The 2026 NRF Next Generation and Emerging Researchers Symposium

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is the biggest funding agency that supports next generation and emerging researchers. Over the years, until 2017, it hosted a number of national symposiums and forums for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows. These initiatives and forums played a key role in providing a platform for engagements, academic and grant writing, publication, ethical research, research collaboration, networking and professional development opportunities. Furthermore, these allowed for valuable feedback from the NRF stakeholders and beneficiaries on improving the service culture of the organization. In October 2026, NRF will be hosting the third of the newly reconceptualized Next Generation and Emerging Researcher Symposium, which will occur on an annual basis.

The aim of the symposium will be to provide the next generation and emerging researchers funded by the NRF with a platform that offers varied opportunities for networking, creating local and global workforce connections, knowledge exchange, sharing the latest groundbreaking insights on topics of their interest and thought-provoking research projects in relation to the NRF’s 2030 vision “research for a better society” and aligned to the thematic areas in the DSI decal plan. The objectives of the symposium are to develop and support the next generation and emerging researchers through the following: One-stop-shop clearing house; Encouraging Innovation and Impact; Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange; Mentorship; Providing a Platform for Science Communication; and Leadership and Strategic Direction in Research.

The 2026 symposium is expected to bring together a diverse group of up to 300 delegates, featuring the next generation and emerging researchers funded by NRF, stakeholders from South African universities and across NSI, along with senior NRF executives, A and B-rated NRF researchers, industry leaders who will provide invaluable support. The target audience will be the emerging researchers (i.e., postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other researchers in the early stages of their careers) and undergraduate students interested in postgraduate studies and/or seeking to explore research/networking opportunities.

The NRF is thus inviting all Doctoral Students, Postdoctoral Fellows and Early Career Researchers currently funded by the NRF, to submit applications (incl. abstracts) for the symposium to be hosted by the NRF on 06 – 09 October 2026 in Boksburg. The application template is designed to provide the applicant with an opportunity to present the information that is required and will be assessed (Table 1). The sections of the application will require information on the following:

• Abstract that describes the topic to be presented at the symposium,
• Impact of the applicant’s research study; and
• Motivation to participate in the symposium and respective expectations.

All eligible applications will be reviewed by the Organising Committee, and approved applicants will be formally approved and accepted as Participants/Speakers to present an oral and/or poster at the symposium. The applications received will be reviewed against the set evaluation criteria described in Table 1.