ERC – European Research Council

The European Research Council (ERC) and the South African Department for Science and Innovation (DSI) signed an agreement in December 1996, to encourage, develop and facilitate access to research opportunities between the DSI and the ERC.

This initiative gives the possibility to researchers supported by the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Career Advancement Fellowships and the Postdoctoral Research Fellowships the opportunity to temporarily join ERC research teams based in Europe, facilitating cooperation in similar areas of research or on topics of mutual interest. This arrangement is part of the ERC’s global outreach strategy that aims to make Europe a hub for research talent.

Background on the NRF/ERC partnership and the joint funding opportunity offered

In 2012, the European Research Council (ERC), guided by its belief that international exposure enhances researchers’ potential, decided to open its funded research teams to the global research community. This approach aligns with the mandate of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) to foster human capacity development. As a result, the DSI and NRF partnered with the ERC, becoming part of the broader initiative titled “Opening ERC Teams to the World.”

The primary goal of this partnership is to create opportunities for non-European researchers to collaborate with ERC-funded teams. These collaborations enable researchers from around the world to work alongside European colleagues supported by ERC grants. In October 2015, South Africa formalised its participation by signing an agreement with the ERC, joining 11 other countries in this initiative. Current partner countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States.

Through the NRF/ERC partnership, South African researchers can engage with ERC-funded teams by undertaking research visits and contributing to collaborative projects. ERC-funded institutions will host South African researchers for agreed periods, fully integrating them into their research activities. These collaborations are expected to focus on shared scientific interests and areas of mutual relevance.

Specific aims of the programme

• To contribute to scientific advancement in both South Africa and the EU through the funding of research visits in thematic fields of mutual interest.
• To provide an opportunity for early-mid career researchers in South Africa to meet and interact with their European counterparts in order to develop their full research potential.
• To contribute meaningfully to research capacity development of South African researchers by broadening and strengthening their research profile and vision in an internationally competitive research environment.
• To contribute to and ensure that South African researchers are internationally exposed and well networked.