Internal Funding Opportunities

Social Impact Funding

The Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation provides modest seed funding for initiatives that align or respond to SU themes​.The Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation provides modest seed funding for initiatives that align or respond to SU themes​.The Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation provides modest seed funding for initiatives that align or respond to SU themes​.

The purpose of this seed funding is to support Social Impact initiatives that cannot be financed by means of normal funding mechanisms. It provides start-up capital and is not meant to cover normal running costs or subsidise existing programmes.

View the comprehensive Funding Criteria ​and Evaluative Framework 2025:

2026 Funding cycle

  • Proposals should be submitted to faculty and PASS environment SI committees and these structures can determine the specific submission date and timeline for reviewing applications.
  • Kindly note, all applications must be submitted from the SI Committees to the SIFC – 30/10/26

For more information, e-mail: socialimpactfunding@sun.ac.za.

External Funding Opportunities

MacJannet Prize

The MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship is an esteemed international award that recognizes and celebrates university-based civic engagement initiatives. The MacJannet Prize was established by the Talloires Network and the MacJannet Foundation to recognise exceptional student community engagement initiatives and contributes financially to their ongoing public service efforts.

As part of Stellenbosch University’s commitment to social impact and transformation, the Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation actively supports and promotes initiatives that align with the values of this prestigious prize.

Evaluation Criteria

Initiatives will be assessed based on the following key criteria:

  • Student Leadership
    Are students able to work independently, with support from faculty and staff? Are their ideas and contributions valued in the project design? Do they carry out a significant portion of the work?
  • University Support
    Has the university demonstrated commitment to promoting active citizenship and civic engagement? Has the university supported this program, either financially, in kind, or through policy and recognition of its value?
  • Community Partnership and Involvement
    Do the university program coordinators consult the community in program design? Do the aims of the program meet community needs? Are community members able to contribute to the program?
  • Demonstrated Positive Impact on the Community
    To what extent has this program positively affected the community? How many community members have benefited, and to what degree?
  • Demonstrated Positive Impact on the Participating University Student
    Has this program contributed to building civic values and skills for students? Has the program impacted students’ choices about career path or future involvement in community outreach activities?
  • Sustainability
    How will the program find the needed resources to continue running into the future? What policies or mechanisms support the ongoing success of the program? Are communities engaged in sustaining the program for the long-term?
  • Global Impact and Relevance
    How does this program contribute to one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

For more information, contact Chevaan Peters: chevaan@sun.ac.za.

Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC)

Periodically, the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC), City of Cape Town (CCT), Western Cape Government (WCG) and National Research Foundation (NRF) put out calls for funding for Social Impact initiatives.

Call for proposals to the annual joint research programme of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) and the Western Cape Government (WCG)

Researchers are invited to submit proposals in the attached application form (Appendix 1) for one of the two themes:

  • The first theme is understanding the characteristics of a future-fit public institution and applying them to public institutions operating in the Western Cape, preferably at the regional and local government levels.
  • Thematic Area One: Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology-enhanced approaches to addressing complex socio-economic challenges in the Western Cape.
  • The second theme concerns improving the state of the Western Cape’s network industries regarding their coverage, operational efficiency, service quality, and accessibility to poorer households.
  • Thematic Area Two: Post-school education, alternative pathways and articulation for skills development

Please send proposals on the Appendix 1 form  to:

  • Mawethu Nyakatya (nyakatya@sun.ac.za) by Monday 04 May 2026.
  • The call is intended to attract proposals for a total amount of up to R150 000 per project and for a project to run until May 2027.
  • Requests to the Joint Task Team to assist with facilitating connections with WCG departments and staff can be sent to debbie@chec.ac.zaas soon as possible.

Selected proposals will be reviewed by members of the CHEC-WCG Joint Tast Team and select members of the Community of Experts (COE), comprising thought leaders and experts from government, academia, and industry.