Annual Process

The annual process of calling for research proposals and selecting research projects and programmes is designed to support the WRC’s investment in building water-centred knowledge and its strategic focus on:

• Development/creation of new knowledge through research
• Building a sustainable and transformed knowledge base
• Developing the nation's intellectual capital (capacity/competence development)
• Knowledge dissemination initiatives
• Strategically supporting knowledge application, innovation and the commercalisation of relevant knowledge with high intellectual property value

Proposals are directed at the four water-centred Key Strategic Areas (KSAs), namely:

• KSA 1: Water Resource Management
• KSA 2: Water-linked Ecosystems
• KSA 3: Water Use and Waste Management
• KSA 4: Water Utilisation in Agriculture

No research funds are allocated specifically to any of the Impact Areas as each domain has a research portfolio which draws together relevant research projects that fall under the management of the four water-centred KSAs. For instance, a research project on the societal issue of water and food security would be funded and addressed in KSA 4: Water Utilisation in Agriculture.

It should also be noted that the WRC does not automatically incur any obligations upon receipt of an application for funding. Furthermore, the WRC reserves the right not to pursue topics for which no suitable proposals are received.