Page 165 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON

FUNDING HEALTH INNOVATION

Grants Innovation and Product Development

The Grants Innovation and Product Development (GIPD) Unit of the SAMRC supports research and innovation
through a number of grant programmes, strategic partnerships, strategic programmes, and innovation
initiatives, as depicted in the Figure below, thereby contributing to two of the organisation's core functions
and strategic objectives. These enable the SAMRC to support and build the health research and innovation
ecosystem in South Africa, drive cutting-edge scientific advancement and facilitate the development and
testing of novel health solutions.

OVERVIEW OF THE GRANT AND INNOVATION PROGRAMMES
AND STRATEGIC PROJECTS MANAGED BY THE GRANTS
INNOVATION AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT UNIT

The total expenditure on research and innovation exceeded the SAMRC’s targets for indicators 2.3.1,
grants during the 2025/2026 financial year was over 3.1.1, and 3.2.1 in 2025/2026.
R300 million. GIPD’s rigorous grant management
standard operating procedures ensure that health GIPD Programmes and
research funding is administered effectively and
efficiently by the SAMRC. Alongside consistent Strategic Projects
clean audits, these have helped attract significant Strategic Health Innovation
funding from various local and international
strategic partners. Additional substantial funding Partnerships (SHIP)
raised to support the National Health Research SHIP is a major programme through which the
Enterprise (NHRE), to mitigate against US funding SAMRC, in collaboration with the Department
cuts and a renewed emphasis on innovation within of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI),
the unit, has contributed to an expanded portfolio supports the development and testing of novel
of research and innovation grants. This portfolio health solutions aimed at HIV, malaria, TB, non-

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