The Presidential PhD Programme: From Doctoral research to innovation impact

As part of the National Research Foundation’s participation at South African Innovation Week 2026, the Presidential PhD Programme (PPHP) was featured in a panel session titled From Doctoral Research to Innovation Impact on 18 March 2026. The Presidential PhD Programme is a strategic joint initiative of the Presidency’s Office, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET); the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI); and the National Skills Fund (NSF) with the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the implementing agency.

The session was moderated by Ms Keitumetse Sepeng, Administrator at the NRF, who guided the conversation on how Doctoral research can be better supported to move beyond academic outputs toward meaningful societal and economic impact.

Setting the scene and facilitating the panel session, Ms Refilwe Mashigo, an NRF Senior Specialist, provided an overview of the Presidential PhD Programme, positioning it as an innovative model designed to strengthen collaboration among academia, government, and industry.

A central theme of the discussion was the need for a more collaborative and integrated approach to funding and research support. Dr Koena Motloi, Director, NRF, said, “The programme presents an opportunity to move away from fragmented funding models toward a more coordinated pipeline that brings together academic, government, and industry partners.”

The discussion further emphasised the importance of supporting researchers across the full innovation value chain. Dr Keabetswe Ncube, a postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Johannesburg and Founder of Kea Ncube Agri Services, said “Innovation requires dedicated support from the early stages of idea development through to research, commercialisation, and community engagement. This end-to-end approach creates opportunities for researchers to contribute to both economic growth and social transformation while positioning them as innovators and problem-solvers.”

From a structural perspective, Mr Nelson Komane, Professional Officer at the NRF, underscored that the consolidation of efforts across government, industry, and other funders is a key differentiator of the programme. “By sharing responsibility for funding and supporting Doctoral research, this model strengthens knowledge transfer and increases the potential for research to translate into real-world applications,” he said. “Doctoral students, upon their completion are also encouraged to enrol into existing programmes such as NRF’s freestanding postdoctoral fellowship to retain them within the NSI.”

The panel also highlighted the need for a shift in how doctoral success is defined. Said Mr Mark Johnson, the NRF’s Principal Intellectual Property Officer, “The key element is a mindset shift—your PhD is an opportunity not only to produce academic excellence but also to produce products and impact. This includes developing products, influencing policy, and ensuring that research outcomes contribute meaningfully to society.”

The discussion ultimately pointed to a broader challenge within South Africa’s innovation landscape—while research output remains strong, there is still a gap in the systems and support needed to translate research into impact and innovation. Addressing this requires stronger partnerships, coordinated investment, and a deliberate focus on commercialisation and innovation support. The session reaffirmed the importance of building an enabling ecosystem where researchers are not only funded but are also equipped with the tools, networks, and opportunities needed to turn knowledge into innovation that benefits society.

Going forward, the programme will be implemented through a hubs-and-nodes model to support the training of Doctoral candidates across five selected thematic areas. Participants were encouraged to visit the Presidential PhD Programme website (https://presidentialphd.co.za) for further information, updates, and opportunities for collaboration as the programme rollout progresses.

The South African Innovation Week is a national platform that brings together leaders from government, academia, industry, and the startup ecosystem to showcase innovative ideas, technologies, and collaborative models that contribute to South Africa’s economic and technological advancement.