August 2018 - Postgraduate Cancer Research Initiative (CRI) blog

Closing Date: Thursaday, 20 September, 2018

BACKGROUND

In a globalised world, the internationalisation of research is imperative for the competitiveness of any country. While international collaboration has always been an intrinsic part of the research and innovation (R&I) endeavour, the forces of competitiveness and globalisation are accelerating the scope, pace and importance of cross-border R&I, strengthened by directed partnerships both within and outside of South Africa. Stakeholders around the world are working to internationalise their R&I efforts, driven by the need to establish a global reputation, to access global knowledge and expertise, and to mobilise new resources.

Striving towards an internationally competitive science, technology and innovation system is one of the strategic performance goals of the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) Vision. The essential purpose of this intervention is to build and maintain excellence in South African research, rather than to only facilitate international collaboration. The promotion of international collaboration through the support of travel opportunities and participation in scientific events, enriched by national learning opportunities and engagements, are important mechanisms towards this goal.

The Knowledge, Interchange and Collaboration (KIC) instrument was therefore established to contribute to the following objectives:

Internationalising South Africa’s research platform;
Enhancing networking within the global science system;
Fostering collaboration in order to improve the quality of research outputs by researchers.

Within the NRF funding context, the internationalisation of research is an intrinsic part of the current funding instruments, built into research grants awarded through programmes such as Competitive Funding for Rated Researchers, the South African Research Chairs Initiatives (SARChI), and the Centres of Excellence (CoE) Programme. Therefore, funding for KIC support is prioritised for those researchers who have not already been allocated travel support through any other current NRF grant awards.

For more information, including the types of support, kindly view KIC Call Guide 2nd round 2018.

Dear UCT Postgraduate CRI Member:

The Cancer Research Institute is currently accepting applications for its CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The CRI Irvington Fellowship furthers career development and supports laboratory research for promising young scientists working under the mentorship of leading immunologists.

PROGRAM UPDATE

In recent years, significant advances in immunotherapy have yielded major breakthroughs in cancer treatment. CRI recognizes however that getting to the next great breakthrough will require continued investment in fundamental research and training. With this in mind, CRI is widening the scope of its fellowship program and will now accept applications from qualified young scientists at leading universities and research centers around the world who wish to receive training in fundamental immunology or tumor immunology.

The Institute is seeking hypothesis-driven, mechanistic studies in both immunology and tumor immunology that aim to directly impact our understanding of the immune system’s role in cancer.

Deadline: October 1, 2018
Funding: $175,500 over three years