Opening of 7 th Framework Programme in Latvia SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA European – South African Science and Technology Advancement Programme (ESASTAP) Cristina Pinto Legal and Financial NCP: South Africa 5 th February 2007

Overview of Presentation Overview of South Africa’s research environment Research capacity in South Africa South Africa’s participation in the Framework Programmes ESASTAP International Cooperation in FP7

Overview of South Africa’s Research Environment

Future R&D Capacity Technical progress (Improvement and Innovation) SET Human Capital Business Performance Current R&D Capacity Wealth Creation Imported Know- how Quality of Life Research and Development Strategy Framework

Strategic Science and Technology Landscape Economic Growth Poverty reduction Quality of Life Nanotechnology Strategy Vision 2014 Leveraging Resource Based Industries Information & Communications Technology Strategy Poverty Reduction Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy Biotechnology Strategy National R&D Strategy White Paper on Science and Technology Technology Transfer Strategy Human Capital Development Strategy

International Partners Government Science Councils Education Institutions NGO’s Business State Corporations Research Institutions SocialOBJECTIVES Economic Actors and Stakeholders

R&D Investment

Challenges within the National System of Innovation Insufficient investment in R&D Strategic risks faced by the region Inadequate renewal and growth of SET human resources Lack of overall coherence of innovation system

Drivers for Internationalisation Augment small NSI by facilitating a net inflow of scientific knowledge into South Africa Enhance quality of R&D by participating in multilateral competitive research programmes Access international resources to implement national / regional S&T imperatives

Importance of S&T Cooperation with Europe Strategic and historical linkages Science & Technology Cooperation Agreement with the European Union Several bilateral S&T Cooperation Agreements with EU member states Strong policy dialogue Links to regional cooperation agreements such as NEPAD Science & Technology Action Plan; ACP programme for S&T capacity development

Research Capacity in South Africa

Research Institutions Universities Research Councils Private and Public Sectors –Industry, SMEs, NGOs –Government (national, provincial, local)

Universities University of Cape Town University of the Free State University of KwaZulu- Natal Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University University of Pretoria Rhodes University Stellenbosch University Tshwane University University of the Western Cape University of the Witwatersrand Examples of universities with international experience:

Research Councils ARC (Agricultural Research Council) CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) HSRC (Human Sciences Research Council) MRC (Medical Research Council) NRF (National Research Foundation) Mintek SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) Water Research Commission

Private and Public Sectors Limited R&D capacity in some areas such as food Primarily support of development work, little basic research Seeking to becoming more international SMEs – limited research capacity NGOs – key role at community level Government departments

South Africa’s Participation in the Framework Programmes

History of South Africa’s Framework Programme Participation FP4: 34 INCO-DC SA participated in 38 projects 4 Thematic Science councils and universities FP5: 53 INCO-DEV SA participated in 64 projects 11 Thematic First Technikon / SME participation

SA is involved in >60 projects (c20% hit rate) The leading fields are environment (c30%), health (c15%), food (c13%) and IST (c10%) The pattern has changed: c60% of projects are in Thematics SA was the second most successful country in the FP6 “top-up” calls South Africa’s Participation in FP6

South Africa in FP6 TP1: HIV/AIDS vaccine; Microbicides TP2: Open source software; e-Health TP3: Bioleaching; Advanced Manufacturing TP4: Global Navigation Satellite Systems TP5: Food risk analysis; Food processing waste TP6: Water resource management; Climate Change TP7: “New” history research agenda Infrastructures: SKA Design Studies Policy: Impact of avian influenza on poultry sector

European – South African Science and Technology Programme (ESASTAP)

What is ESASTAP? “Specific Support Action” implemented by Department of Science and Technology under the FP6 Dedicated platform to promote SA-EU S&T cooperation, especially SA participation in Framework Programmes, bringing together existing efforts from: –DST and EC –FP6/7 National Contact Points –SA Senior S&T Representative in Brussels

Challenges for ESASTAP Insufficient awareness of opportunities – both within SA and the EU –Need to broaden range of SA participants Instruments for international cooperation in FP6/7 not well understood – need to improve understanding both SA and EU –More proactive engagement with opportunities Difficulties for SA researchers to find European FP consortia partners –Lack of awareness of SA S&T excellence

Opportunities for ESASTAP Progressively greater opportunities for international cooperation in FPs Strong political commitment to SA-EU S&T cooperation –Convergence of SA and EU S&T policy priorities SA’s historical S&T relations with Europe and existing strong bilateral relations –SA’s existing knowledge base and experience of successful FP participation

ESASTAP Priorities Create dedicated programme and branding for SA-EU S&T cooperation Supporting SA’s FP6 participation and FP7 preparation –Awareness-raising and strategic advice and assistance Marketing SA’s S&T excellence in Europe –“South Africa a preferred international partner for Framework Programme cooperation” Exploit synergies between FP6/7 participation with other international cooperation activities –Especially bilateral links with European countries –Other European programmes e.g. COST, EUREKA, EDCTP

International Cooperation in FP7

Opening of All Activities to Third Countries

Definitions “Third country” –is a country which is not a European Union Member State “International Cooperation Partner Country” –is a third country that the European Commission classifies as a low-income, lower-middle-income or upper-middle-income country and which is identified as such in the workprogramme –SOUTH AFRICA belongs to the ICPC group - will receive funding under the Framework Programme –Emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, SOUTH AFRICA)

South Africa, ESASTAP and FP7 Point of departure: South Africa’s National R&D Strategy and other policy documents FP7 one of range of instruments for international cooperation – need to understand its relevance Strategic analysis by SA participating organisation of FP7 opportunities National Co-Investment and Seed Funding Instruments

South Africa, ESASTAP and FP7 (2) Preparing South African S&T community for FP7 Improving networking and partnerships with Europe: –Deployment of Seed Funding to attend events –Pro-active contact with leading FP6 coordinators –Utilising bilateral relations with Member States Learning from South African FP6 experience

Thank you