South Africa Sector Grants

Healthcare & Life Sciences Business Grants

The UK life sciences sector benefits from substantial government investment through UKRI, NHS innovation programmes, and dedicated biotech funding. Grants support research, development, and commercialisation of healthcare innovations.

44grants available
Innovation, growth & development funding

Medical Research Funding

UKRI, MRC, and charity funders support biomedical research and early-stage development. Academic-industry partnerships can access significant research grant funding.

NHS Innovation

NHS programmes including SBRI Healthcare and Academic Health Science Networks support health tech companies to develop and deploy innovations within the healthcare system.

Regulatory & Commercialisation

Grants help life sciences companies navigate regulatory approval and commercialisation. This includes clinical trial support and market access assistance.

South African Life Sciences & Health Grants

44 grants found

unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP)

The Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP) provides cost‑sharing grants of 10‑30% (up to R50 million) for critical infrastructure projects, with higher percentages for certain sectors, to lower business costs and stimulate investment.

up to R50 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Capital Projects Feasibility Programme (CPFP)

A dtic programme that shares the cost of feasibility studies for projects expected to increase South African exports and stimulate local capital goods and services.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS)

The Black Industrialists Scheme provides cost‑sharing grants of 30% to 50% (up to R50 million) and additional support for capital investment, feasibility studies, post‑investment and business development for qualifying black‑owned industrialists.

up to R50 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Automotive Investment Scheme (AIS)

The Automotive Investment Scheme (AIS) offers a non‑taxable cash grant of 20 % of qualifying investment for original equipment manufacturers and 25 % for component manufacturers to support new or replacement models, increase plant production volumes, and sustain employment in the automotive sector.

20 % of qualifying investment for OEMs; 25 % of qualifying investment for component manufacturers (grant limited to R1 million for competitiveness improvement per entity per two‑year cycle).South Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP)

A dtic cost-sharing incentive for qualifying aquaculture projects, supporting investment in infrastructure, machinery, equipment and commercially viable aquaculture operations.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI)

A dtic-supported initiative that helps South African aerospace firms improve competitiveness, supplier capability and technology readiness for aerospace industry opportunities.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Agro Processing Support Scheme (APSS)

A dtic cost-sharing incentive for agro-processing and beneficiation projects that expand productive capacity, improve competitiveness and support job creation.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
open
IDC

Partnership Programmes

Partnership programmes for businesses

Up to R187 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Support
open
IDC

Crisis Funding

Funding for businesses in crisis

Over R1,5 billionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Support
open
IDC

Industry Sector Funding

Funding for entrepreneurs starting new enterprises or supporting companies that want to extend existing operations

Up to R1 billionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Growth
unknown
Department of Small Business Development

Business Infrastructure Support Programme

The Business Infrastructure Support Programme provides funding for MSMEs to acquire or refurbish infrastructure, equipment, tools, technology, and energy solutions, with grants ranging from R1 million to R23 million depending on the component.

Built Infrastructure: R1 million–R23 million; Equipment/Tools/Technology: R1 million–R5 million; Energy Support: R1 million–R10 millionSouth Africa WideInvalid Date
All SectorsBusiness Support
closed
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

12I Tax Allowance Incentive

The 12I Tax Allowance Incentive provides tax allowances for qualifying capital investment and training in new (greenfield) or expanded (brownfield) manufacturing projects.

up to R900 millionSouth Africa Wide31 Mar 2020
All SectorsGrants & Funding

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South African life sciences & health grants