The Multidisciplinary Research Grant Programme (MRGP) 2026 is a funding opportunity offered by the Competition Commission of South Africa. The programme promotes evidence-based enforcement and encourages projects that address traditional regulatory challenges and emerging economic, social, and technological issues. This edition invites detailed proposals from multidisciplinary research teams, with a deadline of February 28, 2026.
About the Multidisciplinary Research Grant Programme
The MRGP will strengthen research in competition law by integrating perspectives from economics, social sciences, environmental studies, data science, ethics, and development research. The programme seeks to bring together scholars whose work can inform policy, support enforcement, and contribute to inclusive economic outcomes.
Research under this programme may focus on issues such as small- and medium-sized enterprise support, inequality reduction, and broader public-interest objectives. The grant encourages innovative approaches that combine multiple disciplines to provide deeper insights into competition policy challenges.
Funding Size
- Typical grant amount: R50 000 to R150 000, depending on project scope.
- Â Maximum award: R150 000 for a single research project
- Â Project duration supported: Projects must be completed by August 2026.
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Who Can Apply for the Multidisciplinary Research Grant Programme
Eligible organisation types
- Doctoral students with a supervisor’s support letter
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Academics at South African universities
- Experienced researchers at recognised research institutions
Registration or legal documents
- Proof of affiliation with a recognised research or academic institution
- Supervisor support letter for doctoral candidates
- Disclosure of any existing funding for the proposed research
- Detailed research budget
Project focus requirements
- Research must be relevant to competition law enforcement
- Projects should integrate multidisciplinary perspectives
- Applicants must source their own data
- Only direct research costs are funded
Geographic eligibility
- Applicants must be based in South Africa
- Teams may include researchers from different institutions, but project leadership must be South African
Sector or thematic focus
- Competition law and enforcement research
- Social, economic, and technological dimensions of competition
- Environmental sustainability and behavioural market analysis
- Public interest evaluation and institutional design research
Application Process
- Prepare a detailed research proposal and send it to this mail
- Submit all materials by the proposal deadline
- Proposals will be evaluated by the Research Grant Committee
- Draft research outputs must be submitted in June 2026
- Final research papers must be submitted by August 2026
- Present research findings at the Annual Conference in October or November 2026
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Required Materials
- Curriculum vitae and contact details of all team members
- Summary of research question and methodology
- Full technical proposal describing research design and expected outcomes
- Detailed research budget
- Supervisor support letter for doctoral applicants
Key Dates
- Proposal submission deadline: 28 February 2026
- Final adjudication: March 2026
- Draft research paper submission: June 2026
- Final research paper submission: August 2026
- Presentation at Annual Conference: October/November 2026
Selection Note
- The MRGP is competitive and prioritises high-quality, rigorous research proposals with strong methodology
- Priority is given to multidisciplinary teams, early-career and historically disadvantaged researchers, and proposals addressing emerging economic and public interest issues
- Applicants outside South Africa are not eligible
Official Source Of the Multidisciplinary Research Grant Programme
Application Page: https://www.compcom.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Research-Grant-Programme-RFP-FY2026-updated-.pdf
