List
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| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Government of South Africa |
| Headquarters | Brummeria, Pretoria |
| Annual budget | R 9.145 billion (2022/23) [1] |
| Minister responsible |
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| Department executive |
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| Website | www.dsti.gov.za |
| Map | |
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The Department of Science and Innovation (DST; formerly the Department of Science and Technology) is the South African government department responsible for scientific research, including space programmes. The current Minister is Blade Nzimande. [2]
Much of the department's work is ultimately carried out through various quasi-independent agencies (although still usually government bodies) including:
- the National Research Foundation, which receives a substantial proportion of the DST budget to carry out various research support tasks, including supporting key national research infrastructure ("National Research Facilities"), scientific research grant administration and a student grant scheme;
- the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, which acts as a quasi-privatised research and development agency with a specific focus on research of application to industry;
- the Technology Innovation Agency, which serves to provide funding to turn innovative research into commercial products;
- the South African National Space Agency, which covers space-related research and development initiatives;
- the Human Sciences Research Council, which focuses its research on human health and disease.
