CSIR Photonics Centre’s Rental Pool Programme (South Africa)

Aim

• The programme’s aim is to support laser- and laser-based application research in South Africa, and to develop, encourage and support a unique programme to build and grow a sustainable corps of expert researchers in South Africa utilising laser technology in their research programmes. The objectives of the programme are to:
  • Stimulate and support research at South African HEIs in laser-related research, in all research fields.
  • Render technical and scientific support to RPP participants at the HEIs.
  • Support the development of the next generation of scientists/engineers to rejuvenate and strengthen the ageing South African scientific and engineering community.
  • Encourage research collaboration.
  • Effectively manage and expand the CSIR Photonics Centre RPP.

Funding Information

• The programme allows access to equipment at the CSIR Photonics Centre facilities and equipment rental for use at the researcher’s university laboratories. The programme also provides for the upgrading of existing equipment to ensure suitability for the proposed project. In summary, the grant funds the following activities:
  • Preparation and upgrade of equipment approved within the programme.
  • Maintenance of equipment supported by the CSIR RPP.
  • Delivery, setup and return cost of equipment where necessary.
  • Technical or scientific support from the CSIR Photonics Centre staff.
  • Insurance costs for CSIR-owned equipment while at the HEI.
  • Travel and accommodation costs are limited to travelling to CSIR Photonics Centre laboratories or facilities at HEIs where CSIR RPP equipment is hosted to access equipment in approved research projects.
  • Accommodation and travel support for attendance of annual RPP Review Meeting (if applicable). Grant holders and their students who are involved in the supported project are required to attend this compulsory reporting session.
  • New laser or ancillary equipment required to support research activities
  • Consumables required for research activities, limited to optics and other laserbased consumables to support the research project proposed.
• Each project will be eligible for new ancillary equipment (smaller diagnostic equipment) to a maximum value of R100 000 and laser-related consumables to a maximum value of R75 000, subject to funding availability. Consumables will remain the property of the grant holder’s institution and will assist in establishing in-house laser infrastructure.
• All of the above mentioned costs will form the budget of each grant holder based on the equipment they request for their laboratories.
• Duration of the grant: Researchers can apply for a multi-year project, with a maximum duration of three years.

Eligibility Criteria

• Researchers from all HEIs (public universities) may participate in the CSIR Photonics Centre RPP Grant Scheme.
• The programme considers applications from researchers who are:
  • Involved in laser-based research in any field in natural science, engineering and health sciences.
  • Hold at least a master’s degree and have a reasonable research track record.
  • Employed at South African HEIs on a full-time permanent or full-time contract basis. If on contract basis, the length of the contract should at least be for the duration of the research project applied for and be clearly indicated in the application.
• Participation of post-graduate students (doctoral and master’s students as key drivers), registered at a recognised South African HEI, is critical, as are collaborations with other researchers based at the applicant’s institution and other institutions. These should be stated clearly by the researcher in the application. Although student involvement is a priority, the primary motivation for the research grant is to address a specific research question. Proposals which requests funding support merely for student training will not be considered.

For more information, visit CSIR.