NRF Attends NMU Postdoctoral and Research Fellows Symposium

The National Research Foundation (NRF) attended the formal launch of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Postdoctoral and Research Fellows Society, which coincided with the NMU Postdoctoral and Research Fellows Symposium, from 03-04 March 2026 at the Southern Sun The Marine, in Gqeberha, South Africa.

The NRF was represented by Ms Edith Shikumo, Acting Manager: Emerging Researchers, who participated in a session entitled Unlocking Research Funding Opportunities for Postdoctoral and Emerging Researchers. She also shared insights on various NRF funding opportunities and strategic priorities for postdoctoral and emerging researchers. Said Ms Shikumo, “The NRF places considerable importance on the Postdoctoral Fellowships that provide a comprehensive training, development and mentorship programme for the establishment of an independent researcher involved in engaged research.” She also provided attendees at the launch with more information focused on NRF funding instruments, its strategic priorities, and guidance to the postdoctoral Fellows and emerging researchers on positioning competitive applications.

In his opening remarks at the Symposium, Prof Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, stated, “NMU urges postdoctoral Fellows not to see themselves as temporary visitors in the academic space but as a strategic investment in the research eco-system. Postdoctoral Fellows are catalytic nodes for knowledge creation”.

Dr Priscilla Mensah, Director: Research Development at NMU, echoed the same sentiments, “Postdoctoral and research Fellows play a vital role in strengthening South Africa’s research and innovation system by contributing new knowledge, mentoring postgraduate students, and expanding the country’s research capacity. In 2024, 122 fellows at NMU produced 133 DHET-accredited peer-reviewed journal publications; delivered 66 podium presentations; authored 32 book chapters and 23 technical reports; supported 163 postgraduate students; and submitted 25 research funding proposals. These contributions illustrate the central role that postdoctoral scholars play in advancing research excellence, building the next generation of researchers, and strengthening the national knowledge economy.”

Added Ms Shikumo, “Whilst the system grapples with the precarious nature of the postdoctoral Fellowship due to little to no job security, poor compensation and an unclear path to a permanent post; limited career progression; and the casualisation of academic labour, if utilised well, the period could lead to the exposure of broader areas of research and development including raising science awareness, development of research policies and building academic networks. In this light, we hope that the formation of the Postdoctoral and Research Fellows Society will yield tangible resolutions to the issues faced by postdoctoral Fellows in collaboration with other partners and funding bodies in the national system of innovation.”

Similarly, in its Vision 2030 document, the NRF recognises the research workforce as the country’s’ greatest workforce and is alive to the challenges faced. To address these challenges and given the need to invest scarce resources in a directed manner to deliver the desired impact, NRF funding targets postgraduate students and postdoctoral Fellows who intend to pursue an academic or research career and continues to develop and implement targeted interventions for postdoctoral Fellows and early career researchers to develop into a future cohort of leading scholars.