Research
The first pillar of the Water RDI Roadmap focuses on addressing water research gaps and opportunities, aligned to the thematic clusters of the roadmap
There are various mechanisms that are utilized to address the research opportunities, including directed and open research calls, research chairs, centres of excellence, etc.
Research Calls
The WRC is the main driver of structured research funding calls in the South African Water Sector and funds research that responds to a range of areas that are aligned to the National RDI Roadmap and other topics.
A range of sector partners also fund research on a structured or ad hoc basis.
The WRC works with funds contributed by the DSTI and other sector partners to manage Water RDI Roadmap aligned research projects where needed (through WRC call processes) or co-funds research projects aligned to the Roadmap.
Below is a list of projects that have been funded or co-funded/funded with Roadmap ringfenced budgets:
Research Projects funded
Once these projects are finalised it is possible to download them here:
https://search.wrc.org.za/#!/
Research Chairs
The placement of water chairs focused on specific priority topics in the Roadmap is an additional way of developing global research expertise and nurturing a pipeline of students in a specific area.
The water industry already funds a range of industry chairs. In addition, the NRF, DSTI, DFFE and WRC have partnered to support two new research chairs:
Prof Professor Martine Visser
Institution: University of Cape Town
Roles: Governance and Economics of Ecological Infrastructure Research Chair; Environmental Policy Research Unit (EPRU) Senior Research Fellow, Director
Prof Bongani Ncube
Institution: Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Roles: Governance and Economics of Water and Sanitation Sector Institutions Chair; Acting Director of the Centre for Water and Sanitation Research
Be part of shaping South Africa’s future by engaging with the Water RDI Roadmap. Together, we can drive innovative solutions, strengthen partnerships, and create sustainable water systems for generations to come. Whether you’re in research, policy, business, or education, your contribution matters. Let’s collaborate for a water-secure South Africa and beyond!
