Call Opens for SASUF-NRF Seed Grants: Key Deadlines Approach for South Africa-Sweden Research Partnerships

The South Africa-Sweden University Forum, known as SASUF, in partnership with South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF), has launched a new round of seed grants designed to foster collaborative research between the two countries. The call, part of the SASUF+ phase, emphasises projects that bridge academia with industry and societal actors, addressing pressing global and local challenges through interdisciplinary work.

Background on SASUF and Its Role in South African Higher Education

SASUF brings together 37 partner universities from South Africa and Sweden. Launched in 2017, the initiative has evolved into SASUF+, running from 2025 to 2028, with a sharper focus on innovation and real-world impact. The NRF, as South Africa’s premier research funding agency, manages the South African component of these grants, ensuring alignment with national research priorities and capacity-building goals in the higher-education sector.

These seed grants support mobility for researchers, joint projects, and knowledge exchange that strengthen institutional ties. For South African universities and colleges, participation offers pathways to international funding, enhanced research profiles, and opportunities for early-career academics and PhD candidates to gain global experience.

Thematic Areas Driving the 2026 Call

Projects must align with one of four priority themes: Sustainable Health, Green Transition, Migration and Urbanisation, and Democracy, Social Justice, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems. These areas reflect urgent societal needs in both countries and encourage proposals that integrate multiple disciplines while involving non-academic partners from industry or civil society.

Each theme supports work that moves beyond traditional academic silos, fostering solutions with measurable impact on communities, policy, and economic development in South Africa.

Funding Details and Project Duration

Successful consortia can receive up to 100,000 Swedish kronor (SEK) from the SASUF side and up to 160,000 South African rand (ZAR) from the NRF side. Funding supports activities over a maximum of two years, with projects expected to commence around 1 September 2026. A maximum of 20 consortia will be supported in this round.

The NRF portion is disbursed to the South African principal investigator upon signing the Conditions of Grant contract, while the SASUF portion goes to the Swedish lead. Eligible costs typically include researcher mobility, workshops, and small-scale equipment, but exclude large infrastructure purchases or salaries for permanent staff.

Photo by Mathieu Stern on Unsplash

Eligibility Requirements for South African Researchers

Applicants must be based at one of the SASUF partner universities in South Africa. Proposals require participation from at least two South African universities, two Swedish universities, and at least one organisation from industry or society. Full lists of partner institutions are available on the official SASUF website.

Designated Authorities (DAs) at South African institutions play a key role in internal screening and submission processes, ensuring proposals meet both institutional and NRF standards before the final deadline.

Critical Deadlines and Application Timeline

The call opened on 17 March 2026. All applicants must submit by 10 June 2026. South African researchers face an additional step: Designated Authorities must submit to the NRF by 18 June 2026. Screening and reviews will take place in June and July 2026, with funding decisions expected thereafter.

Researchers are advised to begin internal university processes well in advance, particularly given the staggered deadlines for DAs. Late submissions will not be considered.

Impact on South African Universities, Academics, and Research Capacity

These grants provide vital seed funding at a time when many South African higher-education institutions face budget pressures and increasing demands for international collaboration. Successful projects can lead to larger follow-on grants, co-authored publications, and strengthened partnerships that enhance institutional rankings and graduate employability.

For academics and PhD-track researchers, participation offers opportunities for mobility, networking, and exposure to Swedish research environments. The emphasis on industry and societal engagement aligns with national goals to increase the relevance and impact of university research.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guidance

Interested researchers should download the official application template and guidelines from the SASUF website. South African applicants must route proposals through their institution’s Designated Authority for review and submission to the NRF via the NRF Connect system.

Key preparation steps include forming consortia early, aligning proposals with one of the four themes, securing letters of support from partner organisations, and ensuring budgets comply with both SEK and ZAR limits. Detailed eligibility and submission instructions are outlined in the call documents.

Photo by Hanlin Sun on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Broader Implications for South African Higher Education

The SASUF-NRF Seed Grants represent a strategic investment in bilateral research ties that can help address shared challenges such as climate change, health inequities, and social inclusion. As South Africa continues to prioritise research internationalisation, these opportunities support the development of globally competitive research teams and contribute to the country’s knowledge economy.

University administrators and research offices are encouraged to promote the call internally and support potential applicants through workshops and proposal development assistance. Continued success in such programmes can strengthen South Africa’s position in global research networks.

Conclusion: Acting on the Opportunity

With deadlines fast approaching, South African researchers at SASUF partner institutions have a timely chance to secure funding for impactful collaborative work. The structured timelines, clear thematic focus, and emphasis on real-world partnerships make this call particularly valuable for advancing both individual careers and institutional research agendas.

Those interested should consult the official SASUF resources immediately and coordinate with their Designated Authorities to meet the 10 June and 18 June 2026 cut-offs.