The Africa Collaboration Grant (ACG) is an initiative of the Centre for Collaboration in Africa (CCA) at SU International, aimed at deepening and expanding SU’s engagement across the African continent.

The ACG supports a range of collaborative activities designed to strengthen academic networks and partnerships with institutions in other African countries. 

The grant is open to:

• SU staff members wishing to host or visit academic or administrative partners at African bilateral partner institutions
• Postdoctoral fellows seeking to establish or strengthen research collaborations with African institutions
• Postgraduate students attending academic conferences elsewhere in Africa
• Emerging scholars and early-career academics who wish to contribute to workshops or collaborative initiatives across Africa

We consider applications on a semester basis, with calls for proposals issued regularly throughout the academic year.

The ACG provides a valuable opportunity to advance SU’s commitment to meaningful African collaboration through knowledge exchange, mobility, and joint capacity-building.

The current call for applications is structured as follows:

Grants awarded by SU International are intended to contribute to the internationalisation of the academic environment and the institution as a whole.

Applications must be submitted via our online application form. You will be redirected to the form by clicking the Apply button below.

To complete your application please upload the following signed and completed documents:

1. Africa Collaboration Grant: Head of Department & Dean Signatures Form
2. Africa Collaboration Grant: Budget Form

Additionally, please prepare and upload the following supporting documents:

• Budgetary items (e.g. quotations for flights and accommodation)
• Proof of any co-funding sources
• A detailed activity programme
• A current version of your Curriculum Vitae

For queries related to the grant, please contact:

• Dr Nico Elema – [email protected]
• Ms Sue-Vicky Brandt – [email protected]

CRITERIA 

(a) The Africa Collaboration Grant should supplement grants provided by other sources (e.g. Dean’s fund research fund, third stream funds), as the ACG award should not exceed 66% of the total budget to a maximum of the respective amounts above. 

(b) The applicant must indicate how the funding will support collaboration, whether at the level of research, teaching or capacity development with partners based at one of SU’s bilateral partner institutions in Africa. 

(c) An applicant will only be eligible for the same category of the ACG every two years within one category

Category 1: Workshop or Conference Hosting (SU Staff)

Purpose:
To organise a workshop or academic conference in collaboration with SU’s bilateral partners in Africa.

Eligibility:
SU academic or administrative staff.

Conditions:

• The event must be co-hosted with at least one African partner institution with whom SU has a bilateral agreement.
• The joint nature of the planning and delivery must be clearly demonstrated.

Maximum Award: R80 000

Apply Online Here

Category 2a: Outgoing Research Visit (SU Staff)

Purpose:
To conduct a research visit to a bilateral partner institution in Africa.

Eligibility:
SU academic or administrative staff.

Conditions:

• The visit should support the establishment of future research collaboration, contribution to a joint scientific article, or participation in an existing collaborative project.
• Only one grant will be awarded per Department for the same visit; this may be allocated or split at the Dean's or Chairperson’s discretion.

Maximum Award: R30 000

Apply Online Here 

Category 3: Academic Conference Attendance (Postgraduate Students)

Purpose:
To attend an academic conference in another African country.

Eligibility:
Postgraduate students registered at SU.

Conditions:

• Application must be supported by the student’s research supervisor.
• Confirmation of the accepted conference abstract must be included.

Maximum Award: R20 000

Category 4: Research Visit (Postdoctoral Fellows)

Purpose:
To undertake a research visit to one or more SU bilateral partners in Africa.

Eligibility:
Postdoctoral fellows at SU.

Conditions:

• Invitations from host institutions must be attached.
• Only one grant will be awarded per Department for the same visit.
• This grant does not cover:
  • Conference attendance outside Africa
  • Visits within South Africa
  • Hosting keynote speakers for South African-based conferences

Maximum Award: R30 000

Category 5: Hosting Emerging Scholars (SU Staff on behalf of African Postgraduate Students)

Purpose:
To host postgraduate students from African partner institutions, either for study completion or for participation in a short course at SU.

Eligibility:
SU academic staff (supervisor, co-supervisor, or short course organizer).

Conditions:

• The applicant must demonstrate how the visit will contribute to the student's academic progress.
• Include proof of registration and supervision.
• For short courses, the student must be registered at a partner institution with which SU has a bilateral agreement.

Maximum Award: R20 000

Application form 

By submitting this form, you acknowledge and agree that the information provided will be collected and used for the intended purpose as outlined in the form.

Apply Here 

The Africa Collaboration Grant (ACG) Terms and Conditions

Applications for the ACG are invited on a semesterly basis, in line with the University's ongoing commitment to advancing African academic integration. Listed here are the terms and conditions.

Read terms and condition here.