Call for Applications: Centres for Innovation and Entrepreneurship South Africa (up to R700,000) Deadline: 15 September, 2024

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), is calling for the submission of funding applications from TIA investees or innovators funded through other organisations in the National System of Innovation (NSI) who through their technologies have created/have an interest in creating new centres to support SMMEs in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). This Call is targeted at applications from marginalised communities (i.e. townships and rural areas) in South Africa. 

A total of eight centres will be funded through this Call. The funding available for each centre is R700,000 to take a cohort of a minimum of 30 SMMEs through a training process where they will emerge with new skills and technologies/products/solutions/innovations in science and technology.

Funding

• Grant funding up to a maximum of R700,000 to develop a new centre focusing on supporting SMMEs in innovation and entrepreneurship.
• TIA will retain the first right of refusal to fund any innovation outputs of the project; and
• The duration of the project shall be a maximum period of 18 months.

Eligibility

• Open to TIA investees/innovators funded through other organisations in the National System of Innovation (NSI) who have created new centres or have an interest in creating and have a demonstrable track record of the technology deployed in the market.
• Priority will be given to the underserved provinces. Due to the large number of centres in Gauteng, applications from the Gauteng region will not be considered in this round of funding. A high priority is placed on establishing centres excluding the following districts/metros: Eastern Cape, Guateng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Western Cape.
• Applicants who demonstrate the ability to train a cohort of at least a minimum of 30 SMMEs in innovation and entrepreneurship for a period of 6 to 12 months, and support them with product development, market access opportunities, etc.
• Applicants who demonstrate access to a training room and training materials and can deliver a training programme for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Assessment Criteria

All applications will undergo an assessment as per the mandatory criteria for eligibility outlined below:

• A clear and relevant training programme/ intervention targeting SMMEs in innovation and entrepreneurship has been clearly articulated.
• Ability to provide support to 50 SMME’s through an activation programme (design thinking, awareness days on innovation, etc)
• The ability to train a minimum of 30 SMMEs in innovation and entrepreneurship for a 6-12 month period has been clearly articulated.
• Targeted SMMEs (geographic location, marginalised communities).
• Access to training facilities and training materials has been demonstrated.
• Compliance with the specifications of this Call for proposals

Application

Deadline: 15 September, 2024

The completed proposals must be submitted by email to Ms Atini Noholoza at [email protected] on or before 15 September 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. Only applications completed on the application form provided will be accepted.

Click here to download application form

For more information, visit CIE.