DSINEOSS Travel Participation Grant (TPG)

NEOSS Travel Participation Grant (TPG) Announcement

The National Earth Observations and Space Secretariat (NEOSS) Travel Participation Grant (TPG) is designed to support capacity-building for active members of the NEOSS Communities of Practice (CoPs). Managed by the CSIR on behalf of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the TPG facilitates participation in both national and international conferences and events that align with NEOSS priorities.

About the TPG

NEOSS, an initiative of the DSTI hosted by the CSIR under the Business Excellence and Integration Portfolio, supports CoP members in attending conferences where they can present work related to NEOSS themes and objectives. The grant focuses on advancing the activities of CoPs in specific Societal Benefit Areas or Thematic Areas.

Special consideration will be given to applications from youth (students and young professionals), women, and Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), as well as CoP members leading initiatives under the CoP Strategy and Work Plan.

Important: The TPG is limited to the allocated budget and covers only events directly relevant to NEOSS functions. Successful applicants will be required to sign an agreement with the CSIR as the host of NEOSS.

Application Requirements

To qualify for the TPG, applicants must:

Be an active member of one or more NEOSS CoPs (SA-GEO, SA-GSN, SAGSC) for at least six months prior to applying.
Be the author or co-author of an accepted paper or presentation at the conference.
Present a paper or deliver a presentation at the conference (e.g., for GEO and AfriGEO Working Groups).
Contribute at least 50% to the content of the paper. Note: Only one author per paper may be awarded the TPG.
Ensure the paper or presentation aligns with the objectives of at least one NEOSS CoP.

The TPG is awarded on a collaborative basis, considering the applicant's research profile, the relevance of the conference to CoP objectives, potential research outputs, quality of engagement, and any co-funding from the applicant’s organisation.

Note: The TPG cannot be awarded to the same individual in consecutive years, except in exceptional circumstances. Exceptions include:

Appointment by the DSTI through NEOSS to represent South Africa in an intergovernmental forum, committee, or working group for up to three years.
Serving as a Co-Chair or leading a NEOSS activity.

Required Documentation

The following documents must be submitted with your application:

A letter of support from your supervisor (if a student) or line manager (if a professional), explaining the need for the requested funding.
Proof of estimated participation costs, including quotes or reservations.
A letter of invitation and acceptance of your presentation or paper.

Important: If proof of paper acceptance is not available at the time of application, you are still eligible to apply. A provisional award may be granted, subject to later submission of the required documents.

Grant Coverage

The TPG covers costs associated with both national and international travel, including:

One return economy-class airfare.
Accommodation .
Meals and local transportation related to conference participation.

Reporting Requirements

Grant recipients are required to submit a detailed report to NEOSS within 14 days of returning from the conference. The report must include:

A summary of the conference proceedings.
Key outcomes and learnings from the presentation or participation.
Potential collaborations and future engagements stemming from the event.
Any research outputs or future work related to NEOSS themes.
Receipts for meals and transportation expenses incurred during the conference.

Failure to submit the report and receipts within the given time frame may affect future funding opportunities.

Note: Conferences include symposiums, workshops, meetings, and other official gatherings relevant to NEOSS.

Application Process

All applications must be submitted online via the NEOSS Portal under "Opportunities" at www.neoss.co.za. Hard copy submissions will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The TPG is not transferable, and funding can only be used for the conference applied for.

For enquiries, please email: info@neoss.co.za.

Website Link

www.neoss.co.za/opportunities

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NEOSS is an initiative of the Department of Science and innovation that is managed and hosted by the CSIR

Introduction:

This privacy statement will inform you what the CSIR will do with the Personal Information it collects from you and which you voluntarily provide to the CSIR, it also indicates your rights as a data subject.

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This privacy statement will apply to the CSIR and the Personal Information supplied by you. It includes any processing or further processing of the Personal Information by any Operators duly appointed by the CSIR;
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