NRF Endorses Global Principles on AI and Co-Creation at GRC Annual Meeting

The NRF has officially endorsed two Statements of Principles (SoPs) at the 13th Annual Meeting of the Global Research Council (GRC): Research Management in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Co-Creation for Addressing Global Challenges. These international frameworks set the tone for how public research funders can responsibly and effectively navigate evolving global research landscapes.

Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO of the NRF, led a strategic dialogue among heads of research councils on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping research funding. “AI holds the potential to enhance core research management functions—from funding decision processes to peer review and impact evaluation. But this must be governed by principles that uphold ethics, transparency, equity and human oversight,” said Dr Nelwamondo.

The SoP on AI outlines a comprehensive framework to guide the adoption of AI in research funding. It includes principles such as promoting human decision-making; ensuring transparency and accountability; safeguarding privacy and intellectual property; and preventing bias—particularly against underrepresented research communities. It also calls for capacity-building to bridge the digital divide and responsible innovation that aligns with sustainable development.

Following thematic breakout groups on Co-Creation for Addressing Global Challenges, Dr Thandi Mgwebi, Group Executive: Business Advancement at the NRF, delivered feedback on practical strategies discussed. These include blended and pooled funding models, simplified societal impact metrics, and stronger mechanisms for policy engagement such as Fellowships and living labs. “To ensure long-term relevance and impact, co-created research must be adaptive, inclusive and grounded in real-world needs,” said Dr Mgwebi.

The Co-Creation SoP highlights the value of multi-stakeholder engagement throughout the research lifecycle—from agenda-setting to evaluation. It urges research funders to invest in equitable collaboration, interdisciplinary integration, citizen science, and governance systems that enable shared ownership and societal relevance.

Both SoPs reinforce the GRC’s commitment to fostering responsible, inclusive, and impactful research systems worldwide. They reflect months of regional consultation and collective reflection across all five GRC regions. The GRC Annual Meeting brings together heads of research councils, policymakers, and global science leaders to shape consensus on strategic priorities.

The NRF’s endorsement of these principles reaffirms South Africa’s leadership in promoting responsible science governance and innovation on a global scale.

The 13th Annual Meeting of the Global Research Council (GRC) is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The meeting is hosted by the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA) in partnership with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) from Saudi Arabia. The meeting is co-hosted by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBITAK). The NRF delegation was led by the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo.