Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF) Opens Applications For Grants

The Scientific Advisory Panel invites applications for funding under the  four categories, namely Bursary, James Gear Fellowship, Research Grant and Major Impact Project (MIP)

At Present And For The Time Being, Due To The Large Funding Requirements For Research Grants And Bursaries, No Applications For Post-Doctoral Fellowships And Travel Grants Will Be Considered And Therefore Should Not Be Submitted For 2018.

At present and for the time being, due to the large funding requirements for Research Grants and Bursaries, no applications for Post-Doctoral Fellowships and Travel Grants will be considered and therefore should not be submitted for 2018.

The PRF must be acknowledged in all publications arising from a proposal funded by the PRF.

All applications are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

• Bursary
• James Gear Fellowship
• Research Grant
• Major Impact Project (MIP)

Orientation of Research: The project should be focused on laboratory or epidemiological virus research rather than on clinical research of virus diseases

Relevance: That the project would have relevancy to human viral diseases in South Africa and that it would be seen to be a project with a potential impact on health in South Africa

Scientific Merit: The scientific soundness of the project including innovation and clarity of the research hypothesis

Evaluation of the Applicant: The track record of the applicant and what his/her input would be in the project, particularly in terms of time in relationship to the needs of the project.

Resources available for the Project: Human and material resources within the laboratory or institution as well as assistance from collaborators and support for other laboratories

Achievability: Are the aims of the project achievable within a realistic time frame

Budget: Is the budget realistic to the needs of the project and are there other resources of funding?

Intervention Orientation: Do the aims of the project lend themselves to realistic disease interventions which could affect the reduction of illness burden?

Grants may run for 3 years

The PRF awards bursaries towards obtaining the following types of qualifications:

• BSc (Hons) – Applicants that have obtained a minimum pass of 60%
• Masters – Applicants that have obtained a minimum pass of 60%
• PhD

Bursaries are ordinarily awarded only to South African citizens or persons with permanent residency permits for South Africa. A limited number of bursaries may be awarded to other non-South African applicants.

The PRF does not support applications from full-time employees (salary receiving employees)

Once the award has been made the scholarship holder cannot change the research project without the approval of the PRF

All new applications as well as renewal applications must be completed in full and all required documents attached (this includes Supervisor’s written support)

Please note: Other than exceptional circumstances the maximum duration of support will be 2 years for Masters and 3 years for PhD bursaries.

CLICK HERE FOR Bursary Application Forms

The award which is at present R 350,000 + flight (one year), is for outstanding candidates to enable them to develop their research careers in overseas academic institutions.

The fellowship is a prestige award made only to those eminently well qualified to receive it.

Those eligible for the award are postgraduates with at least a medical degree or degree in veterinary sciences or a doctorate degree in the sciences or equivalents

Detailed motivation including the candidates curriculum vitae and motivating letter from the supervisor or head of the department, detailed research proposal approved by the head of department and by the overseas host institution are required

This Fellowship will be awarded to outstanding candidates to enable them to develop their research careers internationally in academic institutions

Potential applicants may need to be interviewed by members of the Scientific Advisory Panel

Fellows will be required to give an undertaking to return to South Africa for at least 3 years upon completion of their research projects internationally.

CLICK HERE TO Research Grant Application

The funding ceiling is R 500 000 per annum for 3 years

A small number of Major Impact grants will be awarded each year for outstanding grant applications which have high impact value

This will generally be kept to a maximum of TWO MIP’s at any one time unless exceptional/extraordinary application(s) arise

The value of these grants are considerably higher than that of normal research grants

As the allocated values are significantly greater than normal grants, full and detailed motivation will be required as well as information proving merit and high impact of the project

MIP grants will not generally be made for projects in fields which already receive significant funding

CLICK HERE TO Major Impact Project (MIP) Application Form

The award which is at present R 350,000 + flight (one year), is for outstanding candidates to enable them to develop their research careers in overseas academic institutions.

The fellowship is a prestige award made only to those eminently well qualified to receive it.

Those eligible for the award are postgraduates with at least a medical degree or degree in veterinary sciences or a doctorate degree in the sciences or equivalents

Detailed motivation including the candidates curriculum vitae and motivating letter from the supervisor or head of the department, detailed research proposal approved by the head of department and by the overseas host institution are required

This Fellowship will be awarded to outstanding candidates to enable them to develop their research careers internationally in academic institutions

Potential applicants may need to be interviewed by members of the Scientific Advisory Panel

Fellows will be required to give an undertaking to return to South Africa for at least 3 years upon completion of their research projects internationally.

CLICK HERE TO James Gear Fellowship Application Form

Grants are to be submitted on the relevant form

An application for renewal with details of results achieved, papers published and presented at congresses need to be submitted for the second and third year as well as any requests for modifications of the grant

A final report at the end of the third year detailing results achieved must be completed and submitted to the PRF

The closing date for these applications to be received at the PRF is 28 February of each year