application timeframe, there is a clear imperative for institutions to act swiftly to support researchers in identifying and formalising partnerships with Canadian counterparts. This includes leveraging existing networks, activating institutional collaborations, and providing enabling support structures to ensure competitive proposals.

Application deadline: 28 May 2026

For further information, please access the following resources:

• Funding framework
• NRF press release
• Engineering News coverage