News & Events

The National Research Foundation’s South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON) has been chosen to lead a new Ocean Forecasting Consortium that will strengthen ocean prediction capabilities across sub-Saharan Africa. The consortium is supported by a R15-million funding allocation and forms

For about 500 Grade 9 learners in Daveyton, science became more than a textbook subject on 6 October 2026. Through the Bridging Futures – Science and Role Modelling Experience for Schools programme, learners at Lesiba Secondary School were introduced to

Nearly 50 researchers from universities across South Africa stepped out of their academic comfort zones to test their ability to communicate complex scientific research in just three minutes during a science communication workshop at the 2026 NRF NGER Symposium. Held

How can countries strengthen their research and innovation systems to tackle complex societal challenges and create lasting opportunities for future generations? That question was at the heart of the conversation when policymakers, academic leaders, researchers, innovation practitioners and students gathered

The NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node, represented by Ms Nicole du Plessis, Science Officer and Ms Melissa Philander, Research Assistant, attended the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Nairobi Convention, held in conjunction with the Convention’s 40th anniversary commemoration. The Node

Astronomy has the power to spark curiosity and open new possibilities. Yet for many learners and students in South Africa, a career in the field remains out of reach. The barrier is rarely a lack of interest or ability; more

The South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON) congratulates Dr Zanele Ntshidi, its Arid Land Node Manager, and the South African National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (SANCID) for winning five awards yesterday, 14 October 2026, at the International Commission on

The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA), in collaboration with the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development Deeds Office, hosted a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) contact session for property practitioners, with the support of the National Research Foundation (NRF), in

Intent matters! This statement formed the nexus point of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Next Generation and Emerging Researchers (NGER) Symposium, which unfolded over three days in Gauteng from 07 to 09 October 2026. Emerging academics (holders of NRF research

Members of the Media are invited to join the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON) as it celebrates youth environmental stewardship, ocean literacy, and shaping scientific research at the 2026 Blue Schools Conference in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday, 14 October

Dr Nthabiseng Moshokoa, a young researcher from Mintek, has won the FameLab South Africa 2026 title and will now represent South Africa in Poland. She didn’t skip a beat at the 14th South African FameLab final, held on 5 October

A total of 250 schoolgirls were introduced to career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at the Eastern Cape Girl Global Crown Career Expo, as government and education stakeholders stepped up efforts to broaden the participation of young

On 18 September, the NRF-SAEON Graduate Student Network (GSN) 2026 event hosted a workshop in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, that asked a simple but powerful question: how can ocean and climate science reach people living far from the coast? The session was

Mathematics took centre stage in Mthatha on 19 September as 66 learners from 15 hub schools put their problem-solving skills to the test at the St John’s College Technology and Innovation Hub (SJCTIH) Maths Olympiad. The competition, held in partnership

Held from 24 to 30 September 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa’s first pilot Astronomy Olympiad Camp brought together 30 young astronomy enthusiasts from all nine provinces for a week-long programme designed to identify, develop and inspire the next generation

Recently , the National Research Foundation (NRF), in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), hosted a strategic engagement with the University of Sussex (US), Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and the British High Commission in South Africa to

Every year from 4 to 10 October, World Space Week brings people and organisations around the world together to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of space research

NRF-SAASTA joined forces with NRF-iThemba Labs and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to bring together 17 Grade 4 to 6 Natural Sciences and Technology educators for an Energy and Change Teacher Professional Development (TPD) Workshop on 19 September 2026.

