The Research Grant funds are to be used to finance academic and applied research projects on a sector-wide, sub-sector and/or company level, but with benefits of the research outcomes accruing to the sector or sub-sector as a whole and thus not benefiting only one company.

1. Chillibush9499IDC
To apply online for funding of R1 million or more go to www.idc.co.za
Telephone: 086 069 3888
Email: callcentre@idc.co.za
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) together
with Economic Development Department (EDD), entered
into an agreement for IDC to manage the Agro-Processing
Competitiveness Fund (APCF). The objective of APCF is to
facilitate increased competitiveness, growth, job creation and
development in the agro-processing and beverage sectors.
The Research Grant funds are to be used to finance academic
and applied research projects on a sector-wide, sub-sector
and/or company level, but with benefits of the research
outcomes accruing to the sector or sub-sector as a whole
and thus not benefiting only one company.
The APCF is calling for interested Institutions (both public
and private) to apply for grant funding, focusing on
topical research topics within the agro-processing sector;
opportunities and challenges of rural agro-processing
initiatives and others, which can be beneficial to the
industry at large.
In terms of the selection criteria, the following will be
of significance:
• Research must clearly contribute to the objectives of
the fund (sector-wide, sustainable competitiveness
and job creation);
• More weight will be given to research proposals looking
at the current topical issues within the agro-processing
value chain (e.g. competitiveness of the poultry industry;
rural agro-processing initiatives) that are also in line with
government priorities as espoused in the New Growth
Path, National Development Plan and the Industrial
Policy Action Plan (IPAP2);
• Period of research should not be more than 2 years,
linked to a project plan with a milestone.
The IDC, on behalf of EDD, is the administrator of the APCF
Fund, being the contracting party with institutions, and
researchers managing the research process.
Proposals must be sent to kennethc@idc.co.za no later than
Wednesday, 31 July 2013 at 12h00. To download the research
grant document go to www.idc.co.za
For further information contact Kenneth Chauke on
(011) 269 3006, or email kennethc@idc.co.za
Expression of interest on the Research
Grant Component of the Agro-Processing
Competitiveness Fund (APCF)