RAW 2025: From Dialogue to Action

A collective effort from all departments within the Research, Innovation, Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA)business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF) contributed to the success of the 13^th annual Research Administrators Workshop (RAW) that was held from 26 to 28 August 2025 at the ICC, Premier Hotel in East London. This year’s theme, Embracing Opportunities Towards Research Excellence and Impact, attracted 223 registered delegates from 35 universities and other funded institutions.

RAW Day 1: Funding, Administration, Capacity and Science Engagement

Dr Gugu Moche, Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer: RIISA and Group Executive for Digital Transformation, opened the workshop by reflecting on the current and past funding landscapes and acknowledging ongoing challenges and successes while highlighting opportunities for strengthening the national system of innovation. “I encourage delegates to embrace RAW as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and shared institutional learning,” she said. “I also urge delegates to reflect on key strategic questions that include bespoke interventions to address funding disparities; balance the NRF’s multiple roles; translate research into innovation; and ensure impactful funding through improved resource mobilisation in a constrained financial environment.”

Ms Pontsho Maruping, Managing Director for the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, delivered an engaging opening plenary on South Africa’s role in radio and optical astronomy. “Infrastructure development and astronomy enable humanity to advance research while building national capability in science and technology,” she said.

Said Dr Mbulelo Ncango, Executive Manager: New Generation and Emerging Researchers, in his presentation on the human capital development pipeline, “Intentional investment in researchers across all stages of their careers is of critical importance as are support for high-performing researchers and the need for pre- and post-investment support, mentorship and tailored interventions for researchers with disabilities.” He also reported on the NRF’s transformational successes.

In closing the workshop’s first day, Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia, Managing Director for the South African Agency for Science and Technology (NRF-SAASTA), said, “NRF-SAASTA’s role is to position scientists as leaders in science engagement. Our science engagement strategy addresses the need for scientists to communicate science to audiences in a relatable manner to make it accessible, trendy and relevant to real life.”

RAW Day 2: System Reliability, Sustainability, Institutional Support and Collaboration

The NRF reaffirmed its commitment to transparent communication, structured feedback and building capacity across the sector. Detailed feedback was provided regarding system improvements and enhancements that were informed by input and recommendations from stakeholders and challenges experienced by users since the previous workshop. This included an overview from the NRF’s Support Desk to emphasise its role to communicate and provide system support to internal and external stakeholders.

A panel discussion with Ms Pumza Makaula, Research Grants Manager: Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and Mr Johann du Plessis, Senior Research Support Coordinator: North West University, provided a reflection on the evolution of NRF funding processes, highlighting both the improvements that has been made through collaboration, and institutional challenges related to communication, transparency, turnaround times and funding sustainability.

A series of breakaway sessions and plenaries provided delegates with an opportunity to engage the NRF, and one another, on key themes, including:

• International grants and partnerships;
• Strategic investments, innovation and impact;
• University programmes;
• Institutional best practices; and
• Monitoring and evaluation.

This included a presentation by Dr Retha Visagie, Senior Research Management Professional: University of South Africa, on best practices in research capacity development, mentorships and developmental opportunities offered by the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), urging delegates to leverage these resources with a call to “…awaken the professional in you”.

Ms Lindiwe Booi, Designated Authority: University of the Free State, and Ms Daniela Viljoen, Chief Research Administrator: University of Zululand, also shared insights on institutional strategies for efficient and effective grants management and administration. They emphasised a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all roleplayers, with specific references to the Master Funding Administration Agreement, and active engagement with researchers and students in this regard.

RAW Day 3: Accountability, Financial and Audit Processes, Research Output Management, Group Funding and Next Generation Research Support

Mr Gerhard Moolman, Head: Data Science and Acting Executive Manager: Digital Services, demonstrated the use of institutional financial dashboards and data tools on the BI Platform, showcasing the availability of real-time information on grant statuses, grantholders and supported students, funding distribution, rating trends and related metrics. He also presented the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Research Output Submission System with its expanded templates for transformational reporting, databases for institutional submissions, and detailed unit allocations for research publication outputs.

Breakaway sessions provided an opportunity for delegates to engage the NRF on the implementation of changes to postgraduate and emerging researchers’ funding instruments. Ms Precious Nogqwazi, NRF Administrator: University of Fort Hare, shared institutional lessons and best practices on the management and disbursement of postgraduate bursaries. In the final parallel session of the event, Dr Zolani Dyosi, Executive Manager: Thematic Research Support and Advancement, and his team provided insights into new and existing thematic research programmes, the NRF rating process, and the monitoring and evaluation for consortia grants.

Said Dr Patrick Nonjola, Manager: International Grants and Partnerships, who closed the workshop, “I wish to thank delegates, NRF staff, and RIISA management for their constructive engagements. While there are recurring challenges, RAW serves as a platform for mutual accountability and shared solutions.”

Stakeholders and delegates described the event as insightful, engaging, rigorous and invaluable in the collective pursuit to elevate research management and grants administration. With the conclusion of the 2025 RAW, the NRF looks forward to building on the insights gained, deepening partnerships established during these three days of dialogue, and embracing opportunities towards research excellence and impact.