NRF-Nominated Young Researchers Meet Nobel Laureates in Japan
Dr Lebo Gafane-Matemane from North-West University’s (NWU) Department of Physiology and Dr Ncediwe Ndube-Tsolekile, attached to the Chemistry Department at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), are attending a prestigious global academic meeting with Nobel Laureates and fellow scholars
NRF Hosting the first AJ-CORE Researchers’ Workshop, 15-17 February 2023
AJ-CORE is a partnership between the NRF and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) which aims to support joint research and innovation projects in designated fields of science between researchers from Japan, South Africa and the 17 African countries
The NRF hosts a Learning Visit of the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa
The National Research Foundation (NRF) is hosting its sister agencies from Botswana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire and Tanzania for a learning visit during 13 – 14 February 2023. The visit provides the opportunity to cross-share
NRF-Sasol Announcement: Awards for Research Chairs and Postdoctoral Innovation Fellowships
Johannesburg, South Africa – Sasol Ltd and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are pleased to announce the establishment and awarding of four jointly-funded South African Research Chairs. A competitive call was launched during 2022 for two Chairs that considered the
Congratulations to Dr Nishana Bhogal
The NRF wishes to congratulate Dr Nishana Bhogal on her recent PhD graduation. Dr Bhogal was funded under the Fulbright South Africa Foreign Student program as a Visiting Student Researcher (VSR), in collaboration with the NRF, from 2021 to 2022.
South Africa Admitted to the International Human Frontier Science Program
In January 2023, South Africa was admitted as a member of the International Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) following a competitive application process. The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) will serve as joint
The NRF Condemns the Killing of UFH Executive Protection Officer
The National Research Foundation (NRF) adds its voice to the condemnation of the most recent attack on leadership at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) and the subsequent death of Mr Mboneli Vesele, the executive protection officer for the Vice-Chancellor
Wits physicist elected as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences
Wits physicist, Professor Bruce Mellado has been elected as a Fellow of the African Academy of Science (AAS) in November. Mellado’s election is based on a series of reviews conducted at various levels following his nomination to the AAS in
African Science Granting Councils and Partner Meetings call for enhanced research funding, research impact and collaboration
“The gathering of the African Science Granting Councils (SGCs) and our Partners on the occasion of the World Science Forum (WSF) 2022 highlighted the need for us as SGCs to continue strengthening efforts to enhance research and granting systems in
NRF Announces Appointment of New Board Members
The NRF is pleased to announce that the Minister of the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the Honourable Dr Blade Nzimande, pursuant to Section 6 of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Act (Act 23 of 1998 as amended)
PERKA Guidelines Launched at High-level Convening on Early-career Researcher Development in the Post-PhD Phase
Peer-Learning for Emerging Researchers’ Knowledge and Advancement (PERKA) was a joint participatory research project focusing on support provided to early-career researchers in the post-PhD phase in Africa. Funded jointly by the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY) and the National
NRF and JST co-host the funders meeting for Africa-Japan collaborative research programme (AJ-CORE)
The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) co-hosted an Africa-Japan Collaborative Research Programme (AJ-CORE) Funders’ Meeting on the margins of the World Science Forum in Cape Town, on 8 December 2022.
Open Science Day
The Africa Open Science Platform (AOSP) in partnership with UNESECO hosted the Open Science Day on 7 December 2022, along the World Science Forum. Speaking during the event, Dr Philemon Mjwara, the Director-General of the South African Department of Science
Beyond 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: SARChI Chair, Professor Deevia Bhana, comments
Turning the tide against socio-economic injustices, patriarchy and cultural norms that propagate certain forms of masculinity, as well as young women rethinking their ideologies about love and relationships, would go a long way toward ending gender-based violence in South Africa,
Innovation for Development: SGCI-funded Projects in Africa
The inaugural Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI) academic symposium took place on 6 December as part of the ongoing African Science Granting Councils and Partner Meetings in Cape Town. The SGCI has facilitated the funding of over
Africa’s Funding Councils Meet for Impact
Participating councils of the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI) deliberated on progress, focus and initiatives to advance research and innovation since the SGCI was established. Participating in the SGCI’s Annual Forum held parallel to the World Science
The NRF Hosts Strategic Meetings to Advance Research Partnerships in Africa
The National Research Foundation (NRF) will host the African Science Granting Councils and Partner Meetings during 4-8 December 2022 in Cape Town in parallel to the World Science Forum (WSF) hosted by South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).
