NRF Awards

20 Years of SKA

2023 sees the celebration of 20 years of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project in South Africa from its initial proposal to the current roll-out of new radio antennas that will, once completed in 2030, form the largest and most sensitive radio telescope array in the world. South Africa’s commitment to science excellence has been a major contributor to the acceptance of its proposal to host the SKA; the construction of the SKA itself; and the cosmic observations and discoveries that are already taking place using the arrays already built.

Award Categories

The NRF provides funding to postgraduate students in order to address the skills shortages in the fields of science, engineering, technology, humanities and social sciences by increasing the possibility of retaining suitably qualified young scientists, thereby increasing the pool of researchers and knowledge workers in the National System of Innovation. This award recognises outstanding academic performance by final-year doctoral students.
The NRF aspires to develop and enhance the research stature of Early Career/ Emerging Researchers, prioritising black, female and people with disabilities as part of its transformation agenda which, among others, aims to redress historical imbalances in the South African researcher cohort. This award recognises outstanding research performance by current Early Career/Emerging Researchers in any discipline, who are NRF grant holders.
The Public Engagement with Research Award recognises outstanding contributions to public engagement with science and encourages academics to make their work, and science and technology in general, more accessible to the public.
This category recognises individuals within the research community who contribute to the transformation, and thus diversity, of South Africa’s science cohort through the research students they supervise.
Named after the self-taught surgeon who trained generations of medical students in surgical techniques, the Hamilton Naki Award honours individuals for achieving world-class research performance despite considerable challenges.
Derived from the words “excellence” and “acceleration”, the Excelleration Award acknowledges South African research institutions for achieving the most improved research performance over recent years as evaluated by independent parties, and measured against a selection of critical indicators.
Presented to a South African research institution which has previously won the NRF Excelleration Award for SA Research Institutions, this award recognises the institution’s continued progress and commitment to excellence in research performance as measured against a selection of critical indicators.
In recognition of the contributions, creativity and achievements of a science team towards extending the boundaries of scientific research in Africa, producing science outcomes which have positively impacted society and for the role they played in raising South Africa’s international stature as a world-class research destination.
A-rated researchers are unequivocally recognised by their peers as leading international scholars in their respective fields, for the high quality and impact of recent research outputs. They play a significant role in developing the next generation of researchers. Acquiring an NRF rating generates considerable acknowledgement and respect for the individual researchers as well as their institutions.
This award recognises an individual who has made significant contributions in enabling the growth and performance of the South African National System of Innovation.

Follow the button below to register on the NRF Connect System and/or to update your CV:

For eligibility enquiries please contact:

Mr Lebogang Mpetle
Tel: 012 481 4052
Email: ML.Mpetle@risa.nrf.ac.za

For submission enquiries please contact:

Ms Mpai Motsei
Tel: 012 481 4078
Email: ML.Motsei@risa.nrf.ac.za

NRF Awards Principal Sponsors
Elsevier