Johannesburg, South Africa – Sasol with the National Research Foundation (NRF) is calling for research proposals on science and engineering projects that can enable its energy transition and that of the country, as well as the development of South Africa’s green economy. 

The call for applications for Sasol-NRF Research Grants for 2022 is also intended to enhance South African tertiary institutions’ research capacity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, thereby addressing some of the key scarce skill gaps identified by the NRF.  

Dr Aldo Stroebel, Executive Director Strategic Partnerships at the NRF, stated that: “The demand for innovative solutions that respond to socio-economic challenges and opportunities results in an increasing need for collaboration between industry and academia. This prominent partnership will accelerate the co-creation of knowledge for impact, and skills development, addressing the critical sustainability agenda”.

Sasol has a long history of funding research at South African universities through contract research and student bursaries. Over the past 16 years, it has also contributed more than R300 million through its R&T University Collaboration Programme, which provides research grants to academics for projects in the key disciplines of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. 

Said Dr Thembakazi Mali, Senior Vice President: Research and Technology at Sasol: “The R&T University Collaboration Programme provides Sasol with a unique opportunity to not only support local academia but also leverage external research efforts to find solutions to the complex technical challenges that must be addressed as part of our climate change response efforts.” 

Of interest to Sasol is research in hydrogen production, renewable energy, energy storage and carbon dioxide conversion to chemical and fuels – all key areas critical to enabling Sasol’s environmental and business sustainability goals. 

The call for proposals is now open and will close on Friday, 29 October 2021. Interested parties can send their applications via email to sasolgrants@sasol.com 

Application documents can be found on: https://www.nrf.ac.za/funding/framework-documents/funding-framework-doc…;

Mali said Sasol R&T will also provide research grant recipients with additional support in the form of access to technical expertise and equipment.