Funding opportunities

The research output of the MRC is effected mainly by research undertakings that are managed jointly with Universities, Universities of Technology and other research institutions where a core of academic personnel and physical research infrastructure already exist.

Funding for individual researchers is provided under the Self-Initiated Research Category, on a competitive basis based on the quality and relevance of the research proposed, for a period up to 3 years. Researchers organized into research formations / entities are supported via approved MRC Research Groups, Research Units and Research Centres and Research Lead Programmes.

Self-Initiated Research Funding
Application for funding

• Guidelines and information
• Applying for funding
• Research proposal template
• MRC Conditions of grant and acceptance form (Effective Jan 2011)
• Institutional Approval form

Reporting
Interim Progress Report. Existing grantholders are required to submit an Interim Progress Report by the end of September of the year of award of their grant. This report is used as a budgeting tool to more accurately determine the financial requirements of each project for the subsequent year, but in line with the global total originally awarded. The completed Interim Progress Report Form should reach the MRC by the 30th September of the year of award.

Annual Progress Report. This is a performance report focused on identifying and recognizing the research progress achieved and the outputs emanating from a funded project in the preceding 12 months. The completed Annual progress report (MS Word format, 98 kb) should reach the MRC no later than the last day of February following the year of the award of the grant.

End-of-project Report. On completion of a MRC-funded research project, the grantholder is required to submit a comprehensive report detailing the research achievements, outputs and impacts of the project. The End-of-Project Report (MSWord format, 81 kb) should reach the MRC no later than 3 months after the officially recorded end date of the funded project.

Research Centres
A centre is established around a director with extensive international recognition and a large and experienced research team. The establishment of a Centre with a broad research mandate necessitates an independent application approach initiated by discussions with the Executive Director of Research and the MRC Executive Management Committee. Centres usually have an extended life span subject to 5-yearly review.

Research Units and Groups
A unit is established under the leadership of a director, who must enjoy national and international recognition. A well-qualified and productive research team and necessary infrastructure must already exist. Focused research to be conducted must be important for health science in general and the needs of the country. A unit is funded in 5-year cycles with an anticipated life span of 15 years. Re-evaluations with a view to continuation for further 5-year periods are conducted during the 4th year of every 5-year cycle. At the end of the third term the unit will be closed and an application for its further existence will be considered in competition with applications for new units. If the director of a unit retires/departs the unit is closed down.

A group is established around a director with excellent and recognised leadership qualities and can consist of a network of national researchers at different institutions engaged in a similar endeavour. A research group can have a broader area of focus than the unit structure and is expected to promote/facilitate research and capacity development especially at previously disadvantaged institutions. A group is funded in 4-year cycles with an anticipated life span of 8 years. Re-evaluation with a view to continuation for a further 4-year period is conducted during the 3rd year of the first 4-year cycle. At the end of the second term the group will be closed and an application for its further existence will be considered in competition with applications for new groups. If the director retires/departs the group may be closed down if none of the other leaders in the group are appropriately positioned to take over directorship.

Contacts at the MRC

• Mr Clive Glass
  Administration enquiries and deadlines
  Tel: +27 (0)21 938-0225 / E-mail: clive.glass@mrc.ac.za