NRF Annual Performance Plan- Final Draft18.indd

Postal Address:

Box 2600

PRETORIA

0001

South Africa

Phone numbers: +27 (0)12 481-4000

Fax number: +27 (0)12 349-1179

General email address: [email protected]

2014/15-2016/17Annual Performance Plan

01

It is hereby certified that this Annual Performance Plan:

• Was developed by the management of the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the guidance of the NRF Board;

• Takes into account all the relevant policies, legislation and other mandates for which the NRF is responsible; and

• Accurately reflects the strategic outcome-oriented goals and objectives which the NRF will endeavour to achieve over the period 2014–2017 (with a particular focus on 2014/15) covered by the plan.

Mr Bishen SinghChief Financial Officer

Dr Albert van JaarsveldChief Executive Office

Prof Robin CreweNRF Board Chairman(Accounting Authority of the NRF)

Mr Derek HanekomMinister of Science and Technology(Executive Authority of the NRF)

02 NRF Annual Performance Plan 2014/15-2016/17

CEO’s Statement

have been a pervasive theme throughout the pursuit of all the MDG’s. As such, at the UN Rio+20 Summit in 2012, the world’s governments agreed to develop a set of universal Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on the MDGs. The SDGs have been described as being “… for people and planet”, as they consider the anthropogenic impact on the Earth system and take cognisance of the combined impact on social, environmental and economic spheres, within the broader context of solving the challenges set out in the SDGs.

In parallel, a Science and Technology Alliance for Sustainability constituted by international partners of global science research funding and UN organisations launched Future Earth, a new ten-year international research initiative that will develop transdisciplinary knowledge in response to the identified risks and opportunities of global environmental change (see page 6).

It is evident that discipline-specific research alone will not provide sustainable solutions to global environmental and social challenges. However, by engaging society, industry, academia and political structures, the partnerships created across the disciplines of the natural, social, and applied sciences and the humanities and law will provide holistic knowledge generation with a view to implementable sustainable solutions.

Global TrendsThe year ahead is one of review and reflection as countries globally take stock of their performance against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). With barely a year to the 2015 deadline, commendable achievements have been noted in the areas of infant mortality with a drop from 12 million annual infant deaths in 1990 to seven million in 2011. In addition, the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day has halved. However, it is clear that environmental considerations have not received the warranted attention.

A vibrant Earth system is a prerequisite for a sustainable solution to the MDGs and should

Current members of the Alliance include, inter alia, the International Council for Science (ICSU), the International Social Sciences Council (ISSC) and the Belmont Forum (see page 56).

In Support of Global TrendsIn line with global trends, the NRF has invested in global sustainability and social dynamics through the support of the DST’s Grand Challenges. Over the period 2008 to 2014, the NRF invested a total of R1,439bn in discipline- specific research around global change, energy security, human and social dynamics, biodiversity and the bio-economy.

This investment culminated in the creation of five centres of excellence for bio-medical, biotechnology, epidemiology, and biodiversity research. These innovative collaborative platforms have yielded cutting-edge research in response to the challenge of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) and the spread of infectious diseases like TB, malaria and HIV-AIDS, tackling the vexing questions of invasive species and biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service retention amidst expanding economic activity.

Five research chairs were created under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in the area of human and social dynamics and energy security. There has also been investment in global collaborative opportunities such as the International Barcode of Life (iBOL).

PROGRAMMES

03

In view of the success of these initiatives, the DST has committed an additional R1,163bn over the next three years in support of these thematic investments. Considering the holistic approach to knowledge generation in support of solutions to global challenges, the NRF will initiate discussions with the relevant sectors to promote the development of transdisciplinary approaches to the DST’s Grand Challenges.

The NRF is committed to supporting national participation in the development and adoption of the SDGs as well as the countries’ active participation and contribution to Future Earth, one of the biggest science initiatives launched at a global scale ever. In line with this commitment, the NRF provides the secretariat to the Belmont Forum through the Knowledge Fields Development (KFD) Directorate while the NRF CEO currently serves as the Co-chairman of the Belmont Forum. The International Relations and Collaboration (IRC) directorate together with the ICSU Regional Office for Africa (also supported by the NRF) are exploring ways in which South Africa and the rest of the African continent can participate in the Future Earth secretariat.

Working towards ImpactIn the final year of the NRF Vision 2015 strategy, the organisation will continue to ensure that its strategic investments in the National system innovation (NSI), and specifically the higher education sector, are aligned to DST and government priorities, including the National Development Plan (NDP).

During the 2014/15 financial year, the organisation will invest R2,528bn through the various RISA funding instruments, which are

directed at human capacity development, the provision of cutting-edge research infrastructure, knowledge generation, and internationalisation and collaboration.

A further R580m will be invested in the National Research Facilities, while SKA SA will receive R770m for MeerKAT construction activities.

Preparing for the FutureAs our country prepares for its fifth democratic election, we stand at the beginning of a new era. In the year ahead, the NRF will take stock of its accomplishments and its performance against the NRF Vision 2015 strategic plan, in preparation for the development of the next strategy for the period until 2015 and beyond.

The NRF has contributed to a vibrant NSI through its dual role, as a policy implementation agent on the one hand, and a research performer on the other. This uniquely positions the organisation as a catalyst for change as governments entrenches the outcomes of the NDP and the Rio decisions in support of Future Earth and the development and adoption of SDGs.

Three years ago, the NRF created the cross-cutting Science Engagement Corporate division in recognition of the roles of science engagement and science communication in the achievement of the NRF’s strategic goals at an organisational level, and the contribution to the strategies for building self-sustaining, wealth-generating science and technology sectors at a national level. Science communication and science engagement will play a crucial role in galvanising society in the future as a contributor, partner and beneficiary of transdiciplinary solutions to

global challenges.

In addition, the RISA renewal campaign has resulted in the ongoing restructuring of the Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA) division. The RISA matrix configuration aims to seamlessly support customer-centricity and increased efficiency in support of more effective grant-making machinery.

These structural changes have placed the organisation in a position to tackle the challenges of the year ahead knowing that the enabling business structures within the organisation support the expansion of goals and the development of strategy in line with the NRF mandate.

ConclusionThe pace and magnitude of human-induced global change is currently racing ahead beyond our control and manifests in threats to the planet, society and human well-being. There is an urgent need for the holistic development of transdisciplinary knowledge that could inform and shape responses to threats and facilitate progress towards sustainable development goals.

Simply put, if social development is the goal, the ecological sustainability provides the boundary conditions, and economics is the tool. (From a presentation by Thomas Rosswall,

2013, Future Earth)

CONTENT

NRF Annual Performance Plan 2014/15-2016/17

1. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 07

1.1 NRF Vision 2015 07

1.2. NRF Mission 07

1.3. NRF Values 07

PART A: STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 07

1.4. Strategic Outcome Oriented Goals (2014/15-2016/17) 08

2. LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER MANDATES 09

2.1. Contributors to the NRF Mandate 09

2.2. Service Delivery Environment 10

2.3. Prominent Partners in the Delivery Environment 10

2.4. Policies Impacting the Delivery Environment 11

3. ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT 20

3.1. Organisational structure 21

3.2. Accountability Structure of the NRF 21

4. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 2014/15 BUDGET AND MTEF ESTIMATES 22

