Current funding opportunities
These lists provide the UCT research community with information regarding internal and external grants and awards, NRF funding opportunities and more.
- Internal Funding Opportunities & Awards Nominations
- External Funding Opportunities & Awards Nominations (non-NRF)
- NRF Funding & Grants
- Forthcoming NRF Funding & Awards Nominations
- Other Opportunities & Notices
New funding opportunities are sent out via the Research Announcement newsletter, every second week: Subscribe here.
For specific Faculty of Health Sciences funding opportunities and related events, visit the FHS Research Noticeboard.
For specific Postdoctoral Research Fellowship current and archived grant and funding calls, visit the PDRF Fellowships Noticeboard.
For archived calls or any queries, contact researchvisibility@uct.ac.za.
Internal Funding Opportunities & Awards Nominations
For more information visit internal funding opportunities or contact Research Support Services.
External Funding Opportunities & Awards Nominations (non-NRF)
Recurring funding opportunities | ||
|---|---|---|
The Wellcome Trust awards currently has three submission cycles each year. Specific dates change but the calls for applications generally run between February to May; July to September; and October to December. Please start with the UCT Intention to submit form if you would like to apply to any of these opportunities. The appropriate team from the Research Office or the Faculty of Health Sciences will be in touch. Or contact us as follows:
| ||
| UCT intention to submit: 19 May 2026 | Funder deadline: 22 July 2026, 17:00 GMT | |
| UCT intention to submit: 26 May 2026 | Funder deadline: 28 July 2026, 17:00 GMT | |
| UCT intention to submit: 21 July 2026 | Funder deadline: 22 September 2026, 17:00 GMT | |
Pivot-RP offers a comprehensive, user-friendly tool to explore funding from international and national funding agencies, private foundations, non-profits, and others. Read more.
NRF Funding & Grants
Please contact Prince.Khoza@uct.ac.za for NRF funding opportunity queries.
Application categories | Funding programme | Contact person(s) | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
General Research Grants | NRF Thuthuka Programme | Prince.Khoza@uct.ac.za | 23 March 2026 |
| Research Development Grants for Y-Rated Researchers | Prince.Khoza@uct.ac.za | 2 April 2026 | |
| Global Change Social Sciences Research Programme (GCSSRP) | Prince.Khoza@uct.ac.za | 10 April 2026 | |
| NRF Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme (FBIP) - Small Grants (see the Guide) | Robyn.Udemans@uct.ac.za | 20 April 2026 | |
| NRF FBIP Large Grants | Robyn.Udemans@uct.ac.za | 20 April 2026 | |
| SA-Flanders (FWO) Collaborative Research Projects | Prince.Khoza@uct.ac.za | 15 May 2026 | |
| SASUF-NRF Seed Grants for Collaborative Research | Prince.Khoza@uct.ac.za | 1 June 2026 | |
Non-funding opportunity/Ratings | NRF Evaluation and Rating 2026 | Amanda.Raman@uct.ac.za | Internal deadline: 31 March at 16:30 |
International Research and Mobility Grants | currently none | ||
Travel, Training and Conference Grants | DSI-NRF Conference Fund | Natalie.LeRoux@uct.ac.za | 2 April 2026 |
Forthcoming NRF Funding & Nominations Awards
Notice | Contact person(s) | Anticipated Call Opening Date |
|---|---|---|
Concept Notes | ||
| none | ||
General research grants | ||
| none | ||
Travel, Training and Conference Grants | ||
| none | ||
Ratings | ||
| none | ||
Other opportunities & notices
Notice | Contact person(s) | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Honorary Research Associate notice | Research Funding | none |
| NSTF: Call for nomination of an Exco representative for the Higher Education Sector | enquiries@nstf.org.za | 20 April 2026 |
New funding opportunities are sent out via the Research Announcement newsletter, every second week: Subscribe here.