Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) was established in terms of the TIA Act, 2008 (Act No. 26 of 2008), with the objective to stimulate, intensify and exploit technological innovation to improve economic growth and the quality of life of all South Africans.

PURPOSE OF THE CALL

TIA is calling for the submission of funding applications for developing innovative natural resource and energy technologies. The technological focus areas include:

NATURAL RESOURCES

• Water and Sanitation: Digitisation for water and wastewater treatment plants, water leak, sanitation and operations efficiency technologies.
• Circular Economy: Waste to energy, alternative packaging to replace plastic.
• Mining and Minerals: Mining support technologies that enhance minerals beneficiation, mining digitisation and the support the implementation of low carbon footprint in mining.

ENERGY

• Technologies to combat the immediate effects of loadshedding: Microgrids, smart grids, energy management systems, energy efficiency, energy storage, generators, solar panels and inverters.
• Just Energy Transition: Decarbonisation, e-mobility, hydrogen, lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Applications are invited from the following South African institutions for consideration:

• Start-up companies
• Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs)
• Private Individuals
• Science Councils (SCs)
• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
• Any other recognised legal entities in South Africa

The application must meet the following criteria:

• A technology or process development must focus on the natural resources or energy sector as described above.
• Demonstrate a viable, feasible and sustainable business case.
• Demonstrate a positive socio-economic impact.
• Have a proof of concept (an idea that has been proven, tested and validated i.e., TRL 4 or higher).
• Must have an industry partner.

Applicants applying for funding from TIA must meet the following requirements:

• Applicants must be South African citizens with valid identity documents.
• Legal entities:
  • Must be registered or in a process of registering with CIPC;
  • Must be registered or in a process of registering on National Treasury’s Central Supplier   Database (CSD);
• For foreign-owned IP:
  • IP will need to be licensed or assigned to the applicant before funding is approved.
• Primary technology development activities must be operated within South Africa.
• Attendance at compulsory briefing session.
• Co-funding from applicant or other funders is preferred.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Applications will be assessed against:

• Novelty of the proposed innovation
• Capacity and ability to commercialise the innovation
• Understanding of market need and how to address it
• Impact (economic and/or social)
• Suitability and capacity of team to execute project plan
• Localisation
• Co-funding available or ability to attract co-funding

CLOSING DATE

Applications must be submitted on the following portal: https://funding.tia.org.za/gateway by no later than 13 October 2023 at 17H00. Late applications will not be accepted.

ENQUIRIES

For further information regarding the call or the applications process, please contact customerservice@tia.org.za

COMPULSORY BRIEFING SESSION

Compulsory briefing sessions will be conducted on Microsoft Teams (link will be shared upon RSVP); to facilitate and assist applicants to understand the Call requirements. The briefing sessions will take place on the following dates: (Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga – 27 September 2023) and (KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Eastern Cape and Western Cape – 28 September 2023) from 10h00 to 13h00.

Individuals that will be attending the compulsory briefing session, must send a confirmation email, to customerservice@tia.org by no later than 26 September 2023.