4.1. Budget and Sources of Income 22

4.2. Three-year projection of the NRF 2014/15–2016/17 MTEF allocation 23

4.3. NRF investment principles 23

4.4. Savings and efficiency measures 23

4.5. Detailed budgets 23

4.6. Abridged Projected Financial Statements (2014/15–2016/17) 26

4.7. NRF Long-Term Infrastructure Plan 27

PART B: PROGRAMME PLANS 29

5. PROGRAMME 01: CORPORATE 31

5.1 Programme Structure 31

5.2. Objectives and Indicators 32

5.3. Finance and Business Systems 33

5.4. Human Resources and Legal Services 38

5.5. Corporate Relations 40

6. PROGRAMME 02: SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT 43

6.1. Science Engagement Structure 43


6.3. Science Engagement 46

7. PROGRAMME 03: RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SUPPORT AND ADVANCEMENT (RISA) 53

7.1. RISA Structure 53

8.4. PROGRAMME 04: National Research Facilities: Biodiversity, Environment and Nuclear 91

8.5. PROGRAMME 05: National Research Facilities: Astro Geosciences 103

9. NRF PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 113

9.1. NRF Performance Indicators According To Strategic Goals 113

9.2. Balanced Scorecard Approach 115

10. NRF SUPPORTING POLICY FRAMEWORK 116

10.1. The NRF Supporting Policy Framework 116

11. CONTACTS 117

12. LIST OF ACRONYMS 118

7.2. Sources of Funding 55

7.3. Investment into the Human Capacity Development Excellence Pipeline 56

7.4. Funding Instruments in Support of the Human Capacity Development Excellence Pipeline 58

7.5. RISA Investment in Infrastructure 63


7.7. Plans to Meet Objectives 65

7.8. Special Projects 85

8. NATIONAL RESEARCH FACILITIES 87

8.1. Structure and Grouping 87

8.2. Organisation Structure 87

8.3. General Activities of the National Research Facilities 88

Future Earth is a ten-year international research initiative that recognises that humanity is an integral part of the dynamics and interactions of the Earth System and therefore directly affects global sustainability.

The initiative aims to generate high-quality knowledge through the integration of disciplines from the natural, social (including economic and behavioural), engineering and human sciences. Future Earth will mobilise thousands of scientists in global collaborations, while strengthening partnerships with governments, policy-makers, industry stakeholders and the public, in order to generate knowledge in support of sustainable decision making with

regard to global challenges.

The initial research themes that will be the main organisational units for Future Earth research are expressed as a set of three broad and integrated research themes. These are: • Dynamic Planet - understanding how

planet Earth is changing due to natural phenomena and human activities;

• Global Development - providing the knowledge for addressing the most pressing needs of humanity: sustainable, secure and fair stewardship of food, water, biodiversity, energy, materials and other ecosystem functions and services; and

• Transformations towards Sustainability - providing the knowledge for transformation towards a sustainable future: understanding transformation processes and options, assessing how these relate to human values and behaviour, emerging technologies, and economic development pathways, and evaluating strategies for governing and managing the global environment across sectors and scales.

ht tp: / /www. icsu.org/ future-ear th/who/engagement-committee ht tp: / /www. icsu.org/ future-ear th/who/governance/future-earth-science-committee

A

PART A: SRATEGIC OVERVIEW

07

PART ASTRATEGIC OVERVIEW

07

1.1 NRF Vision 2015

The vision of the NRF is to promote and support the realisation of world-class research that contributes to the ideal of a transformed society, and a sustainable environment. In short the vision is:• World-class research;• A transformed society; and• A sustainable environment.

The NRF was established through

the National Research Foundation

Act (Act No. 23 of 1998). As an

independent statutory agency,

the NRF promotes and supports

research. It also conducts research

at, and provides access to, the

National Research Facilities. The NRF

provides funding and services to the

research community through the

higher education institutions (HEIs)

with a view to generating knowledge

and promoting high-level research

capacity development.

The NRF is also involved in diverse

science advancement activities to

stimulate public engagement in

science across a broad front.

1.2. NRF mission

To contribute to the knowledge economy in South Africa by attaining at least 1% of global research and development (R&D) output by 2015.

1.3. NRF values

In support of achieving its objectives, the NRF has adopted a set of values, as shown in Figure 1.

1. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

Figure 1: Values of the NRF

Passion for

Excellence

Account-ability

Ethics and Integrity

People Centred

NRFValues

World-class

Service

Respect

PART A


1.4. Strategic outcome-oriented goals (2014/15-2016/17)

The NRF adopted the following broad strategic goals as part of Vision 2015. See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Strategic goals of the NRF

A Prosperous and

Sustainable African

Landscape

Human Capital

Development

Evaluation and

Grant-Making Systems

Research and

Innovation Platforms

Competitive Research

Vibrant NSI

• The promotion of internationally competitive research as the basis for a knowledge economy;

• The growth of a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa;

• The provision of cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms;

• The operation of world-class evaluation and grant-making systems; and

• Contribution to a vibrant national innovation system.

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

09

2. LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER MANDATES

Developing human capital

NRF core activities

Engaging society with science

Providing and promoting the use

of science and technology infra-

structure

Promoting and supporting knowledge

generation and application in areas of strategic importance

A skilled and capable workforce to support an

inclusive growth path within a knowledge economy based on

research, development and innovation

Broader access to post-secondary education

and an improved higher education throughput

rateNAT

ION

AL

IMP

ER

ATIV

ES

Building strategies and support programmes for research, development and innovation in the

private and public sectors

Focusing on sectors with the potential to develop

long-term advanced capabilities such as Nuclear Sciences,

Advanced Materials and Aerospace

Staying abreast of global technological trends

and fully exploiting the country’s comparative advantages, including the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs)

Figure 3: NRF alignment with national imperatives

The NRF receives its mandate from the National Research Foundation Act (Act No. 23 of 1998). According to Section 3 of the Act, the objective of the NRF is to:

“…promote and support research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of research including indigenous knowledge, and thereby contribute to the

improvement of the quality of life of all the people of the Republic.”

The APP for the 2014/15 to 2016/17 financial years has been prepared on the basis of the current legislative and other mandates.

2.1. Contributors to the NRF mandate

The organisation prioritises activities aligned with the 12 Outcomes of Government, the New

Growth Path (NGP), the National Development Plan and the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP2). The NRF Annual Performance Plan also addresses issues raised in the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for 2010–2015, ‘Together Doing More and Better’. The NRF serves as a facilitator in the delivery of significant national objectives as set out in Figure 3.

PART A


2.2. Service Delivery Environment

The responsibilities of the NRF in the National System of Innovation (NSI), are outlined in the White Paper on Science and Technology, ‘Preparing for the 21st Century (1996)’.

In terms of the NRF Act (Act No. 23 of 1998), the organisation plays a dual role in the NSI. As a value-adding agency, the NRF translates the policies and strategies of government and facilitates implementation within the research-performing institutions. In this function the NRF funds and guides the system according to the

relevant policies implemented within its sphere of influence.

The National Research Facilities within the NRF are research performers that conduct and facilitate research, while providing infrastructure platforms for research in areas of priority and/or where South Africa has a knowledge and/or geographic advantage.

Figure 4 is a schematic of the structure of the NSI and outlines some of the major role-players as adapted from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development‘s

(OECD) mapping of the system in 2007.

In addition, the NRF coordinates science advancement activities within the organisation and provides assistance across the NSI. Refer to Section 6 on page 43.

2.3. Prominent partners in the delivery environment

The NRF has a network of partnerships that supports its mandate and strategy. Figure 5 represents the prominent partnerships within the public and private sectors.

Level 1: High-level policy

Government Advisory: CHE, NACI, ASSAf

Level 2: Ministry

DST DHET the dti DoE DMR NDA DoH DAFF DEA National Treasury

Other Departments

Level 3: Agency

NRF DC SANERI MRC WRC

TIA/BRICs SEDA

Level 4: Research and Innovation Performers

NRF HEIs SABS NECSA Mintek ARC MRC SAWS Business Enterprises

HSRC Council for Geoscience MCM

CSIR SANBI

AISA

SANSA

Figure 4: The South African science landscape (adapted from OECD, 2007)

* Definitions of acronyms are available on page 118

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

11

Figure 5: Prominent partners in the delivery environment

PRESIDENCYDEPARTMENT OF

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

OTHER PUBLIC SECTOR PARTNERS

PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS

At the apex of government, the Presidency coordinates the implementation of a national strategic agenda and enhances the integrity of the state.The NRF is working with the Department for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in order to evaluate the dti’s technology programmes including THRIP, SPII and STP.

The NRF is aligned with the planned policy initiatives of the DST, in terms of human capital development; global and African collaboration; research and development; innovation; andinfrastructure development.

Department of Trade and Industry

Department of higher education and training

Department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries

Other Institutions• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs);• Science Councils;• Council on Higher

Education (CHE); and• Higher Education South Africa (HESA).

Around 300 private companies are co-funding partners in THRIP projects.

At least 5 key energy sector companies are partners in programmes related to energy supply security.

Some of the NRF partners are: AREVA, Eskom and Harmony Gold.

2.4. Policies impacting the delivery environment

The most significant policies impacting the delivery environment are:• The Ten-Year Innovation Plan and the

Grand Challenges facing South Africa and the world including global change and bio-economy.

• The National Research and Development Strategy (NRDS) and the requirement for publicly funded research to leverage indigenous knowledge and geographic advantage areas including astronomy and palaeosciences.

The NRF supports these areas indirectly, through the Human Capacity Development Excellence

Pipeline which aims to address the needs of various categories of researchers but also from basic to applied research and beyond. The NRF employs specific funding instruments within the context of the Excellence Pipeline in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the organisation which include human capacity development; research infrastructure provisioning; and knowledge generation.

PART A


While these instruments are primarily a means of driving the strategic objectives of the organisation, they are simultaneously aligned to the DST’s Grand Challenges as well as the identified areas of indigenous knowledge and geographic advantage in line with the NRDS.

2.4.1. Ten-Year Innovation Plan of 2007

The Ten-Year Innovation Plan identified South Africa’s Grand Challenges in science and technology as Bio-economy, Space Science and Technology, Energy Security, Global Change, and Human and Social Dynamics. The annual investment in the Grand Challenges (including space science and Technology) has

grown at an average rate of 31%, year on year from R337m in 2010/11 to R961m in 2013/14. Over the MTEF period, an additional R2,779bn will be invested. A summary of the NRF’s investment trends and commitments over the MTEF period (excluding space science and technology), are indicated as Figure 6.

The NRF recognises the significance of knowledge generation in these priority areas and is committed to growing vibrant research and collaboration in these areas.

Figure 6: NRF Investments in priority areas identified in the DST Ten-Year Innovation Plan

Bio-economy Energy Security Global Change Human and Social Dynamics

2010/11 Actual 38.8 8.3 43.2 19.3

2011/12 Actual 41.1 12.1 57.0 36.9

2012/13 Actual 40.6 34.9 99.7 60.8

2013/14 Estimate 45.5 116.1 141.2 73.4

2014/15 Budget 39.8 83.8 103.1 71.1

2015/16 Budget 41.8 85.1 108.0 70.7

2016/17 Budget 43.9 86.0 110.5 70.7

R m

illio

n

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

13

Sustainable development…“We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors;

we borrow it from our Children” – Ancient Native American proverb

2.4.2. National Research and Development Strategy (NRDS)

The National Research and Development Strategy (NRDS) of 2002 emphasised the importance of knowledge areas where South Africa has an obvious or potential geographical advantage and/or where South Africa has a clear and established advantage in knowledge. The NRF invests in the ethos of the NRDS through the National Research Facilities and through focused investments within the Research and Innovation Support and Advancement Agency (RISA).

The NRF leverages the local geographical and knowledge advantages through the following initiatives: • Human palaeontology supported

through the African Origins Programme (AOP);

• Antarctic research supported through the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP); and

• Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), supported through the DST/NRF IKS programme specifically in the areas of food and health, education and curriculum development.

The NRF makes investments in the area of Biodiversity through the SARChI programme by establishing research chairs and through the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Invasion Biology, Birds as Key Indicators of Biodiversity, and the Tree Health programme.

The following National Research Facilities play an active role in this area:• South African Institute for Aquatic

Biodiversity (SAIAB); • South African Environmental

Observation Network (SAEON); and • National Zoological Gardens (NZG).

NZG Biobank South African Biosystematics Initiative (SABI)

African Coelacanth Ecosystem

Programme (ACEP)

International Barcode of Life Project (iBOL)

Collaboration with the South

African Network for Coastal and

Oceanic Research (SANCOR).

Figure 7: Biodiversity programmes and collaborations

PART A


The NRF makes further contributions through participation in the programmes and collaborations set out in Figure 7.

Figure 8 is a summary of the investment trends aligned to the NRDS since 2010/11, including projections over the 3-year MTEF period. There is a significant projected decline in investment (13%) in the 2014/15 financial

year. However, the funding commitment in this area will grow at an average rate of 3% in the remaining two years of the MTEF period. This will amount to a total investment of R413m over the MTEF period.

In line with a decision by the Minister of Science and Technology, the NRF has set up a programme specifically to support the creation of an Astronomy Sub-Agency, which includes the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) and

the SKA SA project. The aim of this initiative is to ensure stable and sustainable growth of the Astronomy cluster within the NRF.

The Northern Cape region of the country provides ideal conditions for radio and optical astronomy. In order to continue to leverage

this unique advantage, and in line with the NRDS, the NRF will continue to invest in the following initiatives:• National Astronomy and Space Science

Programme (NASSP);

Figure 8: Investment trends and budget estimates (2010–2017) - Geographic and knowledge advantages (excluding Astronomy)

Palaeosciences Antarctic researchIndigenous Knowledge

Systems (IKS)Biodiversity

2010/11 Actual 13.4 18.0 5.4 74.7

2011/12 Actual 8.2 12.8 8.9 83.7

2012/13 Actual 9.0 15.0 10.8 90.6

2013/14 Estimate 27.5 17.6 19.3 90.1

2014/15 Budget 23.7 16.0 14.8 79.6

2015/16 Budget 23.7 16.0 15.1 82.7

2016/17 Budget 23.7 16.0 15.3 86.7

R m

illio

n

100

70

80

90

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

15

• Astronomy research chairs as part of the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI); and

• Infrastructure investments in order to enhance research, for example the SAAO will set up a 1m optical telescope, and a 12m radio telescope for Geodetic Very

Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) will be constructed at HartRAO.

Over the MTEF period, the investment in astronomy excluding SKA will be R308.4m i.e. R102m on average year on year.

Figure 9 is an indication of the level of investment in astronomy, excluding the SKA SA project, since the 2010/11 financial year.

Figure 9: Investment trends and budget estimates (2010–2017) - Astronomy (excluding SKA SA)

SALTSAAO excluding

SALTAstronomy

Research Chairs

National Astronomy and Space Science

Programme (NASSP)

HCD for Multi-Wavelength

Astronomy (MWLA)Total

2010/11 Actual 17.0 57.0 2.0 5.0 3.0 85.0

2011/12 Actual 19.0 62.0 7.0 6.0 2.0 97.0

2012/13 Actual 18.0 55.0 8.0 7.0 2.0 90.0

2013/14 Estimate 20.0 69.0 8.0 5.0 2.0 103.0

2014/15 Budget 21.0 68.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 107.0

2015/16 Budget 22.0 61.0 9.0 6.0 4.0 102.0

2016/17 Budget 23.0 58.0 10.0 6.0 4.0 100.0

R m

illio

n

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

PART A


Figure 10 indicates the investment in the SKA SA project as a national priority, which will continue to grow. Between 2010/11 and 2013/14, an investment of R1,159bn was made in the SKA SA project. Over the MTEF period, the project will receive an additional R1,551bn.

