Research Support

Research Support is responsible for the development of young researchers, the facilitation of access to research grants and contracts, the development of research capacity and the promotion of research at the University.

To achieve these objectives, the division works closely with other central academic support services including the Client Services Centre (CSC), the Department Library Services and the Department of Finance.

While CSC (Bursaries and Loans) takes responsibility for the management and administration of study financing for postgraduate students and is their main point of contact, Research Support is responsible for making available information on funding opportunities and the securing of funding which in most cases also support postgraduate students.

The division is also responsible for providing funding to host international post-doctoral fellows, while the International Office, which forms part of CSC, undertakes all logistical and travel arrangements.

In addition, CSC, Library Services and Research Support are soon to join forces to establish a Postgraduate Centre at the University, which will offer these students a venue to host discussion groups, do research and interact socially with their peers. Library Services and Research Support also form a strong partnership in providing academics with information and advice on publication matters.

In addition, Research Support liaises and consults on a continuous basis with the research management structures within each faculty. This structure comprises the dean, research committee headed by a chairperson and the research information system (RIS) coordinator.

UP Finance and Research Support continuously interact to make funds allocated by external funders for UP academics accessible to researchers and to advise them on financial policies and procedures.

To introduce novice or new researchers at the UP to the services offered, the division annually hosts an Introduction Programme. This programme takes on various forms and is aimed at introducing novice or new researchers to the internal and external research environment. This year’s programme focused on science communication. More information is avialable on the Research Intranet. 

Research Support is also responsible for the publication of the University’s annual Research Report, which provides a review of research projects currently underway at the institution. This research report comprises two parts; namely a print copy or book, and an electronic copy in the form of a searchable CD-ROM.

The material on the CD-Rom is also available on the Internet. The electronic version provides detailed information on the activities and expertise of our researchers, as well as the outputs of the faculties, centres, institutes and units. The Research Report 2007 will be available from the end of August 2008.