Researchers, economists, technology specialists and policy professionals interested in Africa’s industrial transformation have a new opportunity to contribute to high-impact research while working remotely.
The DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development (SARChI-ID) has announced three commissioned research opportunities for 2026, covering some of the most important questions affecting Africa’s economic and technological future.
The research commissions focus on Artificial Intelligence and Industrial Policy in Africa, Green Technology Development, and Manufacturing and Structural Transformation.
Each research commission provides a budget of up to US$15,000 to support the commissioned work over a six-month period.
Importantly, this amount should be understood as the available research budget per commissioned theme, rather than automatically being interpreted as a US$15,000 personal salary or stipend.
The opportunities are designed primarily for remote research, allowing successful commissioned researchers to conduct their work from their existing location while participating in one or two scheduled project meetings during the six-month appointment.
Applications must be submitted by September 21, 2026.
DSI/NRF SARChI Research Commissions 2026: Key Details
Programme: DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development
Opportunity Type: Commissioned Research
Number of Research Commissions: Three
Research Focus: African Industrial Development
Working Arrangement: Primarily remote
Duration: Six months
Research Budget: Up to US$15,000 per research theme
Project Meetings: One to two scheduled meetings
Research Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Industrial Policy, Green Technology, Manufacturing and Structural Transformation
Application Deadline: September 21, 2026
The opportunity may be particularly relevant to established researchers and professionals who can combine rigorous research with practical knowledge of Africa’s economic and industrial-development challenges.
About the DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development
The research opportunities are being offered through the South African Research Chair in Industrial Development, commonly referred to as SARChI-ID.
The commissioned research initiative provides researchers with an opportunity to generate evidence on major forces reshaping industrialisation across Africa.
These include rapid technological change, the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence, the transition toward environmentally sustainable production and the continuing challenge of building stronger manufacturing sectors.
Rather than focusing only on academic theory, the commissions create an opportunity to produce research with potential relevance to policymakers, businesses, researchers and institutions involved in Africa’s industrial development.
Three Research Commissions Available in 2026
Applicants can consider three distinct research themes.
Each addresses a different part of Africa’s changing industrial landscape.
1. AI and Industrial Policy in Africa
The first commissioned research opportunity focuses on Artificial Intelligence and Industrial Policy in Africa.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how businesses operate, how products are manufactured and how services are delivered.
These changes create both opportunities and policy challenges for African economies.
AI technologies could potentially increase productivity, improve production processes, strengthen logistics, support innovation and help African businesses compete in increasingly technology-driven global markets.
At the same time, rapid technological adoption raises important questions about employment, skills, domestic technological capabilities, inequality and economic competitiveness.
Research under this commission can examine how African governments and industries should respond to AI-driven technological change while pursuing inclusive industrial development.
Potential questions may relate to how industrial policy can support technological capabilities, innovation and competitiveness while ensuring that the benefits of artificial intelligence contribute meaningfully to economic development.
Who Could Be Interested in the AI Commission?
This research theme could be particularly relevant to professionals and academics working in areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence
- Economics
- Industrial policy
- Technology policy
- Innovation studies
- Digital transformation
- Public policy
- Economic development
- Manufacturing technology
- Science and technology policy
Applicants should be able to connect technological change to the broader economic and industrial-development challenges facing African countries.
Technical knowledge of AI alone may therefore not be enough.
A strong proposal should demonstrate how artificial intelligence relates to industrial development, productive capacity, employment, innovation or competitiveness within African economies.
2. Green Technology Development
The second commission focuses on Green Technology Development.
Climate change and the global transition toward low-carbon production are changing the conditions under which countries industrialise.
African countries face the challenge of expanding productive industries and creating employment while simultaneously responding to environmental pressures.
Green technologies can play an important role in this transition.
They can include technologies and innovations designed to reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, support cleaner production or enable more sustainable industrial systems.
The commission provides an opportunity to investigate how African economies can build technological capabilities while pursuing environmentally sustainable industrial development.
Potential Areas of Interest
Researchers working on this theme may have expertise in:
- Green innovation
- Climate policy
- Industrial development
- Sustainable manufacturing
- Clean technology
- Renewable energy
- Environmental economics
- Green industrial policy
- Technology development
- Sustainability transitions
The strongest research is likely to go beyond simply arguing that green technologies are beneficial.
Applicants should aim to identify the policies, institutions, technologies, investments or industrial capabilities needed to turn environmental challenges into productive economic opportunities.
Why Green Industrial Development Matters for Africa
Global industries are increasingly being shaped by climate commitments, environmental regulations and changing investment patterns.
These shifts can affect trade, manufacturing and investment decisions.
For African economies, the green transition presents both risks and opportunities.
Countries that build capabilities in emerging green industries may potentially participate more effectively in future global value chains.
Research can therefore help policymakers understand which technologies, industries and policy interventions could support sustainable industrialisation while strengthening domestic economic capabilities.
3. Manufacturing and Structural Transformation
The third commission focuses on Manufacturing and Structural Transformation.
Manufacturing has historically played a major role in the development of many industrialised economies.
A competitive manufacturing sector can help create productive employment, strengthen domestic supply chains, encourage technological learning and diversify economies.
For many African countries, however, expanding manufacturing capacity remains a significant development challenge.
This research commission provides an opportunity to investigate policies and strategies that could strengthen manufacturing and contribute to broader structural economic transformation.
Potential Research Questions
Relevant areas may include:
- Manufacturing development
- Industrial policy
- Structural transformation
- African value chains
- Productivity
- Industrial competitiveness
- Economic diversification
- Technology adoption
- Manufacturing employment
- Regional industrialisation
Researchers could potentially investigate barriers preventing manufacturing expansion or examine policies capable of increasing domestic productive capacity.
Research may also explore how technological change, regional integration, investment and industrial policy interact with manufacturing development.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The commissioned research opportunities may be particularly relevant to professionals with demonstrated research or policy expertise.
Potential applicants include:
Economists
Researchers working on industrial economics, development economics, structural transformation, trade, technology or related fields may find the commissions highly relevant.
Industrial Development Researchers
Researchers studying industrialisation, manufacturing, productive capabilities or industrial policy could be particularly well positioned.
Artificial Intelligence and Technology Specialists
Technology researchers capable of connecting AI developments with industrial policy and African economic development may consider the first research theme.
Public Policy Specialists
Applicants with experience studying government policy, regulatory frameworks, development strategies and institutional capacity could contribute across multiple themes.
Sustainability Researchers
Researchers working on green industrialisation, climate policy and clean technologies may be well aligned with the second commission.
Manufacturing Specialists
Professionals and academics with expertise in manufacturing, value chains, industrial competitiveness or economic diversification may be strong candidates for the third research theme.
Is This a Remote Research Opportunity?
Yes. One of the most attractive aspects of the commissions is their remote working arrangement.
Successful researchers will generally be able to undertake the commissioned research remotely.
This could make the opportunity accessible to qualified researchers who are not based in the same city or country as the coordinating institution.
However, remote does not mean that there are no participation requirements.
Successful commissioned researchers are expected to participate in approximately one or two scheduled project meetings during the six-month appointment.
Applicants should therefore ensure they can meet these commitments.
What Does the US$15,000 Funding Cover?
The programme provides a research budget of up to US$15,000 for each commissioned research theme.
Applicants should pay careful attention to this wording.
The announcement describes the amount as a research budget supporting the commissioned work.
It should therefore not automatically be interpreted as a US$15,000 personal salary, fellowship stipend or unrestricted cash award.
Candidates should review the commissioning terms carefully to understand allowable expenses, payment arrangements and financial reporting requirements before accepting an award.
This distinction is important for anyone comparing the opportunity with conventional salaried research jobs or individual fellowships.
Duration of the Research Commission
Each commissioned research project is expected to run for approximately six months.
A defined six-month period means applicants should propose work that can realistically be completed within that timeframe.
Research plans should therefore have focused objectives and achievable outputs.
An overly broad proposal covering several countries, sectors and policy areas without a clear analytical framework may be difficult to complete within six months.
Applicants should instead demonstrate that they can produce meaningful, rigorous research within the available period.
How to Develop a Competitive Research Proposal
Researchers interested in applying should pay particular attention to the connection between their expertise and the selected research theme.
Define a Clear Research Problem
A competitive proposal should begin with a specific problem.
