The vision of ACEP II remains the same as ACEP I, i.e. “Build the capacity to sustain the processes which support life”, and the aim of the ACEP II is to build on the good work that has been done before and ensure that the vision and objectives is achieved through high quality research. In line with DST’s request for an open, transparent and competitive funding structure, an open research call was distributed by the NRF in late 2007. This initiative allowed for any researcher or research consortium to submit a bid for research funding through ACEP II. The open call for ACEP II projects was a success and eight proposals involving 30 scientists from 10 research institutions were awarded funding.
The following projects were awarded funding: