Emerging Researchers

Postdoctoral and Research Fellowships:

The Nelson Mandela University postdoctoral and research fellowships are intended to fund doctoral graduates and researchers, with the long-term view of renewing and replenishing the leading international researcher cohort to sustain the enterprise. Postdoctoral fellows are doctoral graduates who will enhance their post-PhD research training during the fellowship. Research fellows are emerging researchers who have completed a postdoctoral fellowship or have formal relevant research experience aligned to Nelson Mandela University’s institutional research themes.

NRF Funding Opportunities:

The NRF remains the largest external funder for emerging researchers who are permanent or fixed term contract employees at the Nelson Mandela University.

Some of the main NRF programmes from which funding for emerging researchers is received are:

• Black Academics Advancement Programme (BAAP): This programme is a directed intervention aimed at promoting the development of Black academics specifically, Black South African citizens and academic staff with disabilities, by accelerating the training of PhD and Post-PhD candidates to enhance their research training and accelerate their progression to become established researchers.
   
• Thuthuka: The objectives of the Thuthuka funding instrument are to
  • Promote the attainment of a doctoral qualification, by early career academics employed at South African public universities, science councils and other research institutions as recognised by the NRF;
  • Promote the research development of early career academics employed at South African public universities, science councils and other research institutions as recognised by the NRF;
  • Promote the attainment of an NRF rating by early career academics, in particular black and female researchers and persons with disabilities;
  • Promote the attainment of an NRF rating by academics that have not been able to realise their potential or sustain their research ability by virtue of the lack of an enabling research environment;
  • Promote the attainment of an NRF rating by academics that have not been able to realise their potential or sustain their research outputs due to family responsibilities.

• Global Knowledge Partnerships (GKP) Programme: The GKP programme provides international opportunities to gain experience to exceptional doctoral students, Postdoctoral Research Fellows & Early Career Researchers.
   

Internal Research Grants:

There are three internal funding opportunities, funded by the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG), available to Nelson Mandela University staff members conducting research, namely:
 

1. Research Development Fund (RDF): This fund is available to staff members conducting research, who do not currently have access to external grant funding. The RDF is intended to provide funding primarily in three categories, namely:

• Seed funding for emerging researchers
• Post PhD funding
• Bridging funding for new staff at Nelson Mandela University

2. Teaching Relief Grant TRG): The Teaching Relief Grant (TRG) provides funding for lecturer replacement to enable emerging academics to focus on inter alia completion of masters and doctoral degrees or writing and publication of research outputs. The TRG is meant to provide supplementary funding and will not cover the full cost of a sabbatical.

3. Conference Travel Fund (CTF): This fund is intended to provide financial support to academic staff planning to deliver oral presentations at conferences related to their Masters, Doctoral or Postdoctoral research.

 

New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP):

The nGAP programme aims to build a new generation of South African academics by nurturing young academic talent who are appointed as permanent employees within their institutions. Funded by the Department of Higher Education, it provides funding, mentoring and academic skills together with a reduced workload to ensure that appointed candidates have all opportunities to achieve a doctorate within the 6-year timeframe of the programme. 

Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP):

The Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme aims to identify postgraduate students with demonstrated academic ability who are interested in following an academic career and provide them with an attractive, structured study and development programme which will prepare them to apply for and take up an academic post at a South African public university.

Research Professional:

Nelson Mandela University subscribes to *Research Professional, an extensive database of global research funding opportunities, and news content providing the latest information on international research policy and practice. This subscription enables authorised users to search for available content and set up email alerts to stay informed of new funding opportunities, as well as policy and research development news.

Further information can be found on the *Research Professional page.