More than 150 educators from across the Gert Sibande District in Mpumalanga recently benefited from an Earth and Observation Educator Development Workshop aimed at strengthening their knowledge of astronomy and atmospheric science, equipping them with practical tools to bring these

Health research presented at the 13th Annual Tshwane Health District Research Conference reached audiences beyond the conference venue through the NRF-SAASTA’s Science Promotion Digital and Multimedia Facility (SPDMF). Held on 17 and 18 September 2026 at the Tshwane Leadership and

For learners in Mbombela, Heritage Day came with more than traditional food, dance and music. It was also a lesson in science, from understanding food labels and nutrition to discovering how milk can transform into amasi and cheese. The practical

The future of South Africa’s Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) system does not begin in a laboratory or at a university. It begins much earlier when a young learner first becomes curious about how the world works and starts to

Hosted by Namibia’s National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Annual All Partners Forum was held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 28 September to 2 October 2026. The Forum was officially opened by Namibian

As the world marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on 29 September under the theme “Transformative Potential of Reducing Food Loss and Waste”, Professor Lembe Magwaza, Chair of the South Africa-Germany Bilateral Research Chair in

The National Research Foundation (NRF) will bring together South Africa’s next generation and emerging researchers, leading scholars, research institutions, industry and other National System of Innovation (NSI) stakeholders from around the country at the 2026 Next Generation and Emerging Researchers

Mintek, in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF), will host the third Mintek SCi – Science Convention for Innovators in Engineering, Science and Technology between 29 September and 02 October in Randburg, Gauteng. Held under the theme: “The Next

As we mark Heritage Day and Heritage Month, the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in the Study of the National Question explores the meaning of heritage. SARChI Chair in the Study of the National Question, Professor Rozena Maart, reflects

South Africa’s ambition to translate science, technology and innovation into commercially viable products and services took a huge step forward on 10 September 2026 when the National Research Foundation-South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) joined forces with

NRF-SAASTA has welcomed a new cohort of 14 young volunteers as part of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) National Youth Service (NYS) Programme. This initiative placed 200 young people at 94 science host institutions nationwide, enabling them

What if a simple, affordable sensor could help detect toxic metals in the water we depend on? This is the focus of research being advanced by Dr Kgotla Masibi, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Research Foundation-iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator-Based

Environmental journalists are invited to a seminar by Professor Alan Whitfield, Emeritus Chief Scientist at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), a facility of the National Research Foundation, titled “World Heritage Site, Lake St Lucia, is about to

South Africa’s most pressing policy challenges, from energy security and climate resilience to health, food security and artificial intelligence, are increasingly complex and require policy decisions grounded in credible evidence. Research is already contributing to addressing these challenges. Energy modelling,

The National Research Foundation (NRF), in collaboration with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), invites eligible institutions to submit Expressions of Interest (EoI) to host Policy Fellows as part of Cohort 2 of the DSTI-NRF Policy Fellowship Programme. The

The Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards went to two extraordinary and veteran scholars, Professor Jonathan Jansen and Professor Helen Rees. This accolade is awarded to individuals considered to have made extraordinary contributions, of international

The 2026 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards honoured South Africa’s top researchers and scientists at a prestigious ceremony held on Thursday, 03 September 2026, at the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. This year’s event was held under

Recently, the National Research Foundation-South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA), in collaboration with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), hosted an outreach engagement in Mahikeng, North West, aimed at inspiring young people to explore careers within

Aspiring citizen scientists from the local schools in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape have been recognised for contributing valuable data in the monitoring of the country’s first net-zero green building. The recognition, which formed part of the Citizen Science Day,

A joint space science public lecture, hosted by the National Research Foundation South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) at Northlink College’s Bellville Campus on 19 August 2026, sparked curiosity

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Ashley Naidoo as Managing Director of the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON), effective 1 October 2026. Dr Naidoo joins the NRF from CapeNature, where he served

At NRF-iThemba LABS, the Radiobiology laboratory is not only pushing the boundaries of cancer research but also nurturing the next generation of passionate scientists dedicated to making a meaningful difference. Meet Aobakwe Sekeleko (right) and Mmathapelo Mphelane (left), two remarkable

The2026 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards Ceremonywill take place onThursday, 03 September 2026, at theBoardwalk Hotel and Casino in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, under the theme “Building an Inclusive, Impactful and Transformed Research Future.” Members of the media are invited to