National Science Week, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is a countrywide celebration of science involving various stakeholders and/or role players conducting science-based activities during the week. For the fourth year running, the DST has decided to run National Science Week in all nine provinces simultaneously at multiple sites per province.

The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF), will continue to play the role of National Project Manager for the National Science Week 2009 (NSW9).

The focus week will run from Saturday 9 May 2009 to Saturday 16 May 2009. In addition to contributing to science, engineering and technology among various sections of the population, the National Science Week is intended to expose learners to science-based careers, particularly disadvantaged sections of the population.

This is a closed call for proposals which means that only service providers who received a grant NSW 2008 implementation will be considered for the 2009 NSW implementation.

SAASTA is to take a leadership position in promoting broad public awareness,
appreciation and understanding of science, engineering and technology in South Africa.

On the 18th to the 21st of February 20009, SAASTA will be hosting the 2nd
African Science Communication Conference. The theme of this conference
is “Shaping Africa’s future – Science Communication’s contribution to Science,
Technology and Innovation, and the development of democracy in Africa.

SAASTA invites creative and innovative proposals from the Events Management Companies/Organisations, which will handle the logisticalarrangements of the Conference.

ONLY one proposal per applicant with a clear budget breakdown will be considered. Targeted conference size is approximately 250.

On 18-21 February 2009, the 2nd African Science Communications Conference (ASCC) will convene in Gauteng, South Africa. The theme of the 2nd ASCC will be "Shaping Africa's Future: Science Communication's contribution to Science, Technology and Innovation, and the development of democracy in Africa".