2.4.3. Risks in the Delivery Environment

Some risks in the delivery environment that could impact on the delivery of the NRF include:• Lack of coordination with various

institutions and departments in the sector, which could impact delivery against the government outcomes;

• Shortage of appropriate human resources to feed into the higher education and research environment;

• Insufficient funds leveraged for research, research capacity development and research infrastructure provision;

• Inability to attract and retain excellence in research and innovation at South African universities; and

• Ineffectiveness in driving transformation while growing a knowledge economy that will generate and translate existing and new knowledge into socio-economic benefits.

Although not under the direct control of the NRF, these risks are closely monitored and where feasible, the system is positively influenced by the management of the NRF.

Figure 10: Investment trends and budget estimates (2010–2017) - SKA SA (construction of

KAT7 and MeerKAT)

SKA project (Construction of KAT-7 and MeerKAT)

2010/11 Actual

2011/12 Actual

2012/13 Actual

2013/14 Estimate

2014/15 Budget

2015/16 Budget

2016/17 Budget

R m

illio

n

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

148186

345

480431

532

588

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

17

Transformation and recognition of performance excellence

The Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Derek Hanekom, had the following to say: “We are privileged to have an academic and scientist of Prof Nyokong’s stature in our National System of Innovation. She is an exceptional role model and her outstanding work in training the next generation of chemists, especially women chemists, contributes to ensuring that our country remains at the cutting edge of scientific development. The many accolades that she has received are testimony to the fact that she is a world-class scientist, with whom we are proud to be associated.”

Professor Tebello Nyokong is the first South African scientist to win the L’Oréal-UNESCO award for women in science. As a professor at Rhodes University, she is an A-rated researcher who holds the DST/NRF South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology. She is also a director of the DST-Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre. Prof Nyokong has inspired and transformed lives and made ground-breaking discoveries through her research in an industry traditionally believed to be less accessible to women. In the 20 years that she has been at Rhodes, she has supervised 75 MSc, PhD and Postdoctoral students. Prof Nyokong has also been extensively involved in assisting staff and students from less advantaged universities. “I want them to be NRF-rated and I want to see a lot of research activity. That’s what knowledge production is about,” she said. As the 2013 recipient of the NRF Lifetime Achievement Award, she has been recognised for her contribution to science and the pursuit of excellence.

“Professor Nyokong exudes passion for science – doing science, teaching science, promoting science, raising finance for science, applying science, and contributing to national and international policy and strategy to foster and grow scientific research in developing countries,” said Dr Peter Clayton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research & Development at Rhodes University.

The many accolades that Prof Tebello Nyokong has

received are testimony to the fact that she is a

world-class scientist, with whom we are proud to be

associated.

PART A


of the positive impact of the NRF on the National System of Innovation (NSI) where, through investment, the system is growing through the increase in the number of doctoral students supported. The increase in the number of rated researchers is an indication that our researchers are becoming increasingly globally competitive.

Further evidence is the increase in research outputs in the form of peer-reviewed articles.

The performance against targets reported as part of Table 1 indicates that the NRF is on track to achieve the majority of the Vision 2015 targets set in 2007/08.

95%2 5002502 000

Figure 11: Vision 2015 targets achieved in 2013

Completion rate of applications for NRF rating

Rated researchersResearch outputs:Peer-reviewed journal articles at the National Research Facilities

Doctoral students supported

99.8%2 6382712 031

Vision 2015 targetVision 2015 targetVision 2015 targetVision 2015 target

Through the study of indigenous knowledge systems, a nation embraces its past and starts to understand its future. At the current rate, the NRF would have grown the investment in this area

by 181% between 2010/11 and 2016/17.

2.4.4. Performance against Vision 2015 goals

Table 1 is a summary of the NRF’s performance against targets set in line with the Vision 2015 goals. The NRF has already achieved four of the nine Vision 2015 targets, as shown in Figure 11. The achievement of these targets is an indication

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

19

Indicator descriptionActual

2008/9Actual

2009/10Target

2009/10Actual

2010/11Target

2010/11Actual

2011/12Target

2011/12Actual

2012/13Target

2012/13Target

2013/14Target

2014/15Target

2015/16Vision2015

Promoting internationally competitive research

Promotion of global R&D research 0.48% 0.47% 0.48% 0.52% 0.50% 0.57% 0.50% 0.62% 0.54% 0.59% 0.60% 0.65% 1%

Number of NRF-rated researchers 1 914 2 142 - 2 285 - 2 471 2 400 2 638 2 560 2 714 2 876 3 049 2 500

Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa

Proportion of NRF-rated researchers from designated groups to total rated researchers

Black16% 17% 17% 19% 17% 20% 18% 22% 18% 20% 21% 21% 25%

- 367 - 433 - 506 - 569 520 543 604 640 -

Woman26% 27% 27% 28% 26% 29% 27% 30% 27% 29% 30% 30% 35%

- 578 - 634 - 717 - 780 750 787 863 915 -

Operating world-class evaluation and grant-making systems

Completion rate of applications for NRF rating per annum

95% 99% 95% 99.8% 95% 100% 95% 99.8% 95% 95% 95% 99% 95%

Proportion of available grant funding expensed

64% 84% 65% 81% 70% 77% 86% 84% 90% 90% 90% 90% 100%

Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms

Peer-reviewed journal articles (ISI and others) authored or co-authored by National Research Facility researchers

180 181 186 220 180 233 170 271 168 240 250 260 250

Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system

Doctoral students supported 1 370 1 384 1 370 1 937 1 220 1 979 1 519 2 031 1 715 2 645 2 665 2 680 2 000

PhDs per million of the population 26.0 27.9 - 28.4 - 31.2 - 32.6 - 32.0 32.5 33.0 35.5

Table 1: NRF performance towards Vision 2015 goals

PART A


3. ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

CEO

GROUP EXECUTIVE:SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT

AND CORPORATE RELATIONS

GROUP EXECUTIVE: HUMAN RESOURCES AND LEGAL SERVICES

GROUP EXECUTIVE: FINANCE AND BUSINESS SYSTEMS

DEPUTY CEO:RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE

AND NATIONAL FACILITIES

DEPUTY CEO:ASTRONOMY

Corporate Relations

SAASTA

Science Engagement

Science Education

Science Awareness

Science Communication

HICD

KFD

RCCE

IRC

ARIC

IEPD

GMSA

RE

Human ResourcesGovernance

Information Communication Technology

Knowledge Management Corporate

Corporate Finance and SCM

Biodiversity EnvironmentConservation

Nuclear Astro Geosciences

iThemba LABS SAAO

HartRAO

SKA SA Project

NZG

SAIAB

SAEON

Legal Services

NRF BOARD

CORPORATESECRETARY

Figure 12: NRF organisational structure

PR

OG

RA

MM

E 1

PR

OG

RA

MM

E 3

PR

OG

RA

MM

E 4

PR

OG

RA

MM

E 5

PR

OG

RA

MM

E 2

For explanations of acronyms, please refer to the list of acronyms on page 116.

