2

The NRF aims to uphold excellence in all its investments, be it in

knowledge, people and/or infrastructure. We want to contribute to the

quality of life of all the people of South Africa by promoting research,

developing the human capacity pipeline, and by supporting research

infrastructure and research institutions. The NRF supports people

and projects that search for sustainable solutions to the problems

facing society.

3

CORPORATE OVERVIEW

Promote and support research

through funding, human resource development and the provision of

the necessary research facilities

in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and

development in all fields of science and technology,

including indigenous knowledge

and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all the

people of the Republic

NRF Act, No 23 of 1998

NRF Mandate - NRF Act

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NRF Core Competencies

• Grant management systems

• Peer evaluation processes and systems

• Strategic and research information management &

dissemination systems

• Providing research platforms

• Science and technology management expertise

• Specialised research capacity

• Catalyst for local and international research collaboration

• Science advancement expertise and platforms

6

NRF Vision 2015 Progress

7

Details on progress per business division are provided in the Annual Performance Plan (APP).

NRF Vision 2015 Progress

8

• Details on progress per business division are provided in the Annual Performance

Plan

NRF Strategic Environment

• National Research and Development Strategy 2002

• 10-Year Innovation Plan 2012

• DHET funding framework - transformational goals

– Equitable student access; quality of teaching and

research; student progression rates; equity in allocation

of government funds; efficiency & effectiveness of use of

funds

12 outcomes of government

9

We will…

track the throughput of NRF-funded students.

NRF Strategic Environment

DST performance areas

DST & NRF performance areas

Indirect NRF contribution through funded research 10

Curiosity-driven research Needs/market-driven research

Public appropriability

Development Commercialisation Open research Directed research

Agency - Core Grant

National Research Foundation (NRF) THRIP

Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)

National Research Facilities

Product

development

Technology

development

Applied

research

Basic

research Commercialisation

Public appropriability Wealth creation

Innovation System Value Chain

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NRF Investment (Grand Challenges)

12

NRF Investment (Grand Challenges)

Geographical and/or research advantage

13

NRF Investment (Grand Challenges)

14

Geographical and/or research advantage for Astro/Geoscience areas excl SKA

NRF Investment (Grand Challenges)

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Geographical and/or research advantage for Astro/Geoscience areas

Cutting Edge Research Platforms (Equipment)

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NRF Sources of Income 2013/14 to 2015/16

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• The NRF funding level for 2013/14 is set to increase by 4.6%

• Funding includes ring-fenced allocation for Global Change Science Plan

implementation (R 64 mil) and the SKA SA project (R300 mil)

• Figures include only the confirmed funding for the MTEF period as at 31 January 2013

NRF Total Expenditure 2013/14

18 Special projects: ICSU ROA, Internship Programme and RIMS

NRF Investment Principles

• Balance between strategy-driven and demand-driven

investment approach

• Competitive, merit-based funding for all types of funding

applications

• Investment takes transformation imperatives into account

• Fairness, transparency and accountability apply in

investment processes

• Appropriate investment choices are made to ensure efficient

service delivery

• NRF invests in the rotation of expertise and talent within the

NSI

• PhD is regarded as an important systems driver 19

NRF Savings, Efficiencies & Continuous Improvement

• Leverage economies of scale by negotiating rates with suppliers

• Cost saving through automated processes such as NRF Online Submission

System and Workflow for SCM

• Video conferencing to reduce travel costs and improve connectivity

• Benchmarking of organisational overheads against similar organisations

• Implementation of the staff plan is in progress

• 5-year review recommendations are being implemented

• Student tracking system is underway

• RISA Renewal

• National facilities’ sustainability plans, e.g, NZG, SAIAB, SAAO, SAEON

Baseline allocation is set to increase by 4.6% for 2013/14

and the following initiatives are being implemented:

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HUMAN RESOURCES

NRF Staff Plan

The Human Resource plan includes:

• The implementation of the RISA Renewal strategy

• Implementation of the staff plan and the succession plan in

dealing with sustainability and transformation issues

• Driving employment equity and transformation toward our

employment equity plan (2015)

• Newly launched Management Development Program (MDP)

in partnership with the University of Stellenbosch over the

next 3 years

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DIVISIONS OF NRF - RISA

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The Ministerial Guidelines for improving equity in the distribution of

DST/NRF bursaries and fellowships (January 2013) gives an indication of

the suggested demographic targets and the level of investment for this

purpose. RISA will factor these guidelines into the decision-making

processes for the 2013/14 funding cycle. Going forward, the NRF will also

announce increased bursary values.