The Numerical Weather Prediction and Geographic Information System Training Workshop for SADC
Plotting its way to leave weather and climate forecasting “suitcase science” behind, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is improving its high-performance computing (HPC), numerical weather prediction (NWP), and geographic information system (GIS) infrastructure and expertise. HPC is an
The NRF extends its condolences to the family and friends of Professor Carolina Odman
The NRF extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Professor Carolina Odman, one of South Africa’s distinguished astronomers. Carolina passed away on 15 November 2022, after years of valiantly battling an aggressive cancer. Carolina was the wife
The numerical weather prediction and geographic information system training workshop for SADC
Extreme weather is listed as the second most severe risk on a global scale over the next 10 years in the Global Risk Report 2022 of the World Economic Forum. The use of early warning systems can assist with mitigating
Pre-Launch Announcement: International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
On Friday, 11 November 2022, the National Research Foundation (NRF) working with a consortium of research funders from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, announced a pre- launch of the International Joint
NRF Announces Global Knowledge Partnerships Opportunities for 2023
The National Research Foundation (NRF) is pleased to announce the implementation of its Global Knowledge Partnerships (GKP) programme for the 2023 academic year. The programme places exceptional Doctoral students, postdoctoral Fellows and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) who are funded by
NRF-iThemba LABS advances training and development
The iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (NRF-iThemba LABS) is counting the days before it hosts its first workshop as an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Collaborating Centre. This workshop is organised to train member states of the IAEA in
Science Communication Comes Under the Spotlight
Science communication, a field all about informing and educating the public as well raising awareness about scientific work, came under the spotlight at the 2022 Nobel Inspired Lecture. Speaking to the theme “Science Communication & Media as a Catalyst for
The National Research Foundation To Host SRI2023 Africa Satellite Event
The Future Earth Africa hub, supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a Sustainability Research and Innovation (SRI2023) Africa satellite event. The SRI2023 satellite events are live hybrid engagements that take
Researchers Discuss Strengthening of Scientific Collaboration Between Europe and Africa
Over 60 esteemed researchers from African and European countries have concluded a workshop in which they discussed ways to strengthen international collaboration. Themed “Strengthening scientific collaboration between Europe and Africa”, the workshop was held at the Future Africa Campus of
One year of implementing the O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chair in Research and Action against Cancer
In October 2021, Prof Olga Lompo and Prof Samira Ouédraogo officially started implementing research and training activities under the O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative (ORTARChI) at Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo (UJKZ) in Burkina Faso, the first ever research chair awarded
Call for Expression of Interest: Establishment of the African Open Science Platform (AOSP) Regional Nodes
This call for expressions of interest is to solicit applications to host regional nodes for the African Open Science Platform (AOSP) in five African Regional and Economic Communities (RECs) – namely at the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East
O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chair in Technology Entrepreneurship and Youth Employability
The research chair hosted at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana and awarded to Prof Nathaniel Boso was launched on 13 October 2022. The launch was officiated by the KNUST university leadership with representation from the
The NRF and HSRC sign historic Memorandum of Agreement
Pretoria, South Africa: The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) concluded an historic Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Thursday, 13 October 2022 to support research and research support activities in the humanities and social sciences.
