Call For Proposals: Living Labs Pilot Programme 2021

by OFA April 19, 2021

Application Deadline: April 30th 2021

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) are calling for the submission of funding applications for the extension of the Living Labs Pilot Programme. TIA calls for proposals for community-based rural Living Labs in marginalised communities of the following provinces: North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape. Applications will be accepted for

Developing a new Living Lab/ Replicating a successful Living Lab (for funding up to a maximum of R2,5m); and
Expansion of an existing Living Lab through launching an innovation
support programme to support innovators and/or focused on supporting co-creationwith local stakeholders (i.e. local innovators, community users, researchers, etc) particularly the youth (for funding of up to R1,5m).

Requirements

● The fund is targeting existing Living Labs that can demonstrate the ability to introduce
or expand an innovation support programme/ activities;
● Individual entrepreneurs who have demonstrable track record of working
in communities and have identified basic facilities where they can undertake
innovation support activities; and
● An organisation or individual entrepreneur who has an experienced partner (to mentor
in the process of establishing the Living Lab) and have identified basic facilities where
they can undertake innovation support activities.
● Living Labs currently funded through the Living Labs Pilot Programme are not eligible
to apply.
In all the above-stated cases, these must demonstrate competence in the development
of Information Communication Technology (ICT) solutions and other context-relevant
technology solutions that can create local economic opportunities.

FUNDABLE ACTIVITIES
The following is a list of fundable activities:
● The development and commercialisation of ICT and other context-relevant innovations
that respond to community challenges and contribution to the local economy;
● Capacity building activities for innovators (particularly youth) and innovative
enterprises, through product development, training and mentoring (incubation);
● Launching or expanding an innovation support programme within an existing Living
Lab;
● Setting up of new Living Labs, where high levels of internal capacity and/or partnerships
to ensure success can be demonstrated; and
● Replicating an existing Living Lab with proven track record or parts thereof in another
area/context where high levels of internal capacity and/or partnerships to ensure
success can be demonstrated.
INVESTMENT PARAMETERS
● Grant funding up to a maximum of R2,5m for developing a new Living Lab/Replicating
a successful Living Lab and up to R1,5m for expansion of an existing Living Lab through
launching an innovation support programme.
● TIA will retain the first right of refusal to fund any innovation outputs of the project; and
● The duration of the project shall be for a maximum period of 18 months. Any period in
excess of this should be well motivated, clearly indicating the deliverables
associated with the extended period and reasons why it is not feasible to achieve
the project within the given period.

NON-FUNDABLE ACTIVITIES
The following is a list of non-fundable activities:
● Operational activities not related to innovation activities (e.g., short literacy courses
for health care practitioners);
● Early stage research projects;
● Student bursaries, research projects and extended periods of work.
● Office equipment (printers, furniture etc.), except for specialised equipment that
is within the budget constraints and required to enable innovation activities; and
● Infrastructure development such as buildings, ICT infrastructure, electric power supply