Deadline: 28-Jan-22
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is calling for the submission of funding applications for projects in the Industrial Biotechnology business, focusing on the Bioplastics sector, and specifically addressing:
- Development of biobased and biodegradable bioplastics, such as modified thermoplastic starch and other biodegradable polymers like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polylactide (PLA), and polybutylene succinate (PBS);
- Improving the biodegradability of bioplastics;
- Use of novel renewable resources for bioplastic production;
- Improving recycling processes for bioplastics; and
- Developing a more cost-effective production process for bioplastics.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA, organisation) is an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) established in terms of the TIA Act, 2008 with the objective to stimulate, intensify and exploit technological innovation to improve economic growth and the quality of life of all South Africans.
Requirements
- Technology innovators that are eligible to apply should be:
- Start-up companies
- Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs)
- Science Councils (SCs)
- Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
- The application must meet the following criteria:
- Product, service or process development must be based on a technology innovation and cover the subjects articulated above that are not already covered by existing intellectual property rights, patents and trademarks.
- Demonstrate a viable, feasible and sustainable business case.
- Demonstrate a positive socio-economic impact.
- Have a proof of concept (an idea that has been proven, validated and tested).
- Applicants must meet the following requirements. In the absence of these an applicant will be disqualified:
- Applicants must be South African citizens with valid identity documents or permanent residents
- Already existing legal entities:
- Must be registered with CIPC;
- Must be or in a process of registering on National Treasury’s Central Supplier Database (CSD)
- All primary technology development activities must be operated within South Africa;
- Foreign-owned IP should be licensed or assigned to a local institution – proof to be provided with the application
- Applicants with foreign owned IP must meet the dtic’s Localisation Framework and B-BBEE requirements
- Proof that the compulsory briefing session was attended.
For more information, visit https://www.tia.org.za/blog/2021/12/14/bioplastics-call/