DEPUTY CEO: RESEARCH AND

INNOVATION SUPPORT AND ADVANCEMENT

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

21

The NRF corporate values underpin all the operations of the organisation. The NRF is committed to interacting with its stakeholders in a manner that is ethical, professional and service orientated. Internal practices are based on these values to create a work environment that fosters personal development and integrity, builds teamwork and recognises and rewards performance. Operating standards are continually refined and audited to ensure that the organisation has reliable information for decision-making.

3.1. Organisational structure

The organisation is clustered into five programmes in order to support the achievement of its objectives. Figure 12 is a representation of the clustering of the functional divisions within the organisation into five focused programmes. The programmes will be discussed in more detail in Part B of this report.

3.2. Accountability structure of the NRF

The accountability structures of the NRF consist of systems by which the NRF is directed, controlled and held accountable. These systems are determined by legislative policies such as the NRF Act (Act No. 23 of 1998), the Public Finance Management Amendment Act (PFMA) (Act No. 29 of 1999), the National Treasury Reporting Framework,

the DST Governance Framework for Public Entities and the South African Companies Act (Act No. 71 of 2008). In addition, the NRF also applies leading governance practices by adhering to the requirements of the King Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa (King III).

Parliament, through the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee (PPC) on Science and Technology, maintains high-level oversight of the entity, while the Executive Authority (the Minister of Science and Technology) and the Accounting Authority of the NRF (the NRF Board) are accountable for the entity. Figure 13 is an indication of the accounting structure of the entity.

The governance structures of the organisation specify a system of policies and procedures that support the achievement of objectives and reflect the context of the regulatory, stakeholder and social environments. The NRF aims to entrench a culture of openness, ethical behaviour and accountability, thereby enhancing public trust and stakeholder engagement.

ParliamentPCC on

Science and Technology

ExecutiveAuthority

Minister of Science and Technology

Accounting Authority Board of the NRF

Accounting Officer

Chief ExecutiveOfficer of the NRF

CorporateExecutive

Committee

Figure 13: NRF accountability structure

NRF Management

PART A


The appropriation in terms of the Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) forms approximately half of the NRF funding. As a national government agency, the NRF also undertakes various programmes and projects on a contractual basis, primarily for the DST.

4.1. Budget and sources of income

The NRF receives in excess of 90% of its funding from government in three forms, namely: baseline MTEF allocation, ring-fenced MTEF funds as designated by the DST, and designated funds for specific projects and programmes from the DST and other government departments and entities. Designated funds represent close to 75% of the total income with only 3% of income being self-generated, from sales of goods and services, entrance fees and interest. Figure 14 compares the various sources of funding. The major increase in the MTEF ring-fenced allocation in 2014/15 is due to the transfer of various contracts, e.g. SARChI, IKS, NEP, NNEP and Science Promotion, into the NRF MTEF ring-fenced allocation. Therefore, the Contract Income (Designated funds) has declined.

The MTEF baseline allocation received by the NRF is utilised primarily to fund the programmes and operational activities of the NRF. The NRF baseline funding level for 2014/15 is set to increase by 4,3% from the previous year. This is below the current inflationary levels and will require the NRF to pursue various austerity measures as outlined in section 4.4. and 4.5.

The MTEF allocation for 2014/15 to 2016/17 also includes ring-fenced allocations for the Global Change Grand Challenge Science Plan Implementation, Scientific Equipment Programmes, National Research Facilities equipment, IKS Research Fund, Science Promotion, HCD Bursaries & Research Grants and the SKA project, which was not included in the MTEF allocation prior to 2014/15. This

resulted in a significant increase in the 2014/15 to 2016/17 MTEF allocations.

In addition, the level of designated income has increased from 2012/13, as bilateral discussions between the DST and the NRF are starting to bear fruit with the reduction in the number of such agreements so as to minimise administrative overheads, and promote flexibility and long-term planning.

4. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW: 2014/15 BUDGET AND MTEF ESTIMATES

Figure 14: Comparison of sources of funding (2010/11–2014/15)

3 500

4 000

4 500

3 000

2 500

2 000

1 500

1 000

500

02010/11 Actual

2011/12 Actual

2012/13 Actual

2013/14 Estimate

2014/15 Budget

2015/16 Budget

2016/17 Budget

MTEF allocation - Baseline

762 779 776 816 851 893 880

MTEF allocation - Ring-fenced

255 300 288 703 1 373 1 936 1 860

Designated & Other 1 170 1 054 1 248 1 794 1 489 1 064 1 206

R’ m

illio

n

The NRF will reach the R4bn Income target in 2014/15

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

23

4.2. Three-year projection of the NRF 2014/15–2016/17 MTEF allocation

The three-year MTEF baseline allocation to the NRF is indicated as a single line item, allowing NRF flexibility in apportioning the funds according to the priorities outlined in the Annual Performance Plan. Table 2 shows the baseline allocation split, as approved by the NRF Board.

4.3. NRF investment principles

The demand for research funding far outstrips funding increases, which requires the NRF to continually make prudent and efficient investment

• The NRF strives to allocate resources appropriately throughout the organisation for efficient delivery of services and strategic goals;

• Core principles of fairness, transparency and accountability apply to all investment processes; and

• Contributing to the transformation of society in terms of race, gender and disability is considered at all times in order to redress systemic social and economic inequalities.

4.4. Savings and efficiency measures

To increase business sustainability, various austerity measures have been initiated, including curtailing costs by reducing non-key staff and non-key activities in line with the Pareto principle to focus investments appropriately. Sustainability initiatives include leveraging economies of scale through demand management and negotiating better rates with suppliers; working more efficiently and economically by automating a number of processes, especially the rollout of the NRF online submission system; and work is in progress to develop a workflow-based system mainly on supply chain management processes. NRF overheads have been analysed and costed out to all business units.

4.5. Detailed budgets

Detailed NRF budgets have been prepared, taking into account all sources of income and with due regard for efficiency savings, which have been factored in across all business divisions and will be closely monitored over the MTEF period. The detailed budgets for 2014/15 are presented in Table 3.

Programme NRF allocation from DST

2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

R’000 R’000 R’000

3 RISA 440 538 461 548 446 033

4 & 5 National Research Facilities 295 723 311 987 329 147

2 Science Advancement 20 188 21 298 22 470

4 SAEON 9 441 9 630 10 918

1 Corporate services 85 296 88 140 71 668

Total NRF baseline 851 186 892 603 880 236

Year-on-year baseline movement 4,3% 4,9% -1,4%

3 & 4 Ring-fenced allocation: Global Change Grand Challenge 54 852 59 160 59 456

5 Ring-fenced allocation: Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project

641 635 694 426 697 802

3 Ring-fenced allocation: Scientific Equipment 169 179 179 447 188 958

4 & 5 Ring-fenced allocation: National Research Facilities 90 000 110 000 -

3 Ring-fenced allocation: Human Capacity Development - 350 000 367 501

3 Ring-fenced allocation: Natural Resources & Public Assets

10 409 10 930 11 476

3 Ring-fenced allocation: SA Research Chairs Initiative 351 879 472 665 475 028

3 Ring-fenced allocation: IKS Research Fund 10 000 10 000 10 000

2 Ring-fenced allocation: Science Promotion 44 642 49 077 49 322

Total MTEF allocation 2 223 782 2 828 308 2 739 779

choices. The NRF formulated the following eight principles to guide its investment across the range of its interventions, functions, facilities and programmes:• Competitive funding applies to all funding

applications;• A balanced strategy-driven approach

is followed, rather than a demand-pull approach;

• Investments are subject to rigorous merit-based peer reviews and rating of the research outputs of individuals;

