INDO-SOUTH AFRICAN PROGRAMME OF COOPERATION IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The Indo-South African Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology facilitates bilateral cooperation between the scientific communities of the two countries by way of joint research projects, bilateral workshops/ seminars, exploratory visits of scientist, scientific delegations and composite (scientific and industrial) delegations. Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology. Government of India, New Delhi and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of South Africa, Pretoria are the Nodal Agencies in India and South Africa respectively. The National Research Foundation in South Africa is the implementing agency for the agreement on behalf of DST.

Areas of cooperation : The support is available to the following broad scientific areas :

• Information Science and Software Development
• Basic and Fundamental Sciences, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Astrophysics, etc.
• Biotechnology
• Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Energy, including Renewable Energy Sources
• Food Science & Technology and Food Processing
• Health Science
• Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Sciences
• Micro-electronics and Communications
• Material Science
• Mineral and Mining Technology
• Science & Technology Policy Studies

Who can apply :

The joint application must include two principal investigators , one in South Africa and one in India. The principal investigators have the main responsibility for the scientific and financial reporting which must be done annually before the next disbursements of funding. They are also responsible for the technical as well as administrative co-ordination of the project.

The Principal Investigator (PI) and other investigators in India should be Scientists/ faculty members working in regular capacity in UGC recognized Universities/ Deemed Universities, Academic Institutes and National Research & Development Laboratories/ Institutes. The Indian PI should not be retiring during the proposed duration of the project.

The principal investigator in South Africa should ideally possess a PhD and must be a member of a university, technikon, or science council. Other research organizations may qualify for support under this programme only if they form part of a consortium wit a South African university, technikon, or science council. Applications which supports the previously disadvantaged groups will be encouraged.

Kind of support available : Financial support is available from the respective agencies from the two sides for the exchange visit component only as per the financial terms given below:

1. The sending side provides international airfare to the host country.
2. The receiving side is responsible for the following arrangements :
2.1 The South African scientists visiting India are paid an amount of Indian Rupee 350/- per day in case of short term visits (up to 31 days), and Indian Rupee 6,000/- per month in case of long term visits (more than 31 days) towards food and out of pocket allowances.
2.2 The Indian scientists visiting South Africa on short term basis are provided an amount of Rand 100 per day, and Rand 2500 per month on a long term visit towards food and out of pocket allowances.
2.3 For short term visits, however, the maximum payment made to the researchers shall not exceed the total per diem for 23 days only.
2.4 The host country provides free furnished accommodation in a Guest House or Hotel with reasonable amenities.
2.5 The host country is responsible for internal transport to and from the airport for all visiting scientists. In case of senior scientists (in the rank of Director or above), transport shall be provided for all official engagement .
2.6 Airport tax, if any, shall be paid by the receiving side.
2.7 The host is responsible for internal travel of the visiting scientists.
2.8 The receiving state pays the registration fees for participation of visiting scientists in seminars, workshops etc. in accordance with Article 5.

3. All visiting scientists should take out medical insurance for the duration of their stay in each other’s country. The sending state reimburses the scientists with the amount that such insurance might cost.

It is expected that participating institutes themselves support the use of equipment, manpower, consumables, etc.

Processing : Ten copies of project proposals may be submitted in the prescribed format simultaneously to the agencies in India and South Africa on or before the given deadline:
In India: International Division (Dr Rajiv Sharma, Director), Department of Science & Technology, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110016

In South Africa: International Science Liaison, National Research Foundation, P O Box 2600. 0001 Pretoria.

(E-mail: [email protected])

In India the format is available on the website : http://dst.gov.in. In case of difficulty in getting from this site, the same may be obtained as Msword file by sending an (no attachment please) with subject "Proposal Format for Indo-SA COP 2003" to [email protected] .