The University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) invites eligible emerging academic staff members to apply for seed funding to support their research projects. This initiative is part of UKZN’s commitment to fostering the growth and development of emerging researchers, providing crucial support for those early in their academic careers.
Project Purpose
The seed funding aims to empower emerging academics by addressing financial barriers that may limit their research and professional development. With this funding, recipients can carry out essential research activities, enhance their research profiles, and support their supervised students. By providing support at this formative stage, the project seeks to cultivate a new generation of independent researchers who will contribute significantly to knowledge advancement in their fields.
Eligibility Criteria
THE UCDP FUNDING IS RESTRICTED TO:
- South African citizens and permanent
- Permanent, full-time academics at UKZN (Excl Joint, Adjunct and Honorary Appointments).
- Must have completed a PhD in the last 3 years.
All SEED funding awards will be capped at a maximum of R50,000.
Applicants must either have attended a grant proposal writing workshop or formally commit to attending one prior to or alongside their application. Evidence of attendance, whether completed or scheduled, must be included in the application
Application Process and Deadline
Please Click here to upload your completed application form. The deadline for submission is Thursday, 18 June 2026.
Applicants who have been awarded in 2025 and have not fully utilised the funds must first exhaust the budget they have. The funds from 2025 will still be available to them in 2026. However, if they require additional funds, they are welcome to apply.
For further details on eligible expenses, please contact the Central UCDP Office at ucdp@ukzn.ac.za before submitting your application. Please note that only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed.
We look forward to supporting your academic journey and helping you establish a strong foundation for future research endeavours.
All signatures must be obtained and all supporting documentation must be submitted with the application, incomplete applications will not be considered