• PhD is a critical systems driver; • The NRF promotes cross-fertilisation and

rotation of expertise and talent between itself and other entities in the NSI;

Table 2: Three-year projection of the NRF (2014/15 MTEF baseline allocation)

PART A


Table 3: Abridged budget report for the year ending 31 March 2015 (including THRIP)

BUDGET 2015/16

Corporate

Science Advance-

ment RISA

NATIONAL RESEARCH FACILITIES ASTRONOMY SUB-AGENCY

TOTAL 2014/15

Consolidat-ed budget

(excl. internal

transfers) 2014/15

Change Projected 2013/14

vs. Budget 2014/15

PROJECTED 2013/14

ACTUAL2012/13

Dep CEO: Facilities iTHEMBA SAIAB NZG SAEON SKA SAAO HartRAO

R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 % R'000 R'000

Budgeted unspent funds/(deficit) at beginning of year - 85 1 038 278 - - - 120 - - 2 612 4 132 4 132 (8 110) 152

MTEF allocation - Baseline 85 296 20 189 440 538 8 740 146 961 15 699 56 560 9 441 - 44 403 23 359 851 186 851 186 4,3% 816 204 775 835

MTEF allocation - Ring-fenced - 44 642 672 248 - - - - 14 071 641 635 - - 1 372 596 1 372 596 95,2% 703 161 288 034

Ring-fenced funds carried forward - - 196 621 - - - - - 100 000 - - 296 621 296 621 -402,5% (98 065) (145 579)

Designated income - 25 530 959 211 - 35 031 8 445 4 282 2 405 23 028 26 592 1 686 1 086 210 1 086 210 -39,3% 1 788 553 1 288 123

Interest received 1 128 1 690 13 036 - 1 532 421 1 300 350 5 000 555 674 25 686 25 686 1% 25 524 33 898

Internal Income 13 268 12 105 240 725 - 17 680 18 944 16 400 9 703 - 27 263 20 247 376 335 - 448 369 163 584

NZG Entrance fees - - - - - - 36 173 - - - - 36 173 36 173 11,8% 32 354 29 634

NZG Retail and other sales - 200 4 368 - 13 865 5 17 923 - - 1 681 - 38 042 38 042 25,2% 30 397 30 817

Other income - 1 061 850 - 2 500 16 510 200 - 649 256 6 042 6 042 -60,0% 15 087 11 526

Total income 99 692 105 502 2 528 634 9 018 217 568 43 528 133 148 36 291 769 664 101 143 48 834 4 093 023 3 716 688 9,0% 3 753 473 2 476 023

Grants and bursaries - (27 995) (2 022 729) - (1 813) (4 099) - (305) (48 000) (1 591) (837) (2 107 369) (2 107 369) -11,4% (1 890 967) (1 282 429)

Programme and operating expenses (37 275) (42 542) (72 596) (3 936) (83 380) (10 821) (51 732) (8 266) (182 291) (30 158) (10 003) (533 000) (533 000) -5,3% (506 106) (394 629)

Internal expenses (4 313) (14 428) (338 171) - (6 170) (1 677) (1 847) (242) (6 900) (1 651) (936) (376 335) - (448 369) (163 584)

Salaries (45 307) (20 246) (94 430) (4 504) (130 271) (16 084) (75 818) (20 491) (135 935) (55 172) (17 063) (615 321) (615 321) -19,2% (516 378) (443 744)

Total expenditure (86 895) (105 212) (2 527 927) (8 440) (221 634) (32 681) (129 398) (29 304) (373 126) (88 572) (28 838) (3 632 025) (3 255 690) -8,0% (3 361 820) (2 284 387)

Net unspent funds/(deficit) for the year 12 797 290 707 578 (4 066) 10 847 3 750 6 987 396 538 12 571 19 996 460 998 460 998 391 653 191 637

Transfer from SALT fund - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 404

Transfer to Infrastructure Development fund - - - - (9 814)

Post Retirement Medical Liability recovery - - - 25 985 -

Capital expenditure (12 797) (1 645) (5 523) (300) (15 027) (13 745) (6 000) (8 654) (413 576) (18 615) (20 780) (516 662) (516 662) -11,2% (464 803) (235 858)

Non-cash flow items - depreciation - 1 355 5 426 - 19 093 2 898 2 250 1 667 17 038 6 044 2 462 58 233 58 233 13,5% 51 297 43 522

Unspent funds/(deficit) at end of the year - - 610 278 - - - - - - 1 678 2 565 2 565 4 132 (8 110)

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

25

EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2015 PER PROGRAMME

BUDGET 2015/16

Programme 1 Programme 2 Programme 3 Programme 4 Programme 5

Total CorporateScience

Engagement RISA

Nuclear, Biodiversity,

Environmental & Conservation

Sciences Astro

Geoscience

R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000

Grants and bursaries - 31 626 2 022 729 6 207 46 807 2 107 369

Programme and operating expenses 37 275 52 975 72 596 150 663 219 491 533 000

Internal expenses 4 313 14 438 338 171 9 926 9 487 376 335

Salaries 45 307 55 357 94 430 218 491 201 736 615 321

Net capital expenditure 12 797 438 97 17 672 427 426 458 430

Total expenditure 99 692 154 834 2 528 023 402 959 904 947 4 090 454

Table 4: Budgeted expenditure report per programme for the year ending 31 March 2015 (including THRIP)

Figure 15: Total expenditure including capital (2014/15)

Programme 1

Programme 2

Programme 3

Programme 4

Programme 5

22%

10%

62%

2%

4%

PART A


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

CATEGORY

2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/17

R'000 R'000 R'000

Government grant - Baseline 851 186 892 603 880 236 Government grant - Ring-fenced 1 669 217 1 847 755 1 900 443 Designated income 1 086 210 1 041 671 1 048 580 Interest received 25 686 25 960 26 612 Other income 80 257 84 277 89 834 Total income 3 712 556 3 892 265 3 945 705 Grants and bursaries 2 107 369 2 283 803 2 367 781 Programme and operating expenses 533 000 560 075 556 562 Human capacity of National facilities, Programmes and Operations 615 321 655 553 698 803 Total expenditure 3 255 690 3 499 431 3 623 146 Income set aside for capital acquisitions 456 862 392 836 322 559 Less: Net capital expenditure (458 429) (394 315) (323 367) Net budgeted unspent funds for the year * -1 567 -1 479 -808 Opening Accumulated Funds 4 132 2 565 1 086 Closing Accumulated Funds 2 565 1 086 278

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

CATEGORY

2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/17

R'000 R'000 R'000

Property, plant & equipment and intangible assets 1 621 472 2 015 787 2 339 154 Inventory 6 000 6 500 6 500 Receivables & Prepayments 704 528 700 832 696 418 Cash & Investments 506 054 431 054 385 051 Total assets 2 838 054 3 154 173 3 427 123 Accumulated fund & SALT fund 35 215 33 736 32 928 Capital fund & Infrastructure development fund 1 640 079 2 034 394 2 357 761 Income received in advance 1 084 672 1 008 845 960 522 Payables & Provisions 78 088 77 198 75 912 Total liabilities 2 838 054 3 154 173 3 427 123

Table 5: Abridged projected financial statements (2014/15–2016/17)

* Contract funds for 2015-2017 only based on confirmed contracts and the above excludes accumulated funds

4.6. Abridged projected financial statements (2014/15–2016/17)Table 5 provides a summary of the projected financial statements for the period 2014/15–2016/17 aligned to the annual plans.

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

27

4.7. NRF Long-term infrastructure plan

An account of the NRF infrastructure and other capital plans is provided in Table 6.

