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.

33grants 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

33 grants found

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National Empowerment Fund

Transformation Fund

The Transformation Fund provides funding for transformation projects

Up to R20 billion per annumSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Growth
open
National Empowerment Fund

DTIC Women Empowerment Fund

The DTIC Women Empowerment Fund provides funding to women-owned businesses

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Growth
open
National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and Bakubung Platinum Mine

Bakubung Fund

The NEF/BPM Enterprise and Supplier Development Fund is a funding partnership between Bakubung Platinum Mine and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) valued at a total R3 000 000 for the benefit of businesses located in Ledig, Mahobieskraal and Phatsima villages in the North West province.

R3 000 000North WestRolling
All SectorsBusiness Support
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National Empowerment Fund (NEF)

Rural, Township and Community Development Fund

Rural, Township, and Community Development Fund was designed to promote sustainable change in social and economic relations and support the goals of growth and development in the rural economy, through financing of sustainable enterprises.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsCommunity & Social
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National Empowerment Fund (NEF)

uMnotho Fund

This Fund is designed to improve access to BEE capital and has five products: Acquisition Finance, Project Finance, Expansion Finance, Capital Markets Fund, and Liquidity and Warehousing.

R2 million to R50 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsFinance & Investment
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National Empowerment Fund (NEF)

iMbewu Fund

This Fund is designed to support black entrepreneurs wishing to start new businesses as well support existing black-owned enterprises with expansion capital.

Up to R15 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsStartup Support
open
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)

Women Empowerment Fund

The NEF Women Empowerment Fund is aimed at accelerating the provision of funding to businesses owned by black women.

R250 000 to R75 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Growth
open
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)

Alternative Energy Solutions Funding

The dtic and the NEF have established the Alternative Energy Fund to help black business install green energy solutions.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGreen & Sustainability
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IDC

UIF II

To contribute towards sustainable job creation and retention by supporting job creating transactions while providing concessionary funding.

Up to R150 million per transactionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Growth
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IDC

KHOEBO INNOVATION PROMOTION PROGRAM

To offer capital and business support to SMME’s during the early stages of commercialization.

Up to R7 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsStartup Support
open
IDC

GRO-E YOUTH SCHEME

To encourage youth entrepreneurship and employment creation, thereby expanding South African production capacity.

Up to R50 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsStartup Support
open
IDC

Partnership Programmes

Partnership programmes for businesses

Up to R187 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South African life sciences & health grants