President's Awards

The National Research Foundation President's Awards primarily recognise South African scientists for their achievements as indicated through the NRF rating system. In addition, to the rating-linked awards the mandate of the NRF stipulates that the organisation supports and promotes research in the broadest sense. These special awards provide a platform to honour researchers for career contributions to knowledge creation and dissemination as well as capacity development and transformation in the national research system.

Awards are made in the following categories annually at the NRF President's Awards function:

1. A-rated Researchers;
2. P-rated Researchers;
3. *Champion of Research Capacity Development at SA Higher Education Institutions (HEIs);
4. *Transforming the Science Cohort, and
5. *Lifetime Achiever.

(*nominees in these categories may not necessarily be a researcher rated by the NRF)

Participating institutions

Institutions from the National System of Innovation (NSI) may submit a nomination in the categories, 'Transformation of the Science Cohort', 'Champion of Research Capacity Development at SA HEIs' and 'Lifetime Achiever' awards without the support of their institutions. However, all nominations must be submitted through the research offices of an NRF recognised research institution or responsible authorities within the institution (endorsed by CEO). 

1. Applicants awarded an A- or P-rating by the NRF on (re)evaluation
   A- and P-rated researchers (re)rated during the last (peer-reviewed) rating cycle who are recognised at the awards function are pre-selected through the rigorous Evaluation and Rating System of the NRF. 
    
2. Transformation of the Science Cohort
   The Transformation of the Science Cohort award was introduced in 2007. This category honours the challenge of acquiring more black scientists moving towards world class research performance by giving them encouragement and recognition for their efforts. The award is focused on transforming the science cohort to be more representative of the South African demographics.

   Criteria (eligibility) for nomination
   The nominee for the Transformation of the Science Cohort award must: 

   • be a black South African citizen or permanent resident
   • be an active researcher at a South African research institution, in any research field which could qualify for support from the NRF a
   • have an impressive research performance record as indicated by the standard research performance indicators and/or judged by peers.

   
    
3. Champion of Research Capacity Development at SA HEIs
   The Champion of Research Capacity Development at SA HEIs award was introduced in 2009. This category recognises individuals within the research community who contribute to the transformation of South Africa's community and landscape. The aim of this award is to encourage and promote this activity across the South African research community.
   
   It should be noted that the award is dependent on the number of students in the designated groups that had been trained, as well as the quality and impact of research outputs of the students.
   Criteria (eligibility) for nomination
   
   The nominee for the Champion of Research Capacity development at SA HEIs award must:

   • Clearly indicate the number of Masters and PhD students who are black;
   • Clearly identify the strategy in place to develop capacity;
   • Clearly indicate research outputs by students under their supervision;
   • be a permanent or contracted employee employed at the institution that selects the nominee;
   • be characterised by his/her peers as an active researcher in any discipline;
   • be acknowledged to have made, or to be making, a significant contribution to the:
     • identification of research talent within designated groups,
     • the nurturing ot this talent,
     • moduling and developing of research excellence;
   • have achieved this through the respect of everyone in the research institution and
   • have a track record of success in achieving transformation for at least the past three years.
4. Lifetime Achiever
   The Lifetime Achiever award, introduced in 2004, is awarded to a deserving South African individual who is considered to have made outstanding extraordinary contribution(s) to the development of science in and for South Africa, over an extended period of time. The contributions must be considered to be of international standard and impact.
    
   Criteria (eligibility) for nomination
   The selection of the candidate for the Lifetime Achiever award must fulfil the following criteria:

   • Be a South African citizen or permanent resident generally above 60 years of age;
   • Her/his science/innovation-related contribution and/or achievements in and for South Africa must be of international standard and have been recognised internationally;
   • Must have made a contribution in the lives of South Africans, through her/his science/innovation-related work and achievements that can be categorised as being significant, recognisably developmental, beneficial and have made significant impact; and
   • Need not be associated with a research or higher education institution at the point of being recognised for this award.