National Research Foundation (NRF) participated in the Peer-Learning for Emerging Researchers Knowledge Advancement Programme Phase II (PERKA II) Stakeholder Convening

The National Research Foundation (NRF) participated in the Peer-Learning for Emerging Researchers Knowledge Advancement Programme Phase II (PERKA II) Stakeholder Convening, held from 14–15 April, followed by the African Early Career Researchers (AECR) Workshop on 16 April 2026. Both events were held at the University of Ghana in Accra and focused on the advancement of sustainable post-PhD support mechanisms for early career researchers (ECRs) across Africa.

The convening brought together early career researchers, policymakers, funders and university leadership representatives to engage on strengthening collaborative support systems. Insights were shared from case studies under initiatives such as the Building a New Generation of Academics in Africa (BANGA) and Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) programmes, which examined how post-PhD investments shape both individual researchers and broader research ecosystems.

The NRF was represented by Ms Refilwe Mashigo of RIISA: Business Advancement and Mr Lebogang Mpetle of RIISA: International Grants and Partnerships, who highlighted the organisation’s existing portfolio of programmes and future plans to support emerging researchers, including the Future Earth Africa Hub and the Presidential PhD Programme. Mr Mpetle shared upcoming opportunities for ECRs, one of which was the support available to participate in the Sustainability Research and Innovation conference in June 2026, in South Africa, which features dedicated efforts to strengthen ECR engagement and visibility.

Reflecting on the NRF’s approach, Ms Mashigo noted “Growing the next generation of researchers requires sustained and expanded investment. That is why the NRF is actively engaging partners—across government, the private sector, and internationally—to mobilise additional resources.”

This perspective is reinforced by the NRF’s recent launch of a report which looked at funding gaps for mid-career researchers in South Africa, and highlighted systemic discontinuities in the research pipeline that emphasise the need for more coherent, lifecycle-based funding interventions.

“If we are serious about excellence and impact, then scaling support for early career researchers is non-negotiable,” added Ms Mashigo. She further emphasised the need to strengthen funding systems by supporting mid-career researchers, ensuring continuity across funding streams, and recognising research potential beyond past outputs.

PERKA II is co-funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the NRF. It is implemented by the NRF in collaboration with the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.