Making progress through partnership.
Our dynamic network of partners spans across academic, curatorial, industrial and funding institutions. Together, we are dedicated to moving forward through collaboration, research, innovation, technology and a shared passion for Palaeoscience.
GENUS continues to build strategic partnerships, developing a thriving network that enhances palaeoscience research.
If you are not associated with one of our partners listed below, but you or your institute/organisation would like to have a joint appointment or an affiliation with GENUS to access our grants, please get in touch with us at info.genus@wits.ac.za for more information.
Academic and Research Partnerships
Our Academic Partners form a local and global network of universities featuring world-class Palaeoscience research and teaching programmes. By investing in leading researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and postgraduate students, we aim to continue setting the highest standards of research, innovation and learning.
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg - Host Institution
(since 2013)From discovering what lies beneath the earth’s surface to saving lives through better healthcare systems, Wits is on the ground making a difference. It has over 50 active projects around Africa and the university is represented globally through partnerships, collaborations, staff, student exchanges
and alumni.
Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha
(since 2019 )Nelson Mandela University has always been resolute in its commitment towards social justice. To this end, the university remains committed to ongoing efforts to widen access to higher education for students,
in particular those from poor and working-class backgrounds.
Rhodes University, Makhanda
(since 2018)Founded in 1904, Rhodes University has a well-established reputation for academic excellence. With just over 8200 students, Rhodes is a small university, which enjoys the distinction of having among the best undergraduate pass and graduation rates in South Africa, outstanding postgraduate success rates, and the best research output per academic staff member.
University of Cape Town, Cape Town
(since 2013)UCT is an inclusive and engaged research-intensive African university that inspires creativity through outstanding achievements in learning, discovery and citizenship. The university enhances the lives of its students and staff, advancing a more equitable and sustainable social order, and influencing the global higher
education landscape.
University of Pretoria, Tshwane
(since 2019)UP is one of Africa’s top universities and the largest contact university in South Africa. It produces socially impactful research to find solutions for the world’s most pressing issues. UP has a high quality of teaching and learning in the classroom, online and in communities.
University of the Free State, Bloemfontein
(since 2019)UFS is a research-led, student-centred and regionally-engaged university that contributes to development and social justice through the production of globally competitive graduates and knowledge.
Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE), University of Bergen, Norway
(2018-2023)The Research Council of Norway, Centres of Excellence (SFF) scheme gives Norway’s best researchers the opportunity to organise their research activities in centres that seek to achieve ambitious scientific objectives through collaboration and with long-term basic funding. The research conducted at the centres must be innovative and have major potential to generate ground-breaking results that advance the international research frontier.
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Integrated Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis (CIMERA), University of Johannesburg
(2018-2023)DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Integrated Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis (CIMERA) is hosted by the Department of Geology at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and co-hosted by the School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). DSI-NRF CIMERA was launched on the 24th of April 2014 by the National Research Foundation (NRF) section of the South African Department of Science and Technology (DSI). The CoE is funded by the (previous) Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), with contributions from the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand. Center of Excellence are mandated by the DSI to supplement funding through collaborative industry and internationally funded projects.
Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)
(since 2022)The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is a globally renowned research organization at the forefront of scientific exploration. Its dedicated scientists investigate various domains such as the natural world, materials, the cosmos, and societal structures to address the significant challenges of both present and future. With its outstanding scientific research, the CNRS has earned international recognition and serves as a benchmark in the realms of research, development, and public engagement.
North-West University
(since 2023)The NWU is committed to functioning as a unitary, integrated, multi-campus university that enables equity, redress and globally competitive teaching and research across all three of our campuses. Their core activities, teaching-learning and research, are intertwined with community engagement and innovation in eight faculties, most of which serve contact students and a select few that also include our distance learning students.
Natural Science Museum Partnerships
South Africa's rich fossil record is unlike any other. Our repository of museum science collections protects our fossil and archaeological heritage, while making them available for continued research. Our partnerships with museums also provide a platform to ignite public curiosity through engaging exhibitions.
Albany Museum, Makhanda
(since 2013)The Albany Museum vision is to become a museum that is an integral part of its community, contributing to the process of nation building through nurturing a society that is aware of the value of its past and is constructively engaged in the present in order to create a better future.
Iziko Museums of South Africa, Cape Town
(since 2013)Iziko Museums of South Africa is an African museum of excellence that inspires all people to celebrate and respect our diverse heritage.
National Museum, Bloemfontein
(since 2013)The National Museum, Bloemfontein’s mission is to provide heritage resources and an enjoyable experience to all people through quality research, conservation, education and exhibitions.
Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, Pretoria
(since 2013)The Ditsong Museums mission is to transform and enhance museums and heritage sites as vehicles for nation building and social cohesion through active conservation, innovative research and relevant public programmes for the benefit of present and future generations.
Industry Partnerships
Effective collaboration between academics and companies is critical for management research.
It can inspire new research topics that are relevant to industry, and offer numerous benefits through the implementation of these groundbreaking findings.
Please contact us for more information.
Funding Partnerships
Government agencies, as well as industry, business, NGOs and foundations help make these partnerships financially viable and sustainable through grants and donations.
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Pretoria
(since 2013)The DSI seeks to boost socio-economic development in South Africa through research and innovation. To achieve its goals, the department provides leadership, as well as an enabling environment and resources for science, technology and innovation.
National Research Foundation (NRF), Pretoria
(since 2013)The NRF is an independent statutory body set up in accordance with the National Research Foundation Act. Its mandate is to support and promote research through funding, human resource development, and the provision of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge. Thereby contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of all
South Africans.
Millennium Trust, Stellenbosch
(since 2016)The Millennium Trust was established in 2010 as a non-profit organisation with the aim of contributing to the success of South Africa.
There is agreement on the most important challenges to South Africa. To be successful, South Africa will need sustained economic growth, high-quality education, informed public debate, independent democratic institutions and efficient service delivery.
The Trust conducts its own projects and also supports individuals, projects and organisations that provide interesting and creative answers to these challenges.
We Are Valora
(2018-2022)Pan-African Brand Consultancy dedicated to enabling organisations to tell their stories, bring their purpose to life and gear their brand for the future.
Ancient Odysseys
(since 2022)Ancient Odysseys was founded by Marisa Rodriguez, to make it easier for travellers to join research-based palaeontology and archaeology digs and work alongside the scientists themselves.
https://www.ancientodysseys.com/