US funding cuts put R2.5bn of South African research at risk

The United States' withdrawal of funding has resulted in a loss of approximately R2.5 billion for South Africa's science and research system, putting research positions and student degrees at risk, according to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande. This funding reduction has exposed the nation's reliance on foreign funding, as reported in a working group's draft document set to be reviewed in Pretoria.

The cuts, which primarily affected health research, have exposed weaknesses in the financing of critical research programs, with the working group established after the US federal government halted support for South African health research projects, including those focused on HIV and tuberculosis. Institutions such as the University of Cape Town, Wits University, the University of Pretoria, the South African Medical Research Council, and CAPRISA are among those impacted.

The South African Medical Research Council estimates that the cuts have jeopardized 1,930 research positions and 108 student degrees, with an HIV vaccine trial losing a $45 million five-year grant. The report recommends increasing domestic funding for strategic research, safeguarding health, genomics, biotechnology, and public health platforms, and boosting both public and private investment in research and development.

Currently, South Africa allocates about 0.62% of its GDP to research and development, falling short of the national goal of 1.5%. Nzimande emphasized the need for South Africa to reduce its dependence on foreign funding for core research priorities, as about 17.3% of the country's research and development funding is contingent on foreign donors.

The report also advocates for diversifying international funding sources and strengthening conditions in research agreements regarding data, intellectual property, technology transfer, local manufacturing, and skills development.