Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The Science Diplomacy Awards recognise individuals and organisations that strengthen science-based international partnerships, policy cooperation, and global scientific collaboration. The SFSA 2026 Awards honour contributions across science advice, international STI partnerships, African regional cooperation, young science diplomats, women in science diplomacy, and science communication. Nominations are open to South African and non-South African citizens, but self-nominations are not allowed.
Overview
The Science Diplomacy Awards recognise leadership in using science, technology, and innovation to build international partnerships and strengthen cooperation across borders.
The awards honour individuals and organisations whose work connects science, diplomacy, policy, society, communication, and international collaboration.
The SFSA 2026 Awards are open to nominees from different sectors, including science, policymaking, business, civil society, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and media.
Purpose of the Awards
The purpose of the awards is to recognise outstanding contributions to science diplomacy and international scientific cooperation.
The awards highlight work that places science at the service of society, builds global friendships, supports policy advice, strengthens partnerships, and advances science-based solutions to shared challenges.
They also celebrate inclusive leadership in science diplomacy, including young science diplomats and African women advancing the field.
Key Focus Areas
The awards focus on science diplomacy, science advice, international science, technology and innovation partnerships, African regional cooperation, STI collaboration, science for society, policy advisory work, young science diplomats, women in science diplomacy, science communication, media engagement, international cooperation, professional ethics, scientific integrity, and global scientific partnerships.
What the Awards Recognise
The Science Diplomacy Awards recognise significant contributions that connect science with international cooperation and societal benefit.
Recognised contributions may include:
- Science advice with national and global relevance
- International STI partnerships
- African regional cooperation and integration
- Career-long service to science and society
- Science-based international friendships
- Excellence in global STI partnerships
- Young leadership in science diplomacy
- African women advancing science diplomacy
- Science engagement through communication and media
- Partnerships involving South Africa and international stakeholders
- Contributions to policy advisory communities
- Work that strengthens global scientific cooperation
Award Categories
The awards cover several areas of science diplomacy and international cooperation.
Science Advice
This category recognises contributions to science advice that connect national and international policy spheres.
It honours work that helps decision-makers use scientific evidence in ways that support society and international cooperation.
International STI Partnerships
This category recognises efforts that promote international partnerships in science, technology, and innovation.
Particular attention is given to partnerships involving South Africa and global collaborators.
African Regional Cooperation
This category recognises contributions that advance African regional cooperation, integration, and scientific collaboration.
It highlights work that strengthens Africa’s role in science diplomacy and shared development.
Career-Long Contributions to Science Diplomacy
This category honours individuals whose career-long efforts have placed science at the service of society and fostered international friendships.
It recognises sustained commitment, leadership, and long-term influence.
Excellence in International STI Partnerships
This category recognises specific international STI partnerships that demonstrate global excellence.
It may include partnerships that have delivered measurable scientific, societal, policy, or diplomatic value.
Young Science Diplomats
This category recognises young science diplomats under the age of 40.
It celebrates emerging leaders who are already making meaningful contributions to science diplomacy and international cooperation.
Women in Science Diplomacy
This category honours outstanding African women who are advancing science diplomacy.
It recognises leadership, visibility, influence, and contribution to international scientific cooperation.
Science Engagement, Communication and Media
This category recognises contributions to science engagement through communication and media.
It highlights efforts that make science more visible, accessible, understandable, and connected to society.
Who Can Be Nominated?
Eligible nominees may include individuals or organisations working in areas related to science, technology, innovation, policy, diplomacy, communication, and society.
Nominees may come from sectors such as:
- Science
- Policy-making
- Business
- Civil society
- Non-governmental organisations
- Private sector
- Media
- Science communication
- Research institutions
- Policy advisory communities
- International partnerships
The awards are open to both South African and non-South African citizens.
Nominee Expectations
Nominees should demonstrate significant contributions to science diplomacy, science-based international cooperation, or science-policy engagement.
They should also uphold the highest standards of:
- Professional ethics
- Scientific integrity
- Inclusive practice
- Respectful collaboration
- Public service
- International cooperation
Nominees should show how their work has strengthened science, technology, innovation, diplomacy, policy, or societal connections.
Inclusivity and Equal Opportunity
The awards are committed to inclusivity and equal opportunity.
Nominees are considered regardless of:
- Race
- Colour
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
- Gender
- Nationality
- Creed
- Age
- Disability
- Institutional affiliation
This commitment helps ensure that contributions from diverse people, organisations, and communities are recognised.
Nomination Rules
Nominations must follow the programme rules.
Key nomination rules include:
- Self-nominations are not allowed
- Only one nomination per category may be submitted per nominee
- Each motivation statement must be no longer than 600 words
- Nominations should clearly explain the nominee’s contribution
- The selected category should match the nominee’s work
- The nominee should demonstrate relevance to science diplomacy or STI cooperation
Nominators should ensure that all nomination information is accurate, focused, and complete.
