Accessing the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme – THRIP Grant

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The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) is a government-academic-private sector partnership established to respond to the shortage of high-level technical skills required by industry and to improve the competitive edge of South Africa’s industry through the development of advanced technologies.

It is a partnership programme funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF). On a cost-sharing basis with industry, THRIP supports science, engineering and technology research collaborations focused on addressing the technology needs of participating firms and encouraging the development and mobility of research personnel and students among participating organisations.

The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP)

The mission of THRIP is to improve the competitiveness of the South African industry by supporting research and technology development activities and enhancing the quality and quantity of appropriately skilled people.
The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) is a research and development programme established during 1992 with the objective of accelerating economic growth, creating wealth on a sustainable basis and improving the quality of life of all South Africans.
THRIP funding is matched with the “THRIPable” industry contribution by applying a funding ratio that depends on the size of the industry partner or the size of an association of partners, the B-BBEE contribution status of the industry partner and possible partnering with a previously disadvantaged university.
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Nature of project supported

• Science, engineering and/or technology projects that will contribute significantly to  the company’s competitive edge;
• Creation and transfer of knowledge into a new process or product;
• Project must have clearly defined scientific and technology outputs and human resource outputs expected for each year of support; and
• The project must demonstrate causality, implementation, and additionally that will follow from the THRIP support.

Benefits of Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme

THRIP is a cost sharing grant of up to R8 000 000 per annum for a period of three years. The cost sharing ratio can be between 50% to 90% depending on the size of the company and their BBBEE level.
THRIP funding offers R500 000 per academic researcher or students in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to work in industrial laboratories per annum for a 3-year period. THRIP covers 100% of the bursary grants where:
• PhD candidates will receive R200 000 annually;
• Masters candidates will receive R150 000 annually; and
• Honours/BTech will receive R80 000 annually

Qualifying projects for the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme

These include R&D and innovation projects which require contributions from public research institutions such as universities, CSIR, industry research bodies and other non-profit research organisations. Projects should fund students (Honours, Masters and Doctorate levels) and other researchers to assist in achieving the project outcomes.
The industry partner is the applicant and must be a registered legal entity in South Africa in terms of the legislation​​ for companies, close corporations or co-operatives, and is required to have a partnership with at least one South African research institution which can be a Higher Education Institution (HEI), a Science Engineering and Technology Institution (SETI) or a National Research Facility.
THRIP is part of the Incentive Development and Administration Division (IDAD) of the Department of Trade and Industry (dti).
In the case of first time black-owned entity as an applicant, the project will qualify even if no specific technology related outputs are expected during the first year of support in first year.

Qualifying Costs Covered

• Researchers and technical personnel remuneration;
• Running costs (including materials) and overheads (renting of laboratory space and equipment owned by the private sector and not by university or public research institutions);
• Traveling and accommodation costs;
• Equipment and machinery;
• TIPTOP (relocation of researchers); and
• Cost of legal advice for SMMEs.

At DTC we understand the complexities of the various funding agencies and the unique application criteria for each. We have assisted thousands of entrepreneurs through the application process to access funding for businesses, and we can assist you with the same.

Contact us for more information on funding through the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP)