Carnegie Corporation Grant to Advance African Postdoctoral Research

As evident from global trends, there is an increase in demand for higher-level skills in the innovation and knowledge fields. While Africa has become more aware of the imperative advantage of a highly skilled science and innovation workforce in driving the continent’s sustainable development and innovation agenda, the region has been lagging in the transition towards knowledge and innovation economies. The training of the next generation of researchers, “the knowledge workers of the future” is key to the development of a sustainable innovation system that responds to local and global challenges and opportunities as well as to position Africa competitively in the global research and innovation arena.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is excited to partner with the Carnegie Corporation of New York in support of Phase II of the Peer-Learning for Emerging Researchers’ Knowledge and Advancement (PERKA) programme which will build on the successful outcomes of PERKA Phase I. The PERKA project aims to address the challenges faced by emerging researchers in Africa, particularly in the post-PhD phase, where resources for research are scarce, and teaching and administrative responsibilities are high. The project seeks to create a supportive ecosystem for emerging academics through the study of successful postdoctoral fellowship models worldwide and the development of context-specific best practices and programmes for Africa.

Says NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, “This partnership is critical for the development of practical approaches that foster and grow the next generation of intellectual leaders in Africa. The project will further position the region to attract, retain and nurture exceptional emerging researchers and, in turn, contribute to both knowledge and societal development”.

Phase II of the PERKA project will be implemented by the NRF in conjunction with the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship at the University of Pretoria. The NRF remains committed to growing the next generation of intellectual leaders in the region.