CFPs: Collaborative Programme in Additive Manufacturing – South Africa

The Collaborative Programme in Additive Manufacturing is an initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation hosted and managed by the CSIR.

The programme has successfully fostered new knowledge generation in the field of additive manufacturing (AM) and supported a large cohort of postgraduate students conducting research projects focused on both metal AM and polymer AM technology value chains.

Focus Areas

• Support is available for projects within these key focus areas:
  • Industry-led AM research and development: In this call proposals solicited for research collaboration projects between an industry partner, preferably in the private sector, and a higher education institution (HEI) or science council partner active in the field of AM. The research partner does not necessarily have to be from the present CPAM network.
  • Postgraduate research initiatives: In this call proposals solicited for the CPAM Mentorship Program. This call is directed to experienced senior researchers who have retired but can still play an active role in support of research institutions in research and development programs in the field of additive manufacturing (AM), as well as supervising post graduate students in CPAM supported projects.
  • Mentorship and support programme: In this call proposals are solicited for post graduate research and development (R&D) projects. This call is directed to all South African tertiary educational institutions and science councils that are active in research and development of additive manufacturing technologies and who also has the capacity to supervise post graduate students on post graduate research projects in the field of additive manufacturing (AM).

Funding Information

• Industry-led AM research and development:
  • An annual budget request per project of between R 500 000 and R 800 000 is allowable. This budget allocation excludes the contribution of the industry partner to the project.
  • Project durations can be between 6 months and 36 months as a maximum.
• Postgraduate research initiatives:
  • An annual budget request per project of R 275 000 maximum is allowed.
  • Project durations can be between 12 months and 36 months as a maximum.
• Mentorship and support programme:
  • For doctoral student projects R 250 000 per year per project per student is allowed. This includes a bursary value of R 170 000 and R 80 000 for materials, testing and other consumables per student project.
  • For master students R 180 000 per year per project per student is allowed. This includes a bursary value of R 120 000 and R 60 000 for materials, testing and other consumables per student project.
  • Project durations can be between 12 months and 36 months as a maximum.

Eligibility Criteria 

• Industry-led AM research and development:
  • Proposals may be submitted by an industry partner, preferably in the private sector, and a HEI or science council partner active in the field of AM.
  • It is preferred for the Industry Led R&D proposals to be submitted by an industry partner:
    • The industry partner must meet requirements as ‘lead user’ and will be required to be the lead applicant.
    • The industry partner must demonstrate willingness to co-fund and co development must be evident as an indicator for adoption of the outputs of the R&D program.
    • If the industry partner elects not to submit the proposal as the lead investigator the proposal may be submitted by the research partner. The industry partner must however sign off on the proposal as a co-applicant.
  • The requirement is that there must be a HEI Science Council partner involved. Proposals without a HEI or Science Council partner will be disqualified.
  • The proposal may be developed for applications in any sector where AM may be utilized.
  • Additive manufacturing processes and or AM hardware has to be core to the proposal.
  • The project may be structured as a student R&D projects.
  • Outputs will typically be a knowledge product such as a technology demonstrator, technology package or process document.
• Postgraduate research initiatives:
  • Proposals may be submitted by any experienced research professional who is not full time employed and who has worked extensively in the field of AM.
  • The following should be noted with respect to the eligibility criteria:
    • The applicant should have at least a doctoral degree in the field related to additive manufacturing.
    • The applicant must have a strong research track record, with a good publication track record. There must be proof of publications which were authored or co-authored in the past 3 years with topics related to additive manufacturing.
    • The proposed mentorship role must be focused on support towards research and development projects in additive manufacturing processes and or AM hardware.
  • Applications from applicants who are employed as a full-time researcher at a South African research institution active in the field of additive manufacturing will not be considered for funding.
• Mentorship and support programme:
  • Proposals may be submitted by any South African tertiary educational institution or science council that is active in research and development of additive manufacturing technologies and who also has the capacity to supervise postgraduate students on postgraduate research projects in the field of additive manufacturing (AM).
  • The following should be noted with respect to the eligibility criteria:
    • The applicant needs to be a full-time researcher at a South African research institution active in the field of additive manufacturing.
    • The applicant should at least have a masters degree in a field related to AM. It is preferable that the applicant holds a doctoral degree and has a student supervision track record.
    • The proposal needs to be structured around a research theme that addresses aspects of the AM technology value chain, broken down into a number of sub projects which are structured as post graduate student projects.
    • The proposal may be developed for applications in any sector where AM may be utilized.
    • Additive manufacturing processes and or AM hardware must be core to the proposal.
    • Proposals where there are industry partners directly involved will be given preference.
    • Projects must be structured with defined outputs including the following:
      • HCD outputs as demonstrated through direct student involvement and student graduations.
      • Knowledge product outputs such as:
        • Publications in peer reviewed journals
        • Conference presentations, preferably based on peer reviewed papers.
        • Technology demonstrators, verified by institutional Technology Transfer Offices or similar.
        • Technology packages or process documents.
        • Technical progress reports can also be included as deliverables.

For more information, visit CSIR.