National Research Foundation (South Africa)


South Africa’s National Research Foundation is the intermediary agency between the policies and strategies of the Government of South Africa and South Africa's research institutions.
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History

It was established on 1 April 1999 as an autonomous statutory body in accordance with the National Research Foundation Act. Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Foundation of South Africa with effect from 1 April 2021. The NRF Board is chaired by Prof Mosa Moshabela.

Functions

The NRF has three main functions:
  1. to support research and innovation, through its agency, Research and Innovation Support and Advancement ;
  2. to encourage an interest in science and technology through its business unit, the ;
  3. to facilitate high-end research through its National Research Facilities
One of the NRF’s key objectives is to ensure appropriately qualified people and high-level infrastructure to produce the knowledge that makes South Africa a global competitor. Its "focus areas" are:
Unlike other Science Councils whose role is research performance, the NRF primarily fulfils an agency role, with a smaller portion of its activity allocated to actual research. Funding from the NRF is largely directed towards academic research, developing high-level human resources, and supporting the National Research Facilities, although beneficiaries include students, and private individuals or companies. KZN Literary Tourism is a project which has received funding through the NRF.

Notable Global Leaders and Experts Affiliated with the NRF

Notable academic leaders, subject-matter experts, and globally recognized figures who have contributed, and continue to contribute, to the National Research Foundation through leadership roles, research chairs, funded projects, advisory capacities, or specialized scholarly expertise. Their work spans multiple disciplines and reflects the NRF’s role in advancing world-class research, academic innovation, and international scientific collaboration.

Centres of Excellence

In 2004 the NRF founded seven Centres of Excellence, which aim to facilitate inter-disciplinary research with the aim of enhancing research and capacity building. Additional COEs have been added since: