Just a few days after celebrating 25 years of impactful research, the Research Directorate hosted a National Research Foundation (NRF) delegation off campus, where research matters were taken to a different level. The NRF informed MUT staff – academics and support- that there are also International Grants and Partnerships (IGP) funding opportunities that they can apply for. The IGP The IGP programme serves as a catalyst for internationalisation. It supports strategic partnerships, enabling researchers to work collaboratively with global counterparts.
Mthobeli Myeza, the Research Directorate’s NRF Pre-Grant Administrator, said the aim of the IGP was to enhance research collaboration, innovation and global engagement. MUT staff who apply for this funding will have a chance to collaborate with researchers from higher education institutions outside the country. According to Myeza, these will be MUT staff who are “committed to advancing the Institution’s research agenda and expanding its international footprint”.
The NRF team outlined how IGP aligns with national priorities, fosters global networks, and contributes to the development of human capital and knowledge production. The NRF team, led by Dr Raven Jimmy, presented the various components of the IGP, including Science Networks and Researcher Links, which foster the development of science diplomacy through bilateral and multilateral agreements. It provides platforms for South African researchers to engage in academic exchanges, mobility programmes, and joint seminars with international partners. Opportunities within this stream are ideal for early-career researchers and institutions seeking to build long-term global partnerships. There is also the International Collaborative Research Grant. This grant supports high-quality, joint research projects between South African researchers and their international peers. The programme encourages transdisciplinary work, addresses global challenges, and contributes to knowledge co-creation across borders.
The last component of the IGP is the Industry, Innovation, Research and Development grant. The grant brings academia and industry together. This funding stream stimulates research that can be translated into innovative technologies, products, or services. It promotes collaboration between universities, research councils, and industry partners both locally and internationally. MUT researchers were encouraged to align proposals with national development goals and engage in applied research with clear socio-economic impact.
MUT staff showed great interest not only in the presentation, but also in taking advantage of the opportunities made available by the NRF. Dr Liile Lekena-Bayaga, Acting Senior Director: Institutional Planning and Research (DIPR), applauded the NRF for accommodating both academic and support staff. She herself is a support staff member. Dr Lekena-Bayaga said she was going to apply for the funding. “Yes, I have a number of projects that I would like funding for. Of course, I will start with one and see how it goes,” Dr Lekena-Bayaga said. “I am still exploring them, but the JSPS–NRF Joint Seminar/Mobility funding framework seems to be more relevant to me,” she said. Dr Lekena-Bayaga continued: “As a non-academic professional working within the operational and strategic functions of the University, conducting research in my field is essential for grounding institutional decisions in evidence, and ensuring that our practices evolve in step with global trends. Research enables me to interrogate the assumptions behind policy, planning, and governance frameworks, and to contribute practical, contextually relevant insights that purely academic studies may overlook”.