The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF) is announcing a 2014 joint call for research proposals. This call is open to employed researchers residing in South Africa and China. The projects will be supported for three years from October 2014 to September 2016. No reciprocal visits of a shorter duration of less than 15 days or a longer duration of more than 3 months per year will be funded. Applications will close on 28th April 2014.
Study Subject (s): Proposals may be submitted in the following areas which have been designated as priority in the NSFC/NRF joint funded workshops;
- Fungal bioresources (taxonomy; biodiversity; culture collection and barcoding)
-Fungal ecology
- Fungal application (new bioactive compounds; new enzymes; new drugs; application in food; agriculture, and bioenergy)
- Fundamental and applied nuclear physics.
Course Level: Call is open for research in China and South Africa.
Scholarship Provider: National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and National Research Foundation (NRF)
Scholarship can be taken at: South Africa and China
Eligibility: The eligibility criteria is listed below for this scholarship:
South Africa: This call is open to employed researchers residing in South Africa and affiliated with a recognised higher education or research institution such as a university, university of technology or science council. An application must designate two Principal Investigators (PIs), one in South Africa and one in China, who will bear the main responsibility for the project including its technical and administrative coordination as well as scientific and financial reporting.
- The South African PI should possess at least a Master's degree (preferably PhD). An application for the same research activity must in addition be submitted to the NSFC by the Chinese (http://scholarship-positions.com/category/china-scholarships/) PI in order for joint funding to be considered.
China: Permanently employed researchers residing in China and affiliated with a recognised higher education or research institution which registers in NSFC. The Chinese applicant must possess an academic title of professor or associate professor and must be the PI of an on-going or completed NSFC research grant.
Scholarship Open for International Students: South African and Chinese researchers can apply for the research scholarship.
Scholarship Description: The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF) is offering research scholarship for South African and Chinese students. The scholarship supports scientific advancement in both countries through the funding of joint research activities in specified research fields.
Number of award(s): Not Known
Duration of award(s): The projects will be supported for three years from October 2014 to September 2016.
What does it cover?
South Africa: NRF funding levels are not fixed the total amount of funding requested should preferably not exceed R600000. To be paid in annual installments (R200 000 per year) and for research activities commencing in 2014.
China: NSFC funding levels are up to RMB800000 (approximately USD130000). To be paid in two installments (60%: 40%) including both research funds and funds for international cooperation and exchanges.
Note that both scientific and financial reporting on the project is an obligatory condition of funding in subsequent years.
Selection Criteria: The experts will evaluate each proposal based on the following criteria:
-Scientific and technical merit;
- Suitability and feasibility
-International significance
- Value addition by the collaboration / national priority
-Possible impact of the research / national priority
-Potential for promoting equity and redress / capacity building
-Student involvement
Note that proposals demonstrating strong elements of capacity building, particularly among historically disadvantaged institutions, will be favorably regarded by the South African side.
Notification: As a general rule, no less than three months should be allowed for notification following the deadline for applications.
How to Apply: Applications from South Africa must be submitted through an online application (https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/nrfmkii/) process to the National Research Foundation (NRF). Application for Chinese applicants may be completed through the website. No hard copies will be accepted and will automatically be disqualified by the NRF. Only applications endorsed by the research office or its equivalent at higher education or research institutions will be accepted. The onus is on the applicant to find their own research partner. Proposals must be received in both China and South Africa. Proposals which have only been received in either South Africa or China, but not both countries, will not be considered for funding. The call process is highly competitive therefore application does not guarantee funding. The evaluation of applications from both countries should have positive ratings before consideration for funding. Neither the NRF nor NSFC will be held responsible for non-submission of the application in the partner country.
Scholarship Application Deadline: Applications will close on 28th April 2014.
Further Official Scholarship Information and Application (http://www.nrf.ac.za/funding_overview.php?fid=241)