Sasol-NRF Hosts the first Energy Transition Research Summit
Energy transition presents an opportunity for stakeholders in various sectors to respond to energy, socio-economic and environmental challenges in a sustainable and inclusive way. In response to the need to develop practical research programmes and partnerships to support South Africa’s
NRF participates in global review of sex, gender, and diversity analysis
During 2020/2021 the NRF participated in a Global Review of Sex, Gender, and/or Diversity Analysis (SG&DA) in Research Policies of Major Public Granting Agencies, a research project led by Dr Lilian Hunt (Wellcome Trust), Prof Mathias Wullum Nielsen (University of
SAAO Telescopes observe the first successful redirection of an asteroid
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that the orbital period of the asteroid Dimorphos around its parent asteroid Didymos has successfully been altered after it impacted with the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft at 1:14am SAST
Young Scientists Summer Program
Annually, from 1 June to 31 August, IIASA hosts up to 50 doctoral students from around the world in its Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP). If you are an advanced graduate student, take your research to the next level and
Leading the Way in African Pharmaceutical Sciences to Produce 21st Century Medicines
The NRF congratulates Professor Yahya Choonara (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3889-1529) on his winning the 2022 FIP Distinguished Pharmaceutical Science Award from the Bureau of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) (https://www.fip.org/who-we-are) in recognition of his outstanding research and significant contributions to the pharmaceutical sciences
The NRF congratulates Dr Nompumelelo Obokoh on her appointments
Dr Nompumelelo Obokoh, Chairperson of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Board, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), effective 01 October 2022. SACNASP is the regulatory body for natural
The NRF congratulates Dr Phethiwe Matutu
The National Research Foundation (NRF) wishes to congratulate Dr Phethiwe Matutu on her appointment as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Universities South Africa (USAf), with effect from 03 October 2022. Dr Matutu, a mathematician by discipline, served as the
NRF-iThemba LABS brings world-class researchers together in Cape Town
The 28th International Nuclear Physics Conference (INPC2022) was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), South Africa from 11 to 16 September 2022. The event was hosted by Dr Faïҫal Azaïez (National Research Foundation’s iThemba LABS) and Prof
Smith Memorial Lecture: Launch of the Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean
NRF-SAIAB is delighted to invite you to the official launch of the online/digital version of this seminal 5-volume publication on the diversity of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) at NRF-SAIAB’s annual Smith Memorial Lecture on 29 September 2022 at 6pm
Nobel Laureate stresses meaningful collaboration in his “The Road to a Nobel Prize” lecture.
Dr Art McDonald, the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics recipient, has stressed the importance of academics choosing their research collaborators well. Dr McDonald delivered a special National Research Foundation (NRF) Science for Society Lecture at the University of Pretoria’s Future
Italy-South Africa: New agreement signed between the National Research Foundation-iThemba LABS and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics
A new agreement to strengthen the collaboration between South Africa and Italy in the field of nuclear physics and its applications was signed on Monday, 12 September 2022, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa. The interests of
Young People and Relational Wellbeing in 12 Countries in the Global South
The Swiss philanthropy, Fondation Botnar, has recently partnered with South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) and Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) to develop a research programme on young people and relational wellbeing (YPRWB). The programme will focus on 12 countries
Nordic Semiconductor backs South African Consortium of Air Quality Monitoring
The South African Consortium of Air Quality Monitoring (SACAQM) today announces that Nordic Semiconductor—a specialist in ultra-low power wireless technology that powers the IoT—is throwing its support behind the consortium with the provision of development kits, samples and technical expertise.
The Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Member Organisation (SSARMO) – Using systems approach to respond to regional challenges and
IIASA has increased its membership footprint through its newest member, the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Member Organisation, as part of a regional approach to participation in IIASA research and capacity building activities. The first regional member of the International Institute for
2022 NRF Awards Honour and Celebrate South Africa’s Top Researchers and Scientists
The National Research Foundation (NRF) honoured a number of South Africa’s prolific scientists in Cape Town on Thursday, 1 September, in a ceremony celebrating the ‘International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development’. Viewed as the benchmark for research excellence,
NRF Women’s Month 2022: Dr Mary-Jane Bopape
Women’s Month 2022 is celebrated under the theme of “Generation Equality: Realizing women’s rights for an equal future” and links to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5) of Gender Equality by 2030. In celebrating Women’s
NRF Women’s Month 2022: Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia
Women’s Month 2022 is celebrated under the theme of “Generation Equality: Realizing women’s rights for an equal future” and links to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5) of Gender Equality by 2030. In celebrating Women’s
NRF Women’s Month 2022: Dorothy Ngila
Women’s Month 2022 is celebrated under the theme of “Generation Equality: Realizing women’s rights for an equal future” and links to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5) of Gender Equality by 2030. In celebrating Women’s
NRF Women’s Month 2022: Pontsho Maruping
Women’s Month 2022 is celebrated under the theme of “Generation Equality: Realizing women’s rights for an equal future” and links to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5) of Gender Equality by 2030. In celebrating Women’s
NRF advancing women in science
Fast-tracking gender transformation and equity in academia is one of the grand mandates of the National Research Foundation (NRF). It is in this light that, as South Africa marks Women’s Month, the NRF shares some of the milestones it has