Join the Conversation: STI Funding Working Group Report for Public Comment
TO: ALL MEDIA
DATE: 29 SEPTEMBER 2026
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Blade Nzimande, briefed the Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation on the recommendations of the Working Group on Science, Technology and Innovation Funding.
He subsequently held a media briefing to formally release the report for public comment. Minister Nzimande established the Ministerial Working Group on STI Funding in May 2025 to assess the impact of foreign funding on the National System of Innovation and recommend measures to support its long-term sustainability.
The Working Group submitted its report in August 2025. Following due consideration, the Ministry presented the report and its eleven recommendations to Cabinet in July 2026. Cabinet approved the core recommendations and directed the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation to oversee their coordinated implementation.
The report identifies five immediate priorities:
- Establish predictable domestic funding for strategic research programmes;
- Safeguard critical platforms across health, genomics, biotechnology and public-health systems;
- Raise public- and private-sector investment in research and development towards the national target of 1.5% of GDP;
- Improve coordination across government, universities, science councils, industry and provinces; and
- Secure fair international partnership arrangements for data, intellectual property, technology transfer, local manufacturing and skills development.
Public Consultation
The report is now open for public comment until 31 December 2026. Members of the public, stakeholders in the scientific community, international partners and the media may access the report and submit comments as follows:
