The South African Department of Science and Technology has appointed National Contact Points (NCPs) to provide guidance and assistance to South African participants in the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The South African NCP Network consists of experts appointed because of their knowledge and experience of participation in European research programmes, as well as their understanding of South Africa's research strengths in the thematic areas they are responsible for.

The NCP Network is responsible for

• Raising awareness on the FP7 opportunities among the South African research community;
• Preparing the South African research community for participation in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7);
• Signposting concerns from the South African research community to the Department of Science and Technology;
• Advising, assisting and training South African FP7 participants with regard to FP7 rules of participation as well as strategic objectives;
• Marketing South African scientific and technological excellence in other FP7 participating countries; and
• Networking with counterpart NCPs in the European Union in order to assist South African FP7 participants in finding European partners.
• The South African FP7 Network of National Contact Points is managed by the Department of Science and Technology's Unit Strategic Partnerships.

• Aeronautics
• Energy
• Environment (including climate change)
• Food, agriculture and biotechnology
• Health
• Information and communication technologies
• Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies
• Science in Society
• Security
• Socio-economic sciences and the humanities
• Space
• Transport

Other National Contact Points (NCPs):

• Legal and Financial
• Mobility / Marie Curie Actions
• Fission Research (Euratom)

NCP National Coordinator
Mmboneni Muofhe
Tel: +27 12 843 6341