18 October 2012

This is a highly competitive programme

The Blue Skies Research Programme can be described as multi-dimensional self-initiated, curiosity-driven inquiry that necessitates high investment risks, addresses new phenomena, as well as push the frontiers of knowledge.

Blue Skies-type of research is associated with fundamental and basic research programmes.

Objectives of the Blue Skies Programme:
The objectives of the Blue Skies programme are:
1. To provide space and time for research to push the frontiers of knowledge and to encourage imagination through scientific and scholarly endeavours
2. To support and sustain communities of critical and free thinkers
3. To promote and encourage diversity in research for re-imagining disciplines or academies
4. To bring about new and unpredictable scientific / technological / scholarly discoveries / interpretations / understandings / knowledges

Call for Concept Notes and Subsequent Procedure for Funded Applicants
• Call for Concept Notes - UP deadline 18 October 2012
• Fund successful Concept Notes for one year only to a maximum of R200,000 each (applicants will be informed in February 2013)
• Invite successful Concept Note applicants to submit Full proposals (invitations will be made in February 2014)
• Full proposals must address:
• New phenomena
• Push frontiers of knowledge
• Multi-dimensionality, and show
• Proof of concept (clear evidence of progress made and milestones achieved during the Concept Note funding phase)

How to Apply:
Applications should be submitted electronically on the NRF Online Submission System at https:/nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za


Curriculum Vitae:
Applicants must ensure that their Curriculum Vitae are created or updated on the NRF Submission system at https:/nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za These Curriculum Vitae will be used in the Assessment Processes.
All outputs that were entered by researchers on the previous NRF Online system were migrated to the NRF Submission system.
When logging on to the NRF Submission system, researchers are requested to verify their outputs on the Landing Page by selecting the type of output under the heading “To be Reviewed” and verifying each output individually until there are none left to be reviewed.
Detailed Information: Refer to the attached Blue Skies Research Programme, Framework Document, August 2012 for eligibility and other criteria.
Please pay special attention to Eligibility for Concept Notes, Assessment Criteria and Budgeting in the attached document.

All applications must be submitted on https:/nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za by 18 October 2012.

For more information please see attached document.

UP Contact and Designated Authority (DA):
Mrs Didi Botes
Research Support; Marketing Building Room 2-6
University of Pretoria
Tel: (012) 420-2871; Fax: (012) 420-4025
[email protected]

NRF Contacts:

REFER QUERIES TO
NRF Grant officer: NRF Liaison Officer:
Name: Mmamokete Mabuela
Telephone: 012 481 4882
e-Mail: [email protected]

Name: Singathwa Mbangeni
Telephone: 012 481 4269
e-Mail: [email protected]