The UKZN Teaching and Learning Office invites applications for the 2026 Teaching Innovations, and Quality Enhancement Grant offered under the Department of Higher Education and Training – University Capacity Development Plan (UCDP).
The Teaching Innovations and Quality Enhancement Grant (TIQEG) is available to qualifying staff seeking to build scholarships in University teaching and learning. The grant enables creative exploration and experimentation related to enhancing quality in teaching and learning.
For the purpose of this grant, ‘innovation’ refers to the use of novel, original, different, fresh, unusual, unfamiliar, uncommon, inventive, ground-breaking, and transformational approaches, activities and resources to promote and sustain excellence in teaching and learning in higher education.
‘Quality enhancement’ refers to measures taken within a course, programme or University to enhance or strengthen activities, processes, outcomes and products related to teaching and learning. These can relate to curriculum transformation, the adoption of innovative educational approaches, the use of new technologies to enhance the way students learn, or aspects of staff development.
Research proposals will be evaluated for their relevance and potential to contribute new knowledge around teaching and learning in higher education, including engagement with the University’s teaching and learning vision and mission, which advance African Scholarship, have innovative research designs that are multidisciplinary and collaborative. A Review Panel will evaluate each application for the research idea’s novelty, academic merit, feasibility, and appropriacy of budget requests.
FUNDING AREAS SUPPORTED BY THE GRANT INCLUDE:
- Teaching relief
- Direct running expenses (i.e., data collection and fieldwork, purchase of chemicals, research assistants, etc.)
- Statistical and editing services
- Conference or workshop attendance (limited to 1 local/regional conference per application)
COSTS NOT SUPPORTED/ RESTRICTED BY THE UCDP GRANT CONDITIONS:
- Purchase of equipment
- Binding and printing costs
- Page Fees
- Scholarships for students
- Appointment of post-doctoral fellows
- Books
- Entertainment costs
- Use and payment to external consultants should be limited
MONETARY VALUE OF THE GRANTS
Grants of between R 25 000 and a maximum of R50 000 may be awarded.
DURATION OF GRANT PERIOD
The grant period will be from the date of approval to the end of November 2026.
PLEASE NOTE:
- The UCDP Funding is restricted to:
- South African citizens and permanent residents
- Permanent, full-time academic staff of the UKZN
- The application must be completed in full prior to submission (including all required signatories). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Please check with Mrs Mbalenhle Mkhize on (ucdp@ukzn.ac.za) for categories of expenses not covered above – prior to applying.
- Ethical Approval
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that research involving animal or human subjects receives ethical approval. Note that funds will not be disbursed until the relevant requirements have been fulfilled, where applicable.
Please note:
- Preference will be given to first-time applicants.
- Second+ time applicants should send a progress report/summary of how previous funds have benefited them.
Please request the TIQEG Policy for detailed guidance
