The ERP is for early career academics or those who have not yet established themselves as researchers. It includes a wide range of professional development seminars and workshops which are open to all staff, as well as research development grants for eligible early career staff. (The grants are dependent on funding and limited to staff who meet certain criteria, which include being on academic conditions of service, and being an active participant in the researcher development initiatives of the Research Office).

In the ERP, early career academics are helped to plan their research careers so that they can achieve the various milestones necessary to advance in a research intensive university – a doctoral degree, accredited (subsidy-earning) research outputs (such as articles, books, patents, creative productions), successful grant proposals, postgraduate supervision, and NRF rating.

Retired or current professors with excellent research and supervision experience are engaged to offer seminars on a wide range of topics such as:

The ERP also offers workshops on postgraduate supervision, grant proposal writing and conference presentations. Writing retreats are organised at the request of departments or research groups.

The 2026 calendar and themes is still pending.

View the 2025 programme here (downloadable PDF).

Register for the training sessions by contacting Nocky Bobo.

How much support is offered?

The amount and type of support depends on an individual’s needs. Some need only the minimum required to join the programme – a personal introductory and planning interview. Others take full advantage of the ERP’s suite of offerings over a number of years. Once they have achieved an NRF rating or have been promoted to associate professor they have officially ‘emerged’ from the programme and no longer qualify for ERP funding.