Do you have a project you're passionate about? Need tools and components to bring it to life? Apply for the Student Project Fund SA for a chance to win R10,000 worth of RS Products and take your innovation to the next level!
What is the Student Project Fund?
The Student Project Fund is a product donation programme supporting students to turn their concepts into tangible projects. Successful applicants will receive R10,000 worth of RS products to help prototype, build, and test their innovations.
Projects can be part of your university studies (e.g., dissertations, module projects) or personal initiatives outside your coursework. We aim to support ideas that solve industry challenges, whether the impact is big or small.
The application is simple, tell us:
- Your project's aim (whether it's an idea or in progress).
- How the fund will help achieve your objectives.
- The potential impact of your project on the industry or community.
With the Fund, we are putting our commitment to supporting students from Engineering and Technology related courses to become work-ready by providing resources for enhancing prototyping and experimentation skills which are key to their education journey. We strongly believe these innovations could transform our world for a better future.
What's on Offer?
- Products worth R10,000 (inc. VAT) of your choice from RS.
- Join the inspirational Global Community of RS Youth & Community.
- Access to our software suite and learning material of various technologies by being a member of RS DesignSpark.
What do we expect from successful applicants?
- Submit your application
- Sign our simple agreement
- Create your content on DesignSpark
- Order your products
- Send us a short video introducing yourself and the project
Application Criteria
- Aged 18 and over as of the date of entry.
- You must be a registered member of RS DesignSpark.
- If you are not yet registered, register now. Become an Explorer and kickstart your learning journey with other 1.3 million members.
- Enrolled in full-time/part-time or degree apprenticeship university Engineering or Technology related program.
- Resident in South Africa
N:B: Formula Students Teams have a separate Build Fund and cannot apply to the Student Project Fund for Formula Student support.
Judging Criteria
Entries shall be judged against the following criteria:
- Impact of your work on the chosen area of research.
- Vision for how the Fund will help you.
- Access to facilities and equipment to execute your project.
- Consideration of wider impacts on people, the planet, and sustainability.
Timeline
FAQs
I am working on a project outside my university studies can I apply?
- The Student Project Fund is there to support university students to become work-ready through gaining practical skills as they complete their projects. If you are working on a personal unassessed project alongside your studies you are eligible to apply provided you meet ALL the other requirements.
Does it matter if I am a team or an individual?
- Project teams or individual innovators are equally eligible to apply! Please let us know which one you are in the application.
I am part of an IMechE Formula Student, can I apply for this fund?
- If you are an IMechE Formula Student, there is a separate sponsorship fund for you to apply for which can be found here: BUILD FUND
- You are not able to apply for both.
I am not studying at a university in South Africa can I still apply?
- Unfortunately not but other parts of the world have their own funds throughout the year.
I am compiling my list of tools and components - do you have any recommendations?
- The Higher Education page at RS Online is a great place to find some of the most popular products for students.
- You also might be interested in reading Top 5 Favourite Project Tools.
- Check out last year's winners and their projects: Dylan, Mishay, Michael, Annabelle & Team TuksBaja, Shamira, Lebogang.
I have another question, who can I ask?
- Email educationZA@rs.rsgroup.com and we will be happy to help you.
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