In 2009/10 the science and technology budget is R4, 2 billion.
The budget is spent in three main programmes: research, development and innovation (R1,1 billion), human capital and knowledge (R1,6 billion), and socio-economic partnerships (R1,2 billion).
The research, programme is responsible for the national space strategy, the hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies strategy, the establishment of the Technology Innovation Agency.
The human-capital programme is responsible for the research chairs initiative, the seven centres of excellence, the innovation bursaries scheme (Honours, Masters, PhD) and the internship programme, the innovation post-doctoral fellowship programme, and the research professional development programme, and for funding the National Research Foundation.
The socio-economic-partnerships programme focuses on science and technology for social impact for economic impact and is responsible for funding the Human Sciences Research Council and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
Transfers make up the bulk of expenditure, amounting to R3.9 billion in 2009/10 or 92.9 per cent of the total budget.
Of these transfers, the science councils receive R2, 4 billion: Human Sciences Research Council (R157 million), National Research Foundation (R680 million), Africa Institute of SA (R27 million), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (R561 million), Innovation Fund (R152 million), Energy Grand Challenge (R40 million), Research and Development infrastructure (R204 million), Square Kilometre Array [for capital] (R490 million), South African National Research Network (R94 million).
The additional allocation for the 2009/10 to 2011/12 MTEF is R471, 5 million.
Of this additional allocation R150 million is for the research chairs initiative, R50 million to increase the number of postgraduate bursaries, and R80 million for the innovation planning and instruments programme and the establishment of the Technology Innovation Agency.
Notes for editors
1. The DST provides a core grant to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Allocations over the MTEF period (2009-2011) are R561 million, R627 million and R664 million. Over and above the MTEF allocations, the council receives additional (ring fenced) allocations of R73 million, R80 million and R84 million over the same period. The DST grant provides 48% of revenue and the remaining 62% of revenue comes from contract research (making a total of R1, 5 billion income in 2009).
2. The DST provides a core grant to the National Research Foundation. Allocations over the MTEF period (2009-2011) are R680 million, R759 million and R814 million. Over and above the MTEF baseline allocations, the foundation will receive additional allocations of R37 million, R43 million and R46 million.
3. It should be noted that the Foundation received a lower government grant (6 per cent) in 2007/08. However, overall income increased substantially because of the increase in contract-funded programmes. Key contract-funded programmes include: the Department of Labour scarce skills study; the development of the research information management system; the South African National Antarctic Programme; the Department of Science and Technology innovation honours programme; the African coelacanth ecosystem programme; and the establishment of six South African environmental observatory network nodes. The single largest source of contract funds is from the initial phase of the Square Kilometre Array project, which is capital intensive and therefore impacts significantly on deferred income.
Enquiries: Lunga Ngqengelele
Ministerial Spokesperson
Cell: 082 566 0446
Tel: 012 843 6802
E-mail: Lunga.ngqengelele@dst.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
18 June 2009
