Deadline: 15-Jun-2026
The National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards recognise outstanding South African researchers, teams, and institutions for excellence in scientific research, public engagement, mentorship, and societal impact. The awards celebrate contributions across STEM fields, research capacity development, and innovation that benefits both academia and society.
Funding ranges from R75,000 to R500,000 depending on the award category, and nominations must be submitted through NRF-recognised institutions via the NRF Connect system.
What Are the NRF Awards?
The NRF Awards are national recognition programmes designed to:
- Celebrate research excellence in South Africa
- Strengthen institutional and global research reputation
- Promote scientific innovation and leadership
- Encourage public engagement with research
- Support transformation and capacity building in academia
Award Categories
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognises:
- South African citizens or permanent residents
- Researchers with internationally recognised contributions in STEM fields
- Individuals with strong societal impact through research
- Affiliations with NRF-recognised institutions
Funding:
- R500,000 for research-related activities
Public Engagement with Research Award
This category honours researchers who:
- Actively engage the public with science
- Use innovative outreach methods
- Collaborate throughout the research lifecycle
- Engage rural and marginalised communities
- Demonstrate measurable engagement impact
Eligibility:
- Employed at NRF-recognised public research institutions
- Must submit NRF-funded or recently completed projects (within 3 years)
Funding:
- R75,000
Hamilton Naki Award
This award recognises:
- Black South African researchers overcoming structural or socio-economic barriers
- Strong internationally acknowledged research achievements
- Active researchers at NRF-recognised institutions
Funding:
- R200,000
Research Excellence Award – Next-Generation Researchers
This award supports:
- NRF-funded doctoral students
- Full-time PhD candidates at South African public universities
- Strong research outputs and publications
- Emerging research potential
Funding:
- R75,000
Research Excellence Award – Early Career Researchers
This category recognises:
- NRF grant holders
- Researchers who completed PhD within the last 8 years
- Emerging independent researchers
- Strong academic output and research excellence
Funding:
- R75,000
Champion of Research Capacity Development and Transformation Award
This award recognises:
- Researchers mentoring Black postgraduate students
- Strong supervision of master’s and doctoral students
- Contribution to transformation in higher education
- Successful student research outcomes
Funding:
- R300,000
Science Team Award
This category recognises:
- Interdisciplinary research teams
- Major scientific breakthroughs
- Strong societal and international impact
- Teams from South African public research institutions
Funding:
- R500,000
NRF Societal Impact Award
This award honours:
- Research teams, centres, or units
- Demonstrated real-world societal impact
- Achievements in social, environmental, economic, or innovation outcomes
- NRF-funded research with measurable external impact
Funding:
- R500,000
Who Can Submit Nominations?
Eligible submitting institutions include:
- NRF-recognised universities
- National research facilities
- Science councils
- Higher education institutions
Important rules:
- NRF rating is not mandatory
- All nominees and nominators must be registered on NRF Connect
- CVs must be fully updated in the system
- Nominations must be submitted through institutional authorised representatives
Key Eligibility Requirements
Nominees must:
- Be South African citizens or permanent residents (where applicable)
- Be affiliated with NRF-recognised institutions
- Demonstrate research excellence or impact based on category requirements
- Meet category-specific academic or professional criteria
How to Apply / Nominate
- Confirm eligibility under the relevant award category.
- Prepare nomination documents and supporting evidence.
- Ensure nominee and nominator are registered on NRF Connect.
- Update CVs on the NRF system.
- Submit nomination through a recognised institution.
- Follow institutional approval and submission procedures.
Tips for Strong Nominations
- Highlight measurable research impact and outputs
- Provide strong evidence of innovation and excellence
- Demonstrate societal or international relevance
- Include clear documentation of achievements
- Align nomination with category-specific criteria
FAQ
Who manages the NRF Awards?
They are managed by the National Research Foundation of South Africa.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from R75,000 to R500,000 depending on category.
Who can apply?
Researchers, teams, and institutions affiliated with NRF-recognised organisations.
Is NRF rating required?
No. NRF rating is not mandatory.
Can students apply?
Only in the Next-Generation Researchers category for NRF-funded PhD students.
Conclusion
The NRF Awards celebrate excellence across South African research, recognising individuals and teams who contribute to scientific advancement, social impact, mentorship, and innovation. The programme strengthens national research capacity while promoting global recognition of South African science.
For more information, visit NRF.