South Africa–Canada Seed Grant 2026 for PhD Researchers (Funding for International Research Partnerships)
The South Africa–Canada Seed Grant for Collaborative Research offers PhD-level researchers funding to establish impactful international partnerships between South Africa and Canada. This program supports collaborative projects that address global challenges through interdisciplinary research and capacity development.
Launched through a partnership between NRF and SSHRC, the initiative aims to strengthen academic collaboration under the South Africa–Canada Universities Network (SACUN). Funded projects will run for 24 to 36 months, focusing on joint publications, workshops, and research exchanges, thereby fostering long-term research relationships.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD
- Be affiliated with an eligible South African or Canadian postsecondary institution
- Apply as part of a joint research team with one Principal Investigator (PI) from each country. Researchers from NGOs, private companies, or other sectors may participate as collaborators but cannot serve as Principal Investigators or receive funding directly from the grant.
Benefits
Funding can reach up to ZAR 300,000 per year for three years for South African teams, while Canadian researchers may receive up to CAD $100,000 over two years, with a possibility of a one-year extension.