Additional infrastructure and capital plans The additional infrastructure and capital plans is dependant on the approval of additional funding by National Treasury. The additional plans will only be initiated and implemented once the MTEF submission has been done and approval thereof received.

NoBusiness Division Description Outputs

Estimated project costs Project duration 2012/13

2013/14 2014/15

2015/16 2016/17 Additional infrastructure/

capital R'000 Start Finish R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000 R'000

1. NationalResearch Facilities

Upgrade and replacement of scientific equipment

Access to state-of-the-art research equipment and facilities

N/A

Bas

ed o

n on

goin

g re

view

and

ava

ilabi

lity

of fu

nds

37 146 75 864 83 121 97 191 57 298

A Strategic Research Infrastructure plan for the National Research Facilities has been developed, for which an amount of approximately R 600 million is required. R 90 million has been allocated for 2014/15 and R 110 million for 2015/16 in the MTEF for National Research Facilities’ equipment.

2. SAASTA Computer and office equipment

Enhanced working environment to enable delivery on various contract projects

N/A 1 233 1 400 1 645 1 557 1 400

Pending a national strategy on science advancement, the SAASTA Johannesburg Observatory site may require R 60 million to upgrade.

3. RISA Comput-er, office equipment and building refurbish-men

Enhanced working environment and improved efficiency

N/A 5 046 6 091 5 523 5 523 5 816

4. Corporate Computer, office equipment and building construction

Enhanced working environment and improved efficiency

N/A 1 365 15 305 12 797 12 223 2 233

Expansion of office buildings to save on existing leasing costs and increase limited office space.

5. SKA project

Construction of KAT7 and MeerKAT comprising of 64 radio antennae

World-class telescope for many years based on mission driven innovation enabling South Africa to undertake cutting-edge research into deep space 3 700 000 2002/03 2016/17 191 068 366 143 413 576 338 579 320 018

235 858 464 803 516 662 455 073 386 765

Table 6: Long-term infrastructure and other capital plans (2014/15–2016/17)

B

Throughout its history, humanity has affected the atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic, biospheric and other Earth system processes on a scale that can only be considered as a force of nature. While our existence has spanned a single

geological period, called the Holocene, which stretches back 10,000 years, our footprint has been so significant that scientists believe we have entered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene. The word Anthropocene

combines the root “anthropo”, meaning “human” with the root “-cene”, the standard suffix for “epoch” in geologic time, and defines Earth’s most recent geologic time period as being human-influenced, or anthropogenic.

PART B: PROGRAMME PLANS

2929

PART BPROGRAMME PLANS

PROGRAMME 1 PROGRAMME 2 PROGRAMME 3 PROGRAMME 4 PROGRAMME 5

CORPORATE SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SUPPORT AND ADVANCEMENT

(RISA)

NATIONAL RESEARCH FACILITIES – NUCLEAR,

BIODIVERSITY, ENVIRONMENTAL & CONSERVATION

SCIENCES

NATIONAL RESEARCHFACILITIES – ASTRO

GEOSCIENCES

01

5. PROGRAMME 01: CORPORATE

31

PROGRAMME 01 5. CORPORATE

The Corporate Programme is a cross-cutting support function that is responsible for the provision of enabling systems, activities and structures that support the organisation. The key objective of Programme 1 as a support function is to set the policy and the tone for good governance, statutory compliance and the transfer of business best practice across the organisation, thereby contributing to the achievement of organisational objectives.

5.1 Programme Structure

Figure 16 indicates the functional groups that contribute to the delivery of the services offered by Programme 1.

Corporate Relations

Human Resources

Legal Services

Governance

ICT

Knowledge Management

Corporate

Corporate Finance

and SCM

Figure 16: Programme structure

Human Resources

and Legal Services

Finance and Business System

Corporate Relations

PROGRAMME 1

NRF CEO


PART B CORPORATE

5.2. Objectives and Indicators

Table 7 is a summary of the objectives of Programme 1 against the budget. Table 8 indicates the high-level key performance indicators of the programme.

2014/15 OBJECTIVES DESCRIPTION

BUDGET (R million)

2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Provide and maintain effective, efficient and transparent systems of administration

The programme will:• Provide an enabling system of administration for the NRF to

ensure that appropriate and relevant policies, procedures and systems exist to enable delivery of the organisational mandate.

96 100 102 86

2. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, standards, codes of best practice and non-binding rules

The system of legislation, regulatory frameworks and guidelines that make up the compliance environment must be clearly mapped and incorporated into the standard business processes to ensure transparency, accountability and compliance.

3. Cost effective administration Optimised business processes to ensure efficient and optimal use of resources, thereby keeping overheads as low as possible.

4. Corporate Relations • Building the NRF brand• Positioning the NRF nationally and internationally• Building stakeholder partnerships

Total 96 100 102 86

Table 7: Programme 1 – Objectives against budget (2014/15–2016/17)

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Actual Estimated Target

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Unqualified external audit report with no significant issues YesYes Yes Yes Yes Yes

No

2. Proportion of South Africans from designated groups in senior management, management and senior supervisory and technical/ professional skill levels

Black 60% 60% 60% 61% 61%

Women 41% 43% 44% 45% 45%

3. Customer/reputation surveys Not measured Not measured 65% 70% 75%

4. Total NRF overheads: calculated as a percentage of total expenditure 8.7% <10% <10% <10% <10%

5. Corporate overheads: calculated as a percentage of total expenditure 1.5% <3% <3% <3% <3%

Table 8: Programme 1 – Key performance indicators (2014/15–2016/17)

PROGRAMME 01

33

Figure 17: Structure of finance and Business Systems sub-programme

Knowledge Management

Corporate

5.3. Finance and Business Systems

The objective of the Finance and Business Systems sub-programme is to ensure that the NRF has the appropriate business systems

and supporting infrastructure to ensure that the organisation meets its mandate in an efficient and effective manner. The unit champions compliance and provides relevant systems and support to the organisation (see Figure 17).

5.3.1. Governance

The Governance directorate is responsible for the establishment and support of internal structures and processes within a control environment to enable the officers and directors of the organisation to discharge their duties effectively. The Sub-programme provides the Corporate Executive Committee with an overarching view of the organisational performance and reporting, compliance and assurance services with regard to legislation, regulatory frameworks and best practice.

The key focus of the Governance directorate is to support the CEO and the Corporate Executive Committee in meeting the organisational objectives through the adoption of leading governance principles and practice.

5.3.1.1. Alignment to best practices/ standards

The governance environment is driven by combinations of applicable laws and non-binding rules. The most significant influence on the governance environment is derived from

the King Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa (King III), which is endorsed by the NRF Board and Executive, not only to drive compliance with legislation, regulations and best practice, but also to focus on non-binding rules, codes and standards that determine best practise.

Table 9 is a summary of the key best practice codes applicable to the NRF’s operations and mandate.

GovernanceInfomation

Communication Technology

Corporate Finance and Supply Chain

Management


PART B CORPORATE

Best practice codes and standards RISA NZG SAEON SAASTA SAIAB HartRAO SAAOiThemba

LABS SKA

1. King III Code of Corporate Governance for SA √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

2. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Financial Reporting

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

3. PAAZAB Code of Ethics √

4. African Preservation Programme (APP) Resource Manual

√

5. SANS 10386:2008 South African National Standard for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes

√

6. World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare

√

7. Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems 18001:2007

√

8. ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System √ √ √ √ √

9. ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System √ √ √ √ √ √

10. Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) √

11. International Atomic Energy Agency (AEA) standards √

Table 9: Applicable sustainability best practice codes and standards

5.3.1.2. Governance Activities 2014/15

The Governance directorate consists of a number of functional units that create an enabling

structure against which the business measures its compliance in terms of regulations and best practice. Figure 18 is a summary of the functional units within the Governance directorate.

