National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and Mitacs, Canada, Advance Collaboration Under the Presidential PhD Programme

The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and Mitacs, Canada’s national research and innovation organisations, are pleased to announce the advancement of their collaboration through a pilot initiative under South Africa’s Presidential PhD Programme (PPP).

Building on a Letter of Intent signed between the two organisations in Kyoto, Japan, on October 5, 2025, this initiative marks the second stage of the NRF–Mitacs collaboration and represents the first international partnership to be developed under the PPP framework.

Through this collaboration, both organisations aim to strengthen research partnerships, innovation capacity, and talent mobility between South Africa and Canada. The initiative aims to advance shared priorities in research, science, technology, and innovation, and strengthen PhD skills for lasting impact.

Further details on the implementation of this pilot and participation opportunities for South African and Canadian institutions will be announced jointly by NRF and Mitacs in due course.