Research Funding, Awards and Fellowships

Funding is vital to carry out any form of research successfully and to advance as an academic. As an emerging scholar, I realised early in my career that I would need to acquire this essential skill, and I embarked on a program offered by the African Doctoral Studies at Stellenbosch University and attended a course on grant writing fundamentals. Since then, I have applied for three types of funding and they all have been successful.

1. RIFTAL - This funding proposal was successful in putting in place an intervention in my teaching and learning to support the students. The Project Bridging the Gap: Enhanced educational experience through flipped laboratory classes in first-year Food Science and Technology  was awarded funding to the value of R85 904 through UCDG/Fundani CHED.

2. URF-  the project titled “Proximal, structural, antioxidant and functional properties of flours and protein preparations from three edible insects: Hermetia Illucens, Imbrasia belina and Encosternum delegorguei” was awarded R60 033.00 through the university research funding (URF).

3. CPUT Consolidated Research Fund (CRF) – The project titled “Recovery of valuable compounds from agricultural food using green technologies: process design and economic analysis” was awarded R44,964 through the CPUT Consolidated Research Fund (CRF) in 2023. The project focuses on sustainable extraction processes with potential for industrial application.

4. CPUT Consolidated Research Fund (CRF) – The project titled “The impact of composition of traditional edible insect flours on the nutritional and sensorial profile of biscuits” was awarded R24,985.00 through CRF in 2023. This project investigates the nutritional and sensory contributions of traditional insect flours in baked products.

5. CPUT Consolidated Research Fund (CRF) – The project titled “Ultrasound-assisted extraction of edible insect proteins as value-added ingredients” received R79,840.00 in 2023 through CRF. The aim was to explore innovative protein extraction methods for improved techno-functional and nutritional performance.

6. RIFTAL – The project “Student perceptions of online assessments: An interdisciplinary study in undergraduate food science and technology and biomedical sciences” received R57,000.00 in 2022 under the RIFTAL funding scheme. This research aimed to assess student engagement and academic performance in digital assessments.

7. CPUT Transdisciplinary Research Funding – The initiative “Digital tools for social engagement in teaching and learning in higher education” was funded with R100,000.00 in 2021. The project facilitated the integration of digital platforms to enhance classroom interaction and inclusive learning.

8. RIFTAL (UCDG/Fundani CHED) – The project titled “Bridging the Gap: Enhanced educational experience through flipped laboratory classes in first-year Food Science and Technology” was awarded R60,000.00 in 2020. The funding enabled implementation of blended practicals to improve conceptual understanding and student performance.

9. ConfComm - In 2020, I received an award from the Conference Committee (ConfCom) to attend the “6th International  ISEKI-Food  Conference”,  in  “Nicosia,  Cyprus”. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the conference was held online instead of in person. I was able to present an oral paper and a poster, and the attendees were impressed with the work presented, judging by the engagement in the Q&A session.

10. CONFCOM – In 2023, funding of R52,000.00 was awarded to attend the 7th International ISEKI-Food Conference (ISEKI-Food 2023, Paris, France). This supported participation in global discourse on food innovation and sustainability.

11. TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visit (2025) Germany