Deadline: 29-Jan-2026

The NIHSS Working Groups Programme offers South African academics in Humanities and Social Sciences funding of up to R100,000 to support research, collaboration, and scholarly outputs across ten thematic areas, including digital humanities, climate, arts, indigenous languages, and societal transformation. The programme prioritizes innovative methodologies, postgraduate capacity building, and the dissemination of research locally and internationally.

The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) invites South African academics and researchers based in public universities and research institutes to apply for the Working Groups Programme, which supports collaborative, high-impact scholarly activities in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Promote the integrity, reputation, and recognition of the Humanities and Social Sciences

• Support innovative academic research and collaborations

• Enhance capacity building for postgraduate students

• Facilitate the dissemination of research outputs, including books, journals, and creative works

Thematic Priorities

Funding will focus on projects addressing one or more of the following ten areas:

1. Agriculture and rural development

2. Arts and creativity

3. Digital humanities and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies

4. Ecosystems and climate

5. Global economic and development challenges

6. Higher education and innovation

7. Indigenous African languages

8. Pandemics and medicine

9. South Africa’s pre-colonial to postcolonial histories

10. Transformation, race, culture, and identity

Eligible Activities

Supported activities may include:

• Publication of books, journals, or creative output

• Hosting conferences, workshops, seminars, dialogues, colloquia

• Promoting local and international collaborations

• Strategic initiatives advancing the visibility and impact of Humanities and Social Sciences

Funding Details

• Maximum grant: R100,000 per project

• Project duration: Up to 12 months from contract start

• Projects exceeding the funding limit will not be considered

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be based in South African public universities or research institutes within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

• Have institutional endorsement from the relevant representative

• Preferably be South African citizens

• For emerging academics, have completed a PhD within the last five years

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Scientific and technical merit

• Purpose and relevance of the project

• Innovative methodology and approaches

• Collaborations established and their impact

• Plans for community engagement and dissemination

• Capacity building for postgraduate students

Required Application Documents

1. Detailed project proposal with author details and anonymized version

2. Detailed project budget with projected income and expenditure

3. Motivation letter (max 1,000 words)

4. Full CV of applicant and team members

5. Letter of institutional endorsement

6. Certified copy of South African ID or passport

7. For emerging academics, a certified PhD certificate

Submission Guidelines

• Applications must be submitted by 29 January 2026, 13h00 SAST

• Projects must be completed within 12 months of contract

• Close-out report required at project completion

• NIHSS reserves the right to extend or withdraw the call

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Exceeding the R100,000 funding limit

• Submitting proposals without institutional endorsement

• Missing required documents, including certified IDs or PhD certificates

• Failing to include an anonymized proposal and clear budget

• Not demonstrating collaboration, innovation, or postgraduate capacity building

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply?
Academics and researchers based in South African public universities or research institutes in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

What is the maximum funding available?
R100,000 per project.

Which thematic areas are prioritized?
Agriculture, arts, digital humanities, climate, economics, higher education, indigenous languages, pandemics, history, and societal transformation.

Are emerging academics encouraged to apply?
Yes, particularly those who completed their PhD within the last five years.

What types of activities are funded?
Publications, conferences, workshops, collaborative research, creative outputs, and capacity-building initiatives.

Is institutional endorsement required?
Yes, applications must be endorsed by the relevant institutional representative.

What is the deadline for applications?
29 January 2026, 13h00 SAST.

Conclusion

The NIHSS Working Groups Programme offers South African academics an opportunity to advance Humanities and Social Sciences research through collaborative, innovative, and high-impact projects. By supporting capacity building, knowledge dissemination, and local and international partnerships, this programme strengthens the role of the Humanities and Social Sciences in higher education, society, and public discourse.

For more information, visit NIHSS.