UFS internal closing date of 8 May 2023 was extended to 30 May 2023
 
The Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers (CSUR) is an instrument to support ring-fenced, once-off grants that are competitive and discipline-based in nature. The instrument is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the National Research Foundation (NRF) to drive transformation consistently and strategically by primarily supporting basic research as the foundation of knowledge production in the disciplines of the Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences.
 
Eligibility

• CSUR grant holders will only qualify for ONE CSUR grant cycle (three years). Thereafter, they will be expected to enter the rated stream and apply for funding from other NRF instruments such as the Competitive Programme for Rated Researchers (CPRR). Current or previous CSUR grant holders are not eligible for further CSUR funding.
• Each new principal investigator (PI) may submit only ONE CSUR application to this call. However, a researcher may participate in more than one project either as a co-investigator or collaborator. Postdoctoral fellows, students, technical and support staff are NOT eligible to apply.
• Full-time employees at NRF-recognised research institutions in South Africa who do not hold a valid NRF rating at the time of application are invited to apply.
• NRF-unrated part-time employees on contract at an NRF-recognised research institution (as defined above) in South Africa who do not currently hold a CSUR grant may apply, on condition that their appointment at the South African institution is for (at least) the duration of the project applied for. The length of the contract should be stated in the application form. The primary employment of the individual concerned must be with that institution. A contract researcher appointed at a research institution on behalf of a third party to fulfil a very specific function for the latter does not qualify for support.
• Successful unrated applicants will be eligible for funding for the duration of their awarded grant, up to a maximum period of three years. The grant allocation will be allowed to run for the duration of the award, even if the principal investigator is awarded an NRF rating during this period. Once rated, the principal investigator will be expected to enter the CPRR funding stream.
• Applicants who complete their projects funded through the Thuthuka rating track will not be considered for CSUR funding and are therefore advised to apply for rating so that they will be eligible to apply for either the Development Grant for Y-rated researchers or the CPRR.
• Retired unrated academics/researchers may apply.
  

Please refer to specific conditions in the Framework document.