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Budget 2011: Boost for innovation budget
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PDF The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is set to spend over R1.2 billion by 2014 on research, development and innovation budget in an effort to boost the country’s skills base and contribute to economic growth.
According to the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) released by the National Treasury today, it was estimated the expenditure for innovation would grow from R855 million in the 2011/12 financial year to R1.27 billion in 2013/14.
Space science programmes, such as the multi-billion rand Square Kilometre Array (SKA)project and the establishment of the South African National Space Agency, were allocated R904 million over the medium term.
Innovation and planning initiatives would receive R1.5 billion of the budget over the medium term, with 95% of the funding being allocated to the recently created Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in an effort to achieve the technological innovation strategic objectives of the department.
The department’s total budget is set to grow to R5.5 billion in the 2013/14 financial year from R4.4 billion in the current financial year. Over the medium term, R27 million would be allocated to the establishment of the Intellectual Property Office, while increased funding had been allocated to the SKA project due to some rescheduling.
The DST notes that to realise the full potential of science, technology and innovation, SA should increase its investment as well as its ability to convert some of its research and development activities into products and services. Investments should focus on increased human capital in science, technology, engineering and innovation, to produce a greater number of skilled individuals.
In response to these needs the DST notes that its spending focus will be on human capital development and that it will continue to invest in initiatives and increase the number of young people entering and remaining in science and technology careers.
The number of chairs under the South African Research Chairs Initiative, would also be increased. Substantial allocations would be made to its research, development and innovation programmes. This would include increased funding for the South African Research Network; the National Research Foundation; the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Human Science Research Council.
