South Africa’s Competition Commission is betting big on research to tackle the complex challenges of a modern economy—but can it truly bridge the gap between theory and practice? The 2026 Multidisciplinary Research Grant Programme (MRGP) is not just another funding opportunity; it’s a bold initiative aimed at reshaping how competition law is enforced in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. Now in its fourth iteration, this program invites researchers to dive into the intersection of competition law, emerging technologies, and societal shifts, all while keeping an eye on South Africa’s unique constitutional and developmental priorities.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While the program champions inclusivity and multidisciplinary approaches, it also challenges researchers to address thorny issues like algorithmic pricing, data privacy, and environmental sustainability—topics that often spark debate over regulation versus innovation. Can competition law keep pace with the digital age? And how can it balance consumer welfare with broader public interest goals like economic inclusion and redress for historically disadvantaged groups?
Programme Overview
South Africa’s competition law framework stands out globally for its dual focus: promoting market competition while explicitly addressing public interest objectives. This includes supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), advancing economic inclusion, and ensuring that historically marginalized communities benefit from a fair and dynamic economy. As a constitutional democracy, the framework is also deeply rooted in upholding fundamental rights, making it a unique and complex system to navigate.
In recent years, the rise of global digital platforms, algorithmic pricing, and data-driven markets has introduced unprecedented challenges. Add to this the pressures of sustainability, continental economic integration, and national developmental goals, and you have a landscape that demands innovative, multidisciplinary solutions. And this is the part most people miss: The MRGP isn’t just about legal or economic research; it’s a call to action for social scientists, data experts, ethicists, and environmental researchers to join the conversation.
Purpose and Strategic Focus
The MRGP has a clear mission: to foster research that not only informs competition law enforcement but also strengthens South Africa’s research ecosystem. Key objectives include:
- Promoting multidisciplinary research that bridges gaps between competition law, economics, and other fields like social sciences and environmental studies.
- Strengthening the national research base to support evidence-based policymaking.
- Developing early-career and historically disadvantaged scholars, ensuring a diverse pipeline of future experts.
- Encouraging collaboration across institutions and disciplines to tackle complex challenges holistically.
- Supporting evidence-based policymaking to ensure that enforcement strategies are both effective and equitable.
Controversy alert: The program places special emphasis on team diversity—not just in terms of gender and race, but also in including junior researchers and those from institutions where competition law research is less established. Is this enough to address systemic inequalities in the field? Or does more need to be done to ensure true representation?
Grant Value and Disbursement
Successful applicants can secure grants ranging from R50,000 to R150,000, with funding levels determined by proposal quality, researcher experience, and team composition. Importantly, only direct research costs are covered, ensuring that funds are used efficiently. The disbursement structure is phased:
- 40% upon approval of the research proposal,
- 30% upon submission of the draft research paper,
- 30% upon submission of the final research paper.
Eligibility and Application Process
The program is open to a wide range of applicants, including doctoral students (with supervisor support), post-doctoral researchers, academics at South African tertiary institutions, and experienced researchers at recognized institutions. However, there are strict requirements:
- Applicants must be based in South Africa.
- Only one proposal per researcher per year is allowed.
- Existing funding for the same research must be disclosed.
- Researchers must source their own data, as Commission data cannot be shared.
Thought-provoking question: With such stringent eligibility criteria, are we potentially excluding valuable voices from the global research community? Or is this a necessary step to ensure the program’s focus remains firmly on South Africa’s unique challenges?
Thematic Research Areas
While proposals are not limited to specific themes, the Commission has highlighted priority areas to spark ideas. These include:
- Constitutional rights and competition enforcement
- Public interest evaluation methodologies
- Gender, environmental sustainability, and SDGs in competition law
- Design and effectiveness of competition remedies
- Competition enforcement for growth and development
- Consumer behavior in South African markets
- Competition dynamics in township and rural economies
- Merger impacts on small buyers and suppliers
- Personal data markets and privacy protection
- Algorithmic pricing and welfare effects
- Cartel detection tools and techniques
- Criminalization, fines, and deterrence
- Competition in regulated sectors
- Priority sectors such as food, healthcare, ICT, energy, and finance
- Legal standards and liability in enforcement
- Implementation of amendments to the Competition Act
- Institutional design of competition authorities
Controversial interpretation: Some of these themes, like algorithmic pricing and data privacy, are hotly debated globally. Is South Africa’s approach to these issues too conservative, or is it setting a new standard for balancing innovation with public interest?
Proposal Evaluation and Timeline
Proposals will be evaluated by the Research Grant Committee (RGC) based on technical merit, relevance to competition law enforcement, capacity-building potential, and team diversity. Key dates to remember:
- Proposal submission deadline: 28 February 2026
- Final adjudication: March 2026
- Draft paper submission: June 2026
- Final paper submission: August 2026
- Presentation at Annual Conference: October/November 2026
Submissions must include CVs, a research summary, and a detailed technical proposal with budget. All materials should be sent to emailprotected.
Final Thoughts
The MRGP is more than a funding program; it’s a catalyst for transformative research that could redefine competition enforcement in South Africa. By investing in multidisciplinary, inclusive, and forward-looking studies, the Competition Commission is not just addressing current challenges—it’s shaping the future of the nation’s economy.
We want to hear from you: Do you think multidisciplinary approaches are the key to solving complex competition issues? Or are they too broad to deliver actionable insights? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the grants. For inquiries, contact the Competition Commission directly. Applications sent to GSO cannot be processed, and due to high email volumes, responses may be delayed. Thank you for your understanding.