RISA Income

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Human Capacity Development Excellence

Pipeline

26 • Figures include only the confirmed funding for the MTEF period as at 31 January 2013

RISA Human Capacity Development Funding

Trends

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Next Generation Researchers

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2009/10

Actual

2010/11

Actual

2011/12

Actual

2012/13

Target

2013/14

Target

2014/15

Target

2015/16

Target

BTech/

Hons 1 696 2 718 1 700 1 950 3 196 3 414 3 500

Masters 2 373 3 566 2 820 3 390 4 677 4 671 4 700

Doctoral 1 384 1 937 1 519 1 715 2 645 2 665 2 680

Post

Doctoral 304 405 381 390 690 690 700

Number of students supported by the NRF

Next Generation Researchers

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• Targets have been based on only the confirmed funding for the MTEF period as at

31 January 2013.

Emerging Researchers and Cross Cutting Investments

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Cross Cutting Instruments

Established Researchers

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National Equipment Programme

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Once-off top

up grant for

infrastructure Research

Infrastructure

Support

Programme

Scaled down

RISA Performance Targets

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RISA Performance Targets (continued)

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RISA Challenges, Mitigation and Opportunities

• It is a requirement of RISA to be client-centric:

– The RISA Renewal Strategy will address the issue of client-centricity,

efficiency and continuous improvement

• Management of the funding constraints within RISA

– Development of the Scaling up the R&D Enterprise and Funding

Framework in order to increase input into the overall funding baseline

– Engagement between NRF, DHET and DST to improve the alignment

across the system

– Discussions by NRF, DST and National Treasury to leverage additional

funds has led to a funding injection in the 2010/11 financial year. New

funding will also be received for HCD in the next financial year.

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SCIENCE ADVANCEMENT

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SAASTA Income

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Science Advancement Developments - 2013/14

• Repositioning within NRF

(more strategic role

across business units)

• Framework for a public

engagement strategy

(draft submission to DST)

• Strengthening of science

communication initiatives

in partnership with HEI’s,

science councils and

industry

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• Setting the public engagement agenda with science centres,

HEIs, science councils and other partners

• Continued development of Science Advancement platforms:

– Johannesburg Observatory

– NZG Life Sciences Centre

• Coordination of science advancement activities at National

Research Facilities (astronomy cluster collaborations

redefined)

• Coordinate tracking system (s) for student interventions –

impact assessment

• Strengthen international collaborations (exchange of skilled

resources)

• Reduce number of contracts

Science Advancement Developments - 2013/14

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Science Advancement KPIs

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• The estimated targets are based on the confirmed contract and MTEF funding for

the period as at 31 January 2013.

The NRF and DST, in consultation with stakeholders, will…

advise on the optimal positioning, running and funding of

Science Advancement across the NSI.

Science Advancement Challenges, Mitigation and

Opportunities

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• Legislative gap

– Revisions to NRF Act

• National Strategy Development

– On-going discussions and framework development with DST

• Investment Framework

– NRF Scaling Up the Research Enterprise

• National Platforms

– Johannesburg Observatory, NZG Life Science Centre. Funding challenges for

infrastructure development

• Research investment in public engagement of science (impact studies, large scale

surveys on public attitudes, cohort studies, audience analysis, media monitoring

and analysis)

– Research Chair in science communication announced

• Contract driven environment

– still need to improve core funding baseline

• National drive to market science

– MZANSI for Science Project

develop an

infrastructure

investment plan for

the National

Research Facilities.

NATIONAL RESEARCH

FACILITIES

National Research Facilities Structure

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National Research Facilities Income (excl SKA)

44

National Research Facility KPIs

45

The NRF will…

consider the appropriate placement of the National Research

Facilities and will identify a mindful, phased approach to any

changes that will be in the national interest.

National Research Facility Equipment Grants

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• 75 year celebration of the re-

discovery of the Coelacanth

• Progress on the SKA MeerKAT

construction

• SALT science fully operational

• iTHEMBA Collaboration with NECSA

• SAEON collaboration with National

Parks

Facility Highlights

47

National Research Facilities Challenges, Mitigation and

Opportunities • Limited national skills base

– Postdoc deployment (bursary vs job creation)

– SKA on-the-job training

– PDPs in strategic areas

– Student training

• Ageing equipment and infrastructure amidst advancing

technologies – Implement infrastructure plan

– Manage to minimise disruptions in operations

– Prioritise resource commitments to sustain projects

• Access to, and use of, facilities – Promote collaboration between HEIs and facilities

• Evolving new National Facilities – Infrastructure roadmap

– Foresight exercise

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CONCLUDING REMARKS

Conclusion

• Overall growth in NRF funding – reflects positively on South

Africa’s prioritisation of research and innovation within the NSI.

• Grant making streamlined through joint planning by the NRF

and DST.

• Scaling up the R&D Enterprise and Funding Framework

developed.

• Science advancement requires an overarching national

strategic framework to elevate its impact.

• Strategic positioning of the National Research Facilities is

ongoing which includes future planning (roadmap and foresight

exercises). 50

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Strategic Investments

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