Request for Applications: SAMRC-TIA Seed Fund Programme
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is pleased to announce the release of its 6th SAMRC-TIA Seed Fund (SAMRC-TSF) call, for the 2025/26 FY. The purpose of the SAMRC-TSF is to assist innovators who are developing new products to complete product design and optimise prototypes, based on market feedback, to meet regulatory requirements and to complete other activities towards market-ready products. This call is specifically aimed at fostering academia and industry collaborative technology development that results in joint intellectual property (IP) that can be commercialised for the benefit of society.
The focus of the call is health innovation and well-being.
Call details
This Academia–Industry Seed Fund Call seeks to advance South Africa’s National System of Innovation (NSI) by fostering impactful partnerships between publicly funded research institutions and industry stakeholders. The programme aims to facilitate effective technology transfer and industry adoption, with a focus on projects that demonstrate strong commercialisation potential and significant socio-economic benefits.
This funding is intended for technologies that have reached Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 5 or 6 and are seeking funding for their technology or innovation to achieve a minimum viable product ready for piloting and market testing, with clear regulatory pathway and route to market. Applicants may apply for up to R1,500,000 (including VAT) with 80% allocated to project-related activities and 20% directed toward enabling activities. The implementation period for supported projects is 12 to 24 months. A second round of funding may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applications must include the following documentation and submissions lacking any of these will not be considered:
- A signed collaboration agreement, or evidence that such an agreement is being finalised (e.g., a draft agreement or a signed letter from both parties outlining the collaboration scope).
- Proof of co-funding for collaborations involving SOEs and/or private companies
- A closeout report for any previous TIA-funded projects (if applicable)
- A detailed project plan completed using the prescribed template
- A technical report describing the status and readiness of the innovation
Who should apply
- SAMRC researchers, students and other staff who are collaborating with at least one industry partner to develop a product
Exclusions
- Service-based projects that are primarily service-oriented rather than collaboration-focused
- Projects that have already received TIA Seed Fund or other public funding for the same activities
- Applications without clearly defined, innovation-driven outcomes with commercialisation potential.
This call is open to SAMRC researchers, staff and students ONLY. Researchers and or innovators from other science councils and universities as well as SMEs will NOT be considered and are encouraged to apply through their respective technology transfer offices.
Submissions
The SAMRC TTO, within Grants Innovation and Product Development (GIPD), will receive and coordinate applications to submit to a Steering Committee and to TIA for consideration and is available to assist the applicants with such applications.
Please consult the SAMRC-TSF guidelines and complete the accompanying SAMRC-TSF application form and Project Plan Template, should you wish to apply for the funding.
Please direct any queries, requests for information, and completed applications for this TSF call to: tto@mrc.ac.za
Tshepang Khahlu
Technology Transfer Manager
Grants Innovation and Product Development
South African Medical Research Council
Email: tshepang.khahlu@mrc.ac.za
Tel: 021 938 0257
Web: https://www.samrc.ac.za/innovation/grants-innovation-and-product-development
