The South African Space Agency (SANSA) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are calling for applications from startups, small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), as well as entrepreneurs, to seek funding through the New Earth Observation Frontiers Enterprise Innovation Support Fund (NEOFrontiersEISF). This fund, part of the NEOFrontiers programme, is backed by SANSA and overseen by the NRF, aiming to bolster skills, technology, and product development within South Africa’s EO community.
Areas Of Support
The NEOFrontiersEISF will prioritise proposals that explore innovative applications of Earth Observation in the following domains:
- Advancements and product development in banking, insurance, mining, healthcare innovation, and community-based services.
- Cross-disciplinary service domains and decision-making tools to bolster the circular economy, blue economy, security and defence, food security/precision agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and early warning systems.
Key Funding Parameters
- Item: NEOFrontiersEISF
- Funding Approach: Grants
- Funding Limit: Grants will be provided to supported enterprises through the designated incubation partner. If academic institutions are part of the project, a portion of the funds will be directly transferred by the NRF. Each project can receive up to ZAR 1 million for its duration, with funding allocated explicitly for research and innovation activities.
- Funding Period: 12 months
Fundable Activities
- Development of a technology, prototype or product
- Product development
- Skills development
- Business support and advisory
- Equipment that is related to the completion of the project and will not be more than 30% of the approved amount will only be approved if any other service provider does not have the required equipment.
- Piloting and conducting field studies
Non-fundable Activities
- Salary contributions to team members of the funded enterprise
- Working capital and company-related costs
- Basic research
- Any activities that are not related to the approved project
Eligibility Criteria
The following conditions must be met for the applying enterprises to be considered for funding.
- Must be a South African citizen with a Small Micro and Medium Enterprise registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)
- Must have a valid Tax clearance certificate
- Must have a valid Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) certificate
- Must have an innovative idea that can be used to address challenges in the focus areas mentioned above.
Important Information
- Check here for eligibility criteria and application guidelines
- Contacts: Phindile Tshabangu
- Email: phindile@tuksnovation.co.za
- Closing Date: 15 March 2024
Check here to learn more about the programme.
Click here to get real time data and information on every Segments and players in the African space and satellite industry.
