“On 12 Aug 2025, NRF’s International Grants Unit visited VUT to boost global funding awareness, support research excellence, and foster international collaboration.”
19 August 2025 | Story By: Tayron Mhlongo | Picture: Supplied
3 minutes read time
On 12 August 2025, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) hosted a distinguished delegation from the National Research Foundation (NRF) during its Institutional Visit. This engagement formed part of the NRF’s ongoing commitment to meaningfully support South Africa’s Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) by conducting institutional visits aimed at strengthening research capacity and fostering collaboration.
As part of its recent organisational restructuring, the NRF introduced the newly established International Grants and Partnerships (IGP) Unit. The IGP is tasked with facilitating and promoting bilateral, trilateral and multilateral international partnerships, alongside innovative programmes designed to elevate the global profile of both the NRF and the South African National System of Innovation (NSI). This strategic initiative seeks to advance South African research on the world stage, while ensuring equitable access for HDIs to international collaborations and funding opportunities.
The primary objective of the visit was to raise awareness within VUT of the various NRF International Grants and Partnerships funding programmes, and to encourage researchers to pursue these opportunities in order to elevate their research careers. The engagement also supported broader transformation goals by promoting greater participation from HDIs, deepening institutional collaboration, and fostering sustainable, meaningful partnerships.
During the visit, representatives from the IGP Unit delivered key presentations providing a comprehensive overview of available funding programmes. These included Science Network and Researcher Links, International Collaborative Research Grants (ICRG), and Industry, Innovation, Research and Development (IIRD). The sessions created space for open and productive dialogue, allowing attendees to share challenges in accessing and applying for international funding. This exchange reinforced the collaborative relationship between VUT and the NRF, while encouraging researchers to actively explore and apply for these funding opportunities.
Mr Themba Ngomane, a Professional Officer from the ICRG sub-unit, underscored the critical need to increase VUT’s participation in international grant programmes. He remarked, “The goal is not only to encourage more applications from VUT but also to support the submission of excellent research proposals that can compete at the highest international standards.” He further stressed the importance of global visibility, noting, “To make an impact in your research area, you need to be visible in the world and global space.” He reiterated the ICRG’s mandate to connect South African researchers with international collaborators and partners, thereby strengthening their global footprint.
The visit brought together VUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Dr Mukondeleli Kanakana-Katumba, faculty representatives and researchers, who engaged comprehensively with the eligibility criteria and explored active NRF programmes. The session offered invaluable insights, deepening participants’ understanding of application processes and the range of opportunities available.
Both VUT and the NRF reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, with a shared vision to ensure that VUT researchers submit high-quality proposals that meet eligibility requirements and increase their success in securing international funding. This partnership marks a significant step towards empowering researchers at HDIs and advancing South Africa’s presence within the global research community.