UK-South Africa Newton Fund Programme Summary
The UK-South Africa Newton Fund aims to expand the depth and breadth of research activities in 2015, including new partnerships.
British High Commissioner Judith Macgregor, UK Minister for Africa James Duddrige, and South African Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor
The United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa launched a joint Newton Fund publication today at Scifest Africa 2015, the African continent’s biggest science fair, which is held in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape.
The publication examines the joint programme that was developed and agreed on in the inaugural year of the UK-South Africa Newton Fund.
British High Commissioner Judith Macgregor and Dr. Thomas Auf der Heyde, Deputy Director-General of Research Development and Support at South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology, marked the strength of the UK-South Africa science and innovation partnership at a special reception at Scifest, pronouncing the UK-South Africa Newton Fund as a true flagship project.
Based on the principles of co-ownership and co-responsibility, the UK-South Africa Newton Fund brings together contributions from both sides to support science, technology and innovation, creating a catalyst to stimulate socio-economic development in South Africa and more widely across sub-Sahara Africa.
Launched in September 2014, the UK and South Africa have agreed to commit equal funding under the Newton Fund, including funding from non-governmental bodies and the private sector.
The Newton Fund supports projects in the thematic areas of public health, environment and food security, and science and technology capacity building, with a focus on seeking to ensure that activities have a regional footprint. Its ultimate aim is to encourage research that boosts jobs and growth.
The UK-South Africa Newton Fund will continue to expand the depth and breadth of research activities in 2015, including new partnerships. See complete program summary attached.