Why It Matters
Science diplomacy helps countries, institutions, researchers, and communities work together on shared challenges.
It supports evidence-based policy, international partnerships, regional cooperation, public trust, and societal benefit.
The Science Diplomacy Awards matter because they recognise people and organisations that use science to build bridges across borders, sectors, and communities. By highlighting these contributions, the awards encourage stronger cooperation between science, policy, diplomacy, and society.
How to Nominate
Nominators should prepare a clear nomination that explains the nominee’s achievements, impact, and relevance to the selected award category.
Step 1: Choose the Most Relevant Category
Select the category that best fits the nominee’s contribution.
The category should reflect the nominee’s strongest area of impact, such as science advice, STI partnerships, African regional cooperation, young science diplomacy, women in science diplomacy, or science communication.
Step 2: Confirm Nominee Eligibility
Check that the nominee is eligible and that the nomination follows the rules.
Self-nominations are not permitted.
Only one nomination per category may be submitted per nominee.
Step 3: Describe the Contribution
The nomination should clearly explain what the nominee has done.
This may include:
- Building international science partnerships
- Providing science advice
- Supporting STI cooperation
- Advancing African regional collaboration
- Promoting science for society
- Strengthening science communication
- Supporting inclusive science diplomacy
- Leading policy or partnership initiatives
Step 4: Explain the Impact
A strong nomination should show why the nominee’s work is important.
Impact may include:
- Stronger international partnerships
- Better science-policy cooperation
- Regional scientific integration
- Public engagement with science
- Improved international understanding
- Advancement of STI collaboration
- Support for societal benefit
- Visibility for young leaders or women in science diplomacy
Step 5: Write the Motivation Statement
Each motivation statement must be no longer than 600 words.
The statement should be concise, specific, and evidence-based.
It should explain the nominee’s achievements, leadership, ethics, impact, and alignment with the award category.
Step 6: Submit the Nomination
Submit the nomination with the required nominee details, selected category, motivation statement, and any supporting information required by the awards process.
Selection Considerations
Nominations are likely to be assessed based on contribution, relevance, impact, integrity, and alignment with the award category.
Key assessment areas may include:
- Contribution to science diplomacy
- Promotion of international STI partnerships
- Impact on policy, society, or international cooperation
- Advancement of African regional cooperation
- Demonstrated leadership
- Career-long or emerging influence
- Excellence in partnership building
- Science communication and public engagement
- Commitment to professional ethics
- Scientific integrity
- Inclusivity and equal opportunity values
Tips for a Strong Nomination
A strong nomination should clearly show why the nominee deserves recognition.
Nominators should:
- Select the most accurate award category
- Avoid general praise without evidence
- Give specific examples of achievements
- Explain the international or diplomatic value of the work
- Highlight measurable or visible impact
- Show how the work connects science with society
- Mention partnerships, policy influence, or public engagement
- Keep the motivation statement within 600 words
- Demonstrate professional ethics and scientific integrity
- Avoid submitting multiple nominations in the same category for one nominee
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common mistakes include:
- Submitting a self-nomination
- Choosing the wrong category
- Exceeding the 600-word motivation limit
- Submitting more than one nomination per category for the same nominee
- Providing a vague description of the nominee’s work
- Not explaining the science diplomacy relevance
- Missing evidence of international cooperation
- Ignoring the nominee’s impact on society or policy
- Failing to show professional ethics or scientific integrity
- Submitting a nomination that reads like a general biography instead of an award case
FAQ
1. What are the Science Diplomacy Awards?
The Science Diplomacy Awards recognise individuals and organisations that strengthen science-based international partnerships, policy cooperation, and global scientific collaboration.
2. Who can be nominated?
Individuals and organisations from science, policymaking, business, civil society, NGOs, the private sector, media, and related sectors may be nominated.
3. Are non-South African citizens eligible?
Yes. The awards are open to both South African and non-South African citizens.
4. Are self-nominations allowed?
No. Self-nominations are not allowed.
5. How many nominations can be submitted per category?
Only one nomination per category may be submitted per nominee.
6. What is the motivation statement limit?
Each motivation statement must be no longer than 600 words.
7. What types of contributions are recognised?
The awards recognise science advice, international STI partnerships, African regional cooperation, career-long science diplomacy contributions, young science diplomats, women in science diplomacy, and science engagement through communication and media.
Conclusion
The Science Diplomacy Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that use science, technology, innovation, policy, and communication to strengthen international cooperation. The SFSA 2026 Awards recognise contributions across science advice, STI partnerships, African regional cooperation, career-long service, youth leadership, women in science diplomacy, and science engagement. Nominators should submit focused, evidence-based nominations that clearly show the nominee’s impact, ethical leadership, scientific integrity, and contribution to science diplomacy.
For more information, visit SFSA.