Invitation: Youth Month Stories 2026

Every year during Youth Month, the NRF invites profile submissions to celebrate young researchers who have a current or past affiliation with the NRF; its national research facilities (NRF-SAAO, NRF-iThemba LABS, NRF-SAIAB, NRF-SAEON, and NRF-SARAO); NRF-SAASTA; Centres of Excellence; and Research Chairs. The affiliation can be through various funding programmes, supervision, employment, or any other opportunities offered by the NRF.

This year, the NRF celebrates the youth whose work contributes to meaningful change in South Africa and beyond.

To ensure fairness, we kindly ask that researchers who were featured during the 2025 NRF Youth Month celebrations not submit questionnaire responses for the 2026 celebrations.

Participants who are looking for inspiration for their own stories are welcome to view some of the NRF’s previous Youth Month features on our website here.

The questionnaire consists of nine questions and is available for download from the link below. Please complete and return your submission in its original Word format to T.Brussow@nrf.ac.za along with one or two high-quality photos of yourself.

The deadline for submissions is midnight on Sunday, 31 May 2026.

By submitting your story, you give the NRF consent to use it and the photos you have provided for publicity purposes. This may entail, but is not limited to, sharing your story and images on social media, the NRF website, NRF publications, and press releases.