National Research Foundation of South Africa

National Research Foundation of South Africa
Abbreviation NRF
Formation April 1, 1999
Legal status Foundation
Purpose Funding and research in South Africa
Region served
 South Africa
Official language
 English
President
 Dr. Albert van Jaarsveld
Website www.nrf.ac.za

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

It was established on 1 April 1999 as an autonomous statutory body in accordance with the National Research Foundation Act. Dr. Albert van Jaarsveld serves as the Acting President and CEO of the NRF. The NRF Board is chaired by Professor Belinda Bozzolli.

Functions

The NRF has three main functions:

  1. to support research and innovation, through its agency, Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA);
  2. to encourage an interest in science and technology through its business unit, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA);
  3. to facilitate high-end research through its National Research Facilities (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity; Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory; iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences; South African Astronomical Observatory; Hermanus Magnetic Observatory; National Zoological Gardens of South Africa)

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.

See also

External links