Current funding opportunities
These lists provide the UCT research community with information regarding internal and external grants and awards, NRF funding opportunities and more.
- Internal Funding Opportunities & Awards Nominations
- External Funding Opportunities & Awards Nominations (non-NRF)
- NRF Funding & Grants
- Forthcoming NRF Funding & Awards Nominations
- Other Opportunities & Notices
New funding opportunities are sent out via the Research Announcement newsletter, every second week: Subscribe here.
For specific Faculty of Health Sciences funding opportunities and related events, visit the FHS Research Noticeboard.
For specific Postdoctoral Research Fellowship current and archived grant and funding calls, visit the PDRF Fellowships Noticeboard.
For archived calls or any queries, contact researchvisibility@uct.ac.za.
Internal Funding Opportunities & Awards Nominations
Notice | Contact person(s) | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| University Equipment Committee (UEC) Research Equipment | FEC Chairs / Representatives | 27 May 2026 |
| Advanced Computing Committee (ACC) Research Equipment | Faculty Contacts | 29 May 2026 |
| Innovation Builder Fund (IBF) | Fred.vanderPost@uct.ac.za | none |
| EthicsLab webinar series, academic retreats, academic residencies and catalyst grants | ethicslab@uct.ac.za | 30 September 2026 |
| URC Start-up Grant | ResearchFunding@uct.ac.za | 10 November 2026 |
For more information visit internal funding opportunities or contact Research Support Services.
External Funding Opportunities & Awards Nominations (non-NRF)
Notice | Contact person(s) | Funder Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer (JWO) Research Grant | InternationalGrants@uct.ac.za | 1 May 2026 |
| Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) / Western Cape Government (WCG) Joint Task Team (JTT) Research proposals | Sonwabo.Ngcelwane@uct.ac.za | 4 May 2026 |
| Spencer Foundation’s Racial Equity Special Research Grants | Health Sciences applicants: fhs.researchfunding@uct.ac.za All other faculties: internationalgrants@uct.ac.za | 4 May 2026 |
| Mahidol University – University of Cape Town Seed Grant - Round 1 | InternationalGrants@uct.ac.za | TBC Matchmaking session on 6 May |
| South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) | Mbasa.Mguye@uct.ac.za | 11 May 2026 |
| Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Sabbatical Study Award | InternationalGrants@uct.ac.za | 31 August 2026 |
| Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027: Africa Initiative IV | InternationalGrants@uct.ac.za | Various |
Recurring funding opportunities | ||
|---|---|---|
The Wellcome Trust awards currently has three submission cycles each year. Specific dates change but the calls for applications generally run between February to May; July to September; and October to December. Please start with the UCT Intention to submit form if you would like to apply to any of these opportunities. The appropriate team from the Research Office or the Faculty of Health Sciences will be in touch. Or contact us as follows:
| ||
| UCT intention to submit: 19 May 2026 | Funder deadline: 22 July 2026, 17:00 GMT | |
| UCT intention to submit: 26 May 2026 | Funder deadline: 28 July 2026, 17:00 GMT | |
| UCT intention to submit: 21 July 2026 | Funder deadline: 22 September 2026, 17:00 GMT | |
Pivot-RP offers a comprehensive, user-friendly tool to explore funding from international and national funding agencies, private foundations, non-profits, and others. Read more.
NRF Funding & Grants
Please contact Prince.Khoza@uct.ac.za for NRF funding opportunity queries.
Application categories | Funding programme | Contact person(s) | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
General Research Grants
| NRF Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme (FBIP) - Small Grants (see the Guide) | Robyn.Udemans@uct.ac.za | 20 April 2026 |
| NRF FBIP Large Grants | Robyn.Udemans@uct.ac.za | 20 April 2026 | |
| SA-Flanders (FWO) Collaborative Research Projects | Prince.Khoza@uct.ac.za | 15 May 2026 | |
| SASUF-NRF Seed Grants for Collaborative Research | Robyn.Udemans@uct.ac.za | 1 June 2026 | |
Non-funding opportunity/Ratings | currently none | ||
International Research and Mobility Grants | currently none | ||
Travel, Training and Conference Grants | currently none |
Forthcoming NRF Funding & Nominations Awards
Notice | Contact person(s) | Anticipated Call Opening Date |
|---|---|---|
Concept Notes | ||
| none | ||
General research grants | ||
| none | ||
Travel, Training and Conference Grants | ||
| none | ||
Ratings | ||
| none | ||
Other opportunities & notices
Notice | Contact person(s) | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Honorary Research Associate notice | Research Funding | none |
| NSTF: Call for nomination of an Exco representative for the Higher Education Sector | enquiries@nstf.org.za | 20 April 2026 |
New funding opportunities are sent out via the Research Announcement newsletter, every second week: Subscribe here.