APPLICATION FOR RESEARCH FUNDING
- SOUTH AFRICA WINE uses an online system for all applications and reporting. For concept proposals, applicants must visit the SOUTH AFRICA WINE website, sawine.co.za/funding, when the proposal call opens at the start of every year. Alternatively, an online link will be provided where necessary. Research projects work in different stages that determine their status (Concept Proposal, New Project, Progress Report and Final Report). All fields must be completed in full as instructed on the webforms, and descriptions must be READ CAREFULLY.
- SOUTH AFRICA WINE does not fund projects in the same year of application. Projects can only start the year after funding is applied for and approved.
- SOUTH AFRICA WINE will submit all applications to expert technical committees composed of academia and industry members to be reviewed, whereafter, the applicants will be notified of the outcome.
- Applicants of approved Concept Proposals will be asked to submit a “New Project” application providing additional details (including a budget and industry expectations) by the end of May. Use key findings (one-liners) from your research scoping as motivation for your project’s importance in your application (200 words max).
- Technical committees will evaluate “New Project” application during June. In exceptional cases, researchers may be asked to provide additional information or resubmit the application for further discussion by the committees in August/September. Applications that are poorly written or unclear to the committees regarding the project’s value for the industry will not be considered for funding.
- In August/September, the committees evaluate running projects (Progress Reports and Final Reports) and, in exceptional cases, require additional information on resubmitted New Projects.
- Final approval of project funding (New applications and Running projects) depends on the Budget approval by the SOUTH AFRICA WINE Council. Formal feedback and final project approval will be provided after the last council meeting held in November of the specific year.
- SOUTH AFRICA WINE will attempt to inform all applicants before the end of November of the year in question whether their application(s) have been successful.
- Funding in a given year does not guarantee continued funding in the following year. Continued funding will be considered after approval of the annual Progress Reports, on the condition that annual outputs /deliverables have been met and deadlines have been met.
- The funding of projects is subject to available funds, alignment with the specifically identified research priorities (SOUTH AFRICA WINE Themes), as well as the final approval of the SOUTH AFRICA WINE Council.
- When a project is completed, a “Final Report” must be submitted to SOUTH AFRICA WINE by the due date and to specifications. Projects will only be regarded as completed after approval by SOUTH AFRICA WINE.
- Payment will occur following the submission of an invoice at times agreed upon on an annual basis by SOUTH AFRICA WINE and the party in question.
JANUARY 2026