Who We Are

Science and Technology Agreements Fund (STAF) is that Business Unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF) specifically concerned with promoting South Africa's science and technology links on the global front. Working closely with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), we participate in the funding and implementation of international joint research projects and in the process ensure capacity building in key strategic areas. In addition we serve as liaison between the South African and international scientific communities, and facilitate South African participation in global scientific practice and research.

Our Goals

• To promote local science and technology research and development in order to strategically position South Africa in the global arena.
• To facilitate the generation and transfer of scientific knowledge and technology so as to increase South Africa's international competitiveness.
• To contribute to the socio-economic and sustainable development of South Africa through the promotion of international scientific collaboration.
• To facilitate access to international opportunities for study and research for South African students and scientists.

What We Do

STAF affects South Africa's scientific relations with the rest of the world in a number of ways, notably through the funding of bi-lateral and multi-lateral joint research projects.

• Currently we have agreements for scientific cooperation with 23 different countries, many of which are involved in research projects with South African scientists and institutions, all of them funded by STAF. These countries include the USA, most of Western Europe, Russia and large parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
• STAF also funds South African participation in international projects involving many different countries and agencies, aimed at promoting national science and technology priorities. In this regard STAF oversees and administrates South Africa's membership in a number of international scientific agencies, including the International Council for Science and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
• In addition we provide research grants for scientists wishing to conduct research at foreign institutions, and mobility grants that allow them to continue their research in a specific field year after year.
• In the same way we make it possible for local students to study overseas, while also providing opportunities for foreign students to come study in South Africa.
• Finally we also support regular workshops, seminars, conferences and training courses attended by scientists and researchers from all over the world, thus promoting the exchange of research expertise among peers, the forging of personal links between local and international scientists and the dissemination of knowledge within the South African scientific community.

What We Can Do For You

Every year STAF puts out a number of calls for joint research proposals with foreign partners, of which a certain number is then selected and funded for a specific duration. These calls are issued in conjunction with foreign research institutions or government departments, and generally involve researchers funded not only for local endeavors but also for conducting their research in one another's country for a specified period of time. Calls are generally posted on the NRF website, and proposals may be submitted by researchers attached to a recognized university, university of technology or science council in their respective countries. In the same way proposals for international workshops, conferences and seminars may be submitted to us for consideration and possible funding, while participation in such events may be secured in the same way. All news and announcements of organized scientific colloquies are available on the NRF website. Finally, South African institutions wishing to establish links with their foreign counterparts for researcher exchange or information transfer may equally approach STAF for both facilitation and funding.