NRF, The Netherlands and France Broaden Collaborations at GRC Meeting

The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the Dutch Research Council (NWO) held a high-level bilateral meeting during the 13th Global Research Council (GRC) Annual Meeting, which runs from 18 to 22 May 2025 and is hosted by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh.

The meeting was led by Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO of the NRF, and Professor Marcel Levi, President of the NWO. The delegations reviewed ongoing collaboration and identified new opportunities to deepen their strategic partnership.

Discussions focused on the possible expansion of the successful NRF-NWO Bilateral Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Programme into a regional initiative involving Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in sub-Saharan Africa countries, as well as strengthening the SA–Netherlands Universities Network.

The partners also discussed enhancing joint work on open science, recognising its importance in promoting inclusive, transparent, and impactful research. There was mutual interest in aligning this agenda with broader priorities, including South Africa’s Presidential PhD Initiative and academic exchange programmes. Key thematic areas for future collaboration were identified, including the just energy transitions, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, sustainable mining, and food-water-health systems.

The engagement reaffirmed the importance of long-term partnerships in addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development through science.

The NRF and ANR Discuss Global Challenges

Dr Nelwamondo also held a bilateral meeting with the French National Research Agency (ANR), represented by Director General Dr Claire Giry, during the 13th Global Research Council (GRC) Annual Meeting in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting focused on advancing collaboration in strategic areas including innovation, just energy transitions, biotechnology, digital learning, and sustainability in food, water, and health systems. Discussions highlighted the importance of joint efforts to address global challenges through knowledge sharing, co-investment, and research excellence.

The NRF and ANR also reflected on their cooperation through multilateral initiatives such as Horizon Europe and the Belmont Forum, reinforcing the value of bilateral partnerships in shaping international science diplomacy.

Since 2015, the NRF has maintained a strategic cooperation agreement with three leading French research institutions—IRD, CNRS, and CIRAD—to enhance collaboration between the two countries and the broader Southern African region. The partnership has supported over 250 South African researchers and students to conduct research in France, fostering long-term, multi-year projects—some of which have developed into International Research Laboratories. Renewed in 2020, the agreement outlines cooperation across key areas such as climate change, biodiversity, agriculture, marine and space sciences, health, artificial intelligence, and social sciences. A strong emphasis is placed on capacity building, particularly for early-career researchers.

The engagement with ANR reaffirmed a shared commitment to deepen scientific cooperation and identify new opportunities for collaboration that contribute to inclusive and sustainable development.

For more information contact Dr. Nokuthula Mchunu , International Collaborative Research Grants (ICRG), np.mchunu@risa.nrf.ac.za.