For example, an AI-focused proposal could examine a particular industrial-policy challenge created by AI adoption rather than discussing artificial intelligence across Africa in general.
Demonstrate African Relevance
The commissions focus specifically on Africa’s industrial development.
Applicants should therefore clearly explain why their research matters for African economies.
Where appropriate, proposals could identify specific countries, sectors, industries or regional challenges.
Show Policy Relevance
Research should ideally generate findings that can inform real-world discussions around industrial policy and economic transformation.
Applicants should explain how their findings could be relevant to governments, policymakers, development institutions, businesses or other stakeholders.
Use an Appropriate Methodology
The methodology should be realistic for a six-month research commission.
Applicants should clearly identify the evidence required and how it will be collected and analysed.
Demonstrate Relevant Expertise
Candidates should highlight previous research, publications, professional assignments or policy experience related to their chosen theme.
The application should make it easy for reviewers to understand why the researcher is qualified to undertake the commission.
Why These Research Commissions Matter
Africa’s industrial future is being shaped by several major global transitions simultaneously.
Artificial intelligence is transforming technology and production.
Climate change is accelerating pressure for greener industries.
Global supply chains are changing.
Meanwhile, African countries continue to face the challenge of creating productive employment and building stronger manufacturing capabilities.
These developments create difficult policy questions.
Should African countries develop their own AI capabilities?
How can industrial policy respond to automation?
Which green technologies offer realistic opportunities for African economies?
How can countries strengthen domestic manufacturing?
What policies could support structural transformation?
Research grounded in African economic realities can help provide evidence for answering these questions.
Opportunity for African Researchers
The commissions could be especially valuable for researchers seeking to contribute directly to debates around African economic transformation.
Africa is sometimes analysed primarily through research frameworks developed outside the continent.
Supporting research focused explicitly on African industrial development can help strengthen locally relevant evidence and policy analysis.
Researchers with direct knowledge of African institutions, industries, economies and policy environments may therefore be well positioned to develop meaningful contributions.
However, the supplied announcement does not provide a complete country-by-country eligibility list. Applicants should verify any nationality, residency, institutional-affiliation or other eligibility conditions contained in the official commissioning documents before applying.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by:
September 21, 2026.
Because the research themes require a clear alignment between an applicant’s expertise and the commissioned work, interested researchers should begin preparing their materials well before the deadline.
Applicants should review the complete commissioning information and ensure their submission addresses the requirements of their chosen research theme.
Contact for Enquiries
The announcement identifies Melanie Ingrid (Deville) Ridgard, MBA as the contact person for enquiries regarding the commissioned research opportunities.
Applicants should use the official contact details supplied in the commissioning announcement for questions about eligibility, application documents, funding arrangements or research expectations.
Candidates should avoid sending personal documents to unrelated opportunity websites or third parties.
How to Choose Between the Three Research Themes
Applicants with several overlapping areas of expertise should select the commission where they can demonstrate the strongest track record.
Choose AI and Industrial Policy in Africa if your experience is strongest in technology, innovation, AI policy, economics or industrial development.
Choose Green Technology Development if your expertise involves climate policy, sustainable manufacturing, clean technology, environmental economics or green industrialisation.
Choose Manufacturing and Structural Transformation if your work focuses on industrialisation, manufacturing, economic diversification, value chains or development economics.
A highly targeted application will generally communicate expertise more effectively than one attempting to cover every research theme.
Final Thoughts
The Work Remotely on Africa’s Industrial Future: DSI/NRF SARChI Offers Up to $15,000 for 3 Research Commissions in 2026 (Fully Funded) opportunity provides researchers and policy specialists with a chance to contribute to important debates about Africa’s economic future.
Three research commissions are available:
1. AI and Industrial Policy in Africa
2. Green Technology Development
3. Manufacturing and Structural Transformation
Each commission runs for approximately six months and provides a research budget of up to US$15,000.
Successful researchers can generally undertake the work remotely, although they should be prepared to participate in one or two scheduled project meetings.
The research could contribute evidence to some of the most important questions facing African policymakers: how to respond to AI, build green industries, strengthen manufacturing and accelerate structural economic transformation.
Applications close on September 21, 2026.
Interested researchers should carefully review the complete commissioning documents, confirm their eligibility and submit an application demonstrating strong expertise in their selected research theme.
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