CSIR, located in South Africa, is one of the leading scientific and
technology research, development and implementation organisations in
Africa. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science
council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research,
technological innovation as well as industrial and scientific
development to improve the quality of life of the country’s people. The
CSIR is committed to supporting innovation in South Africa to improve
national competitiveness in the global economy. Science and technology
services and solutions are provided in support of various stakeholders,
and opportunities are identified where new technologies can be further
developed and exploited in the private and public sectors for commercial
and social benefit. To achieve this, CSIR uses a contract research
management model which is applied to external contracts as well as the
approximately one third of its funding that is received through a
parliamentary grant.
CSIR covers a wide range of research domains including biosciences,
the built environment, defence peace safety and security, information
and communications technology, laser technology, materials science and
manufacturing, natural resources and the environment, space technology,
specialised analysis and testing facilities, and new areas of research
such as nanotechnology. Though the CSIR has a primary focus in South
Africa, it is expanding its research into other parts of Africa and has
extensive experience in other African countries and is well networked
with other African researchers.
Within the Natural Resources and Environment domain the CSIR has long-term expertise and current projects in forestry and woodlands,
environmental issues including biodiversity and catchment hydrology,
sustainability assessments and environmental aspects of energy.
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