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Call for Grant Applications: Disaster Management Technologies in South Africa

Deadline: 09-Feb-2026

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) invites applications for grants supporting market-ready, scalable technologies that enhance South Africa’s disaster management system. Funding focuses on solutions across risk assessment, early warning, preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience, with up to R1,000,000 per project for implementation over 12–18 months. Eligible applicants include SMMEs, start-ups, non-profits, research institutions, and community-based organizations.

Program Overview

The TIA Disaster Management Technology Grant supports technologies that strengthen South Africa’s disaster management capabilities. Projects must address all phases of disaster management, from risk assessment and early warning to preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience. Selected technologies will be documented in a database for future use, enhancing national capacity for disaster mitigation and management.

Focus Areas and Eligible Technologies

1. Risk Assessment and Early Warning

  • Satellite-based flood prediction

  • Wildfire detection systems

  • Climate and weather modelling tools

  • AI-driven early warning systems

  • Mobile alert platforms

  • Community-based risk communication tools

2. Preparedness

  • Scenario modelling software

  • Decision-support dashboards

  • Culturally tailored preparedness solutions

  • Online training platforms for disaster readiness

3. Response and Recovery

  • Drones for search and rescue

  • Rapid mapping and assessment tools

  • Mobile command centres

  • Water and sanitation solutions for disaster contexts

  • AI-enabled chatbots for crisis communication and coordination

4. Resilience and Mitigation

  • Solutions that reduce vulnerability and enhance long-term recovery capacity

  • Adaptable technologies for African contexts

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • South African SMMEs (Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises)

  • Start-ups with advanced pilot-stage or commercially ready solutions

  • Non-profits and community-based organizations

  • Research institutions

  • Solutions must be market-ready or at advanced pilot stage and adaptable to local environments.

Funding Details

  • Maximum Grant per Project: R1,000,000

  • Implementation Period: 12–18 months

  • Scope: Projects must be scalable and address local disaster management challenges

  • Database Capture: Selected technologies will be documented for future national deployment

How to Apply / How It Works

  1. Confirm Eligibility – Ensure your organization qualifies as a South African SMME, start-up, non-profit, research institution, or community-based organization

  2. Prepare Proposal – Include:

    • Technology description and stage of readiness

    • Disaster management phase addressed

    • Scalability plan

    • Local adaptation considerations

    • Budget and timeline

  3. Submit Application – Through the TIA online portal or designated submission channel

  4. Evaluation – Applications assessed on:

    • Technical feasibility and readiness

    • Alignment with disaster management priorities

    • Scalability and adaptability to local contexts

    • Potential impact on disaster risk reduction and resilience

  5. Grant Award – Up to R1,000,000 per project for 12–18 months of implementation

  6. Implementation and Reporting – Funded technologies contribute to strengthening South Africa’s disaster management system and are captured in a central database

Why It Matters

  • Strengthens national disaster preparedness and response capabilities

  • Encourages innovation in early warning, crisis management, and resilience solutions

  • Supports local enterprises and research institutions developing context-appropriate technologies

  • Enhances community safety and disaster resilience across South Africa

Tips and Best Practices

  • Emphasize local relevance and adaptability for African conditions

  • Include measurable impact indicators for each disaster management phase

  • Highlight commercial readiness or pilot stage maturity

  • Demonstrate scalability beyond immediate project implementation

  • Ensure technology aligns with national disaster management priorities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply? South African SMMEs, start-ups, non-profits, research institutions, and community-based organizations with market-ready or advanced pilot technologies.
2. What phases of disaster management are eligible? Risk assessment, early warning, preparedness, response, recovery, resilience, and mitigation.
3. How much funding is available per project? Up to R1,000,000.
4. What is the project duration? 12–18 months.
5. Are technologies required to be commercially ready? Yes, either market-ready or at an advanced pilot stage.
6. Is scalability required? Yes, funded technologies must be scalable for broader application.
7. Are there geographic restrictions? Technologies should be developed for African conditions and adaptable to local environments in South Africa.

Conclusion

The TIA Disaster Management Technology Grant empowers local innovators to deploy technologies that strengthen South Africa’s disaster resilience, improve early warning systems, and enhance community preparedness and recovery. By funding scalable, market-ready solutions, the program fosters innovation, local capacity, and sustainable disaster management across the country.

For more information, visit Technology Innovation Agency.