South Africa
The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports the Lead Agency process as a means of funding researchers in South Africa. They must be associated with a recognised public higher education or research institution, such as a university, technical university or science council in South Africa.
Lead Agency applications are part of the SNSF's "project funding" instrument. Within this instrument, applicants are entitled to have up to three grants running simultaneously, provided that one of them is a Weave/Lead Agency/International Co-Investigator Scheme or European Partnership project and provided the three projects clearly address different topics.
The duration of the projects is the same in both countries and must not exceed 36 months. The project is due to start on the same date in both countries.
Each funder defines its own success rate.
Applications have to be submitted in English.
Submission: The SNSF and the NRF have agreed to take turns as the Lead Agency on a yearly basis. The next submission deadline is 1 October 2025 at the SNSF.
If the application is submitted If the application is submitted to the NRF, a copy must be submitted to the SNSF via mySNF within seven days.
Documents and links