Submissions open for South Africa’s Space Programme

The National Research Foundation’s South Africa Space Programme supports universities, HDIs, TVET colleges, and Universities of Technology to implement South Africa’s space initiatives. With a budget of up to R3 million over three years, the programme funds stakeholder engagement, policy alignment, knowledge-sharing platforms, and collaboration monitoring to strengthen technical and scientific capacity. Priority is given to institutions demonstrating strong coordination capability, HDI participation, and past experience in multi-stakeholder projects.

Programme Overview

The South Africa Space Programme, led by the National Research Foundation (NRF), aims to:

• Enhance South Africa’s regional leadership in space sciences

• Build inclusive, skills-driven development with focus on HDIs, TVET colleges, and Universities of Technology

• Address gaps in technical and scientific human capital across higher education institutions

• Facilitate coordination between government, academia, and industry stakeholders

Funding Details

• Maximum Budget: R3 million over three years

• Eligible Institutions:

  • Traditional universities, Universities of Technology, and HDIs

  • Consortia including HDIs as co-leads receive added priority

• Purpose of Funding:

  • Establish a stakeholder body and coordination committee

  • Facilitate engagement and collaboration across institutions and sectors

  • Monitor partnerships and policy alignment

  • Develop knowledge-sharing platforms and engagement roadmaps

  • Organise quarterly forums and annual collaboration assessments

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

1. Completed Application Form

2. Budget: Detailed cost breakdown

3. CVs: Key personnel involved in the programme

4. Past Experience: Evidence of managing multi-stakeholder projects

• All documents must be in PDF format

• Deadline: 15 February 2026

• Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered

Programme Deliverables

Selected institutions will be responsible for:

• Delivering an implementation plan for the space programme

• Developing a stakeholder engagement roadmap

• Creating a coordination committee framework with meeting reports

• Establishing a knowledge-sharing platform

• Providing annual collaboration assessment reports

Conclusion

The NRF’s South Africa Space Programme provides a strategic opportunity for higher education institutions to play a central role in advancing space science and technology in the country. By fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and HDI participation, the programme strengthens South Africa’s capacity to become a regional leader in space sciences while developing the next generation of technical and scientific talent.