South Africa–Tunisia Joint Research Programme

The South Africa–Tunisia Joint Research Programme supports collaborative research projects and researcher mobility between South African and Tunisian research institutions. The programme promotes scientific excellence, innovation, capacity building, and bilateral partnerships across priority research areas, including artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, health, water, the food-energy-water nexus, and space and astronomy.

South Africa–Tunisia Joint Research Programme Overview

The South Africa–Tunisia Joint Research Programme is a bilateral research funding initiative established under the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement between the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MHESR).

The programme aims to strengthen long-term scientific collaboration between researchers in South Africa and Tunisia by supporting joint research projects, researcher exchanges, and knowledge sharing. It encourages collaborative research that addresses shared scientific and societal challenges while promoting innovation and international academic cooperation.

The initiative also places strong emphasis on supporting early-career researchers, enhancing institutional research capacity, and increasing the practical impact of scientific research through applied and interdisciplinary projects.

Focus Areas

Applications are encouraged in the following priority research areas:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Nanotechnology
• Water resources
• Food-Water-Energy Nexus
• Health research
• Space science
• Astronomy
• Scientific innovation
• Applied research
• Capacity building
• Research mobility
• Bilateral scientific cooperation
• Technology development
• Knowledge exchange

Programme Objectives

The programme seeks to:

• Strengthen scientific cooperation between South Africa and Tunisia.
• Promote collaborative international research.
• Encourage scientific excellence and innovation.
• Support researcher mobility between partner institutions.
• Build sustainable bilateral research partnerships.
• Enhance institutional research capacity.
• Promote applied research with societal impact.
• Support the development of early-career researchers.
• Foster knowledge transfer and technology exchange.

Why This Programme Matters

International research collaboration enables scientists to combine expertise, infrastructure, and resources to address complex global challenges.

The programme contributes to:

• Stronger Africa–Africa scientific cooperation.
• Increased international research partnerships.
• Improved research quality and innovation.
• Greater mobility for researchers.
• Enhanced knowledge sharing.
• Capacity development for research institutions.
• Solutions to regional and global development challenges.
• Long-term academic collaboration between South Africa and Tunisia.

Supported Activities

The programme may support activities such as:

• Joint research projects
• Research collaboration between institutions
• Researcher exchange visits
• Scientific workshops
• Joint publications
• Knowledge exchange activities
• Capacity-building initiatives
• Mobility of early-career researchers
• Collaborative innovation projects
• Applied scientific research

Who Is Eligible?

Applications must be submitted by joint research teams consisting of eligible institutions from South Africa and Tunisia.

Each proposal must include:

• One Principal Investigator (PI) from a South African research institution.
• One Principal Investigator (PI) from a Tunisian research institution.

Applicants should be affiliated with eligible research organizations in their respective countries and comply with the eligibility requirements established by their national funding agencies.

Eligible Institutions

Eligible applicants may include:

• Universities
• Public research institutions
• Higher education institutions
• Government-supported research organizations
• Scientific research institutes
• Other eligible academic or research organizations recognized by the NRF or MHESR

Expected Benefits

Successful research teams may benefit from:

• International research collaboration
• Research mobility opportunities
• Joint scientific publications
• Capacity-building support
• Knowledge sharing
• Networking with international researchers
• Enhanced research impact
• Long-term institutional partnerships
• Development opportunities for early-career researchers

How to Apply

Step 1

Identify an eligible research partner from the other participating country and establish a joint research team.

Step 2

Develop a collaborative research proposal that aligns with one or more of the programme’s priority research areas.

Step 3

Prepare the required application documents, including:

• Joint research proposal
• Project objectives
• Research methodology
• Work plan
• Research team information
• Budget (if required)
• Mobility plan
• Expected outcomes

Step 4

Submit the proposal through the respective national funding agencies in accordance with the official call guidelines once the joint call officially opens.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

A competitive proposal should:

• Demonstrate genuine collaboration between both research teams.
• Address one or more priority research themes.
• Present clear scientific objectives.
• Include a realistic work plan.
• Explain the benefits of researcher mobility.
• Demonstrate potential scientific impact.
• Highlight capacity-building opportunities.
• Show long-term collaboration potential.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Submitting proposals without an eligible partner institution.
• Weak collaboration between research teams.
• Unclear project objectives.
• Poorly defined research methodology.
• Missing required documentation.
• Limited explanation of mobility activities.
• Weak capacity-building components.
• Failure to comply with national eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the South Africa–Tunisia Joint Research Programme?

Applications must be submitted jointly by eligible research institutions from South Africa and Tunisia, with one Principal Investigator from each country.

What types of projects are supported?

The programme supports collaborative research projects and researcher mobility in priority scientific fields such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, health, water, the food-energy-water nexus, and space science.

Which organizations manage the programme?

The programme is jointly supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MHESR).

Does the programme support early-career researchers?

Yes. Supporting early-career researchers and strengthening research capacity are key objectives of the programme.

Is researcher mobility included?

Yes. The programme encourages researcher exchanges and mobility to strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing between South African and Tunisian institutions.

Can institutions apply individually?

No. Applications must be submitted by joint research teams consisting of eligible institutions from both South Africa and Tunisia.

What are the main goals of the programme?

The programme aims to promote scientific excellence, innovation, bilateral research partnerships, researcher mobility, capacity building, and applied research with long-term impact.

Conclusion

The South Africa–Tunisia Joint Research Programme provides an excellent opportunity for researchers and institutions to establish strong international partnerships, conduct collaborative scientific research, and promote innovation across priority research fields. By supporting joint projects, researcher mobility, and capacity building, the programme contributes to stronger bilateral cooperation while advancing scientific knowledge and addressing shared development challenges in Africa.