Blade Nzimande to Address 25th National Research Foundation Awards at Sun City

The NRF, an entity under the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), plays a pivotal role in funding research, developing high-end human capacity, and providing critical research infrastructure across all disciplinary fields.

Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, is set to address the prestigious National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards at the Sun City Resort in North West on Thursday. This year’s ceremony holds special significance as it marks 25 years of the NRF's efforts in promoting research, innovation, and partnerships aimed at building an inclusive, knowledge-based society in South Africa.

The NRF, an entity under the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), plays a pivotal role in funding research, developing high-end human capacity, and providing critical research infrastructure across all disciplinary fields. The annual NRF Awards are a highlight of the academic calendar, bringing together leading figures from both local and international academia to celebrate groundbreaking research conducted at South Africa’s higher education institutions.

The awards are presented in two main categories. The first is the special awards category, which recognizes extraordinary contributions to South Africa's knowledge base. This year, the finalists include three DSI-NRF Centres of Excellence: Human Development, Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, and Biomedical TB Research.

The second category is the NRF ratings-based awards, which are determined by a rigorous peer review process evaluating the research impact of nominees over the past five years. Researchers receive ratings based on their standing in their respective fields, categorized as A (leading international researchers), B (internationally acclaimed researchers), C (established researchers), P (prestigious awards), or Y (promising young researchers).

"Each year, several researchers have their research output peer-reviewed and are given ratings by the NRF," the DSI said in a statement. These ratings acknowledge the world-leading nature of their work and their contributions to their respective fields. An A rating is awarded to researchers recognized by their peers as leading international scholars, based on the high quality and impact of their recent research output.

Additionally, the P rating is given to researchers who demonstrate exceptional potential during their doctoral and early post-doctoral careers, indicating that they are likely to become future international leaders in their fields. Both A and P-rated researchers will be honored at this year’s NRF Awards.

This year’s event not only celebrates the individual achievements of South African scientists but also underscores the NRF's commitment to advancing research that contributes to the country's development and global standing.