To support and aid potential South African Framework Programme participants, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has created a number of dedicated support instruments.

• Framework Programme Seed Funding Instrument
  One of the key challenges potential South African FP7 participants has to meet is to find European partners to join European consortia submitting FP7 project proposals. Cognisant of the difficulties sometimes posed to South African researchers looking for FP7 partners, the DST created a "Seed Funding Instrument." Under the Seed Funding Instrument, the DST is able to support the travel costs of South African researchers travelling to Europe to engage with potential European partners regarding FP7 collaboration. Alternatively funding can be granted to support the travel of European researchers to South Africa.
  
  Funding is allocated upon the evaluation of applications submitted to the DST. Seed funding applications for example have to demonstrate the applicant's prior, thorough interrogation of the Work Programme of the FP7 activity concerned. South African researchers wishing to participate in the first rounds of the FP7 calls are encouraged to submit early applications for seed funding.
  
  
• Framework Programme Strategic Co-investment Instrument
  Under this instrument, successful South African FP7 participants which do not receive full funding from the European Commission for their FP7 project costs - as is possible under the FP7 funding rules - can apply for a strategic co-investment in their participation and receive funding for part of the remaining projects costs from DST. Applicants must submit a comprehensive application detailing, for example, the strategic significance of the project from a national R&D perspective. Applicants must also register their intention to apply for co-investment funding with the DST prior to the FP7 proposal submission.

Contact the ESASTAP Team for further information.