GOVERNANCE AUDIT AND RISK SUSTAINABILITYBUSINESS

INTELLIGENCEPLANNINIG AND

REPORTING

Compliance with legislation, standards, guidelines and non-binding rules

• Co-sourced internal audit

• Enterprise risk management

• Health and safety Environmental impact• Corporate social

responsibility

• Decision support• Business performance

analysis

• Statutory reporting to the executive authority with respect to guidelines

• Monitoring of the compliance environment

Figure 18: Governance activities

PROGRAMME 01

35

cost-effectiveness of the system and most significantly, the return on investment (ROI). The Corporate IT function has demonstrated the return on IT investment through the calculation of ROI. This reflects value for money at an operational level. The process will be repeated annually in order to justify IT spending.


The NRF actively participates in the national ICT standardisation programmes through

membership of the relevant committees of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). Long-term strategies include the implementation of a robust governance framework and regular assessments in line with the King III Report. The details of proposed initiatives are highlighted below. RISA and Corporate ICT are fully aligned to world best practice and standards and take advantage of active participation in their developments at both national and international levels.

5.3.2. Information Communication Technology

The primary goal of the ICT division is to provide world-class IT services and support to all NRF divisions across the country, including RISA, SAASTA, the National Research Facilities and the International Council for Science (ICSU) Regional Office for Africa based in Pretoria.

The critical indicators of efficiency, relevance and effectiveness within the ICT domain are the percentage downtime of the systems, the


PART B CORPORATE

5.3.3. Knowledge Management Corporate

The Knowledge Management and Corporate (KMC) Sub-programme facilitates and drives the organisation’s knowledge management processes by creating and maintaining an environment (internally and externally) that promotes and supports quality knowledge and science intelligence, through identified information systems. The Sub-programme is also actively responsible for the management of intellectual assets. It is also a shared corporate cross-cutting service that is aimed at developing and maintaining the NRF as a knowledge-based organisation by facilitating knowledge generation, access to and utilisation of data and information by NRF stakeholders.

This is achieved through: • Implementation and custodianship of

knowledge management processes and principles primarily within NRF and in the wider NSI context.

• Implementation and maintenance of records and document management principles and practices.

• Provision and guidance on data management, digitisation and associated repositories.

• Provision of information management, services and advice.

• Facilitation of the application of relevant databases and enabling systems and tools.

• Provision of appropriate research performance measurement and business

5.3.2.2. ICT Activities 2014/15

The ICT directorate consists of a number of key functions that contribute to the overall

efficiency and sustainability of the ICT systems that support the business while complying with best practice. Figure 19 provides an overview of the ICT activities per functional area.

intelligence services through the use of electronic resources, e-databases and related e-tools.

• Research support for business on policy development, analysis, strategic support and positioning of the NRF within the NSI.


The Knowledge Management portfolio is governed by international standards and the code of ethics of the National Library and Information Professional Services. The Knowledge Management processes are aligned and subscribe to the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA),

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE DESK COMPLIANCE

Core business applications can be developed internally in order to reduce dependency on third-party service providers.

• Planning and delivery are carried out in accordance with the infrastructure lifecycle analysis.

• The virtualisation environment allows flexibility to scale up or down depending on business requirements. In 2014/15 an evaluation of equipment leases will be carried out.

• The support function is continually monitored in order to improve and enhance service delivery and turnaround times.

• Targets are evaluated and adjusted on an annual basis.

The governance framework requires that the systems and services provided are in line with the standards, codes and best practice of the ICT industry.

Figure 19: ICT activities

PROGRAMME 01

37

Association for Social Science Information Services and Technology (IASSIST), Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA), World Data System, and South African National Library and Information Consortium (SANLiC).

The statutory framework for sound records and documents management for governmental

bodies complies with the principles of good governance as laid down by Section 195 of the Constitution, the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act (Act No. 43 of 1996) (NARSSA); the Promotion of Access to Information Act (Act No. 2 of 2000), the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (Act No. 3 of 2000) (PAIA), the Public Finance Management Act (Act No. 1 of 1999) (PFMA), and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (Act No. 25 of 2002).

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Anglo American Cataloguing Rules (AACR), Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), Resource Description and Access (RDA), Dublin Core Metadata Guidelines, Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH), Digital Curation Centre (DCC), Open Access (OA) initiatives, European Current Research Information Systems (CRIS), International Federation of Data Organizations (IFDO), International

5.3.3.2. KMC Activities (2014/15)

The activities of the directorate are set out in Figure 20.

RECORDS AND DOCUMENT

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES

DATA, CONTENT AND CURATION MANAGEMENT

SERVICES

BIBLIOMETRICS AND SCIENTOMETRICS

SERVICES

• File Plan• Registry Services• PAIA procedure• Records management

governance• Legislation• Compliance• Electronic records and

document management system

• Collection management• Collection development• e-Resources acquisitions• Cataloguing• Classification• Information searches• Lending services• Open access

Data archiving and management:• South African Data Archive• World Data System

digitisation• NRF institutional repository • Current research information

Systems: - National Electronic Thesis

and Dissertation Portal - Professional Associations - Data Resources in Africa - Research expertise

administration on NRF systems

• Research evaluation using citation databases and analytical tools:

- Country analysis - Institutional audits/reviews - Funding instruments - Departmental research

assessment - Rating and evaluation of

researchers

Figure 20: KMC activities


PART B CORPORATE

5.3.4. Corporate Finance and Supply Chain Management

This finance function supports the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) by ensuring that there is adequate accountability and transparency in the form of annual financial statements, management and statutory financial reporting. The section ensures that processing infrastructure is available through an accounting software platform and reporting system; as well as providing a support service to all units on accounting and financial systems and

5.4. Human Resources and Legal Services

The Human Resources and Legal Services functions provide the NRF with comprehensive human resource and legal services and give policy direction and strategy execution guidelines in these areas. Furthermore, the division leads, promotes and coordinates organisation-wide activities to enhance the NRF’s productivity and interactions with internal and relevant external stakeholders.

supply chain management activities. The unit enhances financial control through the design and provision of policies and appropriate financial and Supply chain management (SCM) training.


Financial accounting and supply chain management are highly regulated, with regulatory bodies seeking to apply best practices through regulatory means, for example the PFMA and

5.4.1. Main activities

The corporate Human Resources and Legal Services (HR and Legal) function will respond to the needs expressed in the strategic and annual performance plans of NRF divisions and business units for 2013/14 by providing the suite of services set out in Figure 22.

5.4.2. Future plans

Future plans include the following strategic shifts in HR processes and related tools that

Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) and the National Treasury prescripts. The NRF seeks to comply with required legislation and is currently designing a workflow system that ensures that best practices are systematised. The finance environment in the public sector is highly regulated.

5.3.4.2. Corporate Finance and SCM activities

The activities of the directorate are set out in Figure 21.

are intended to enable the organisation to adapt to changing demands of the environment and stakeholders:• The adaptation and change of the

performance management framework and associated reward mechanisms so as to align with a team and client-centric culture required to meet the organisation’s performance delivery expectations by a range of internal and external stakeholders;

• A fundamental shift in the workforce strategy and associated scorecard by

ACCOUNTABILITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• External audit• B-BBEE audit• BAC secretariate

• Design• Development• Maintenance

• Training• Hosting of interns• Policies• Standard operating

procedures

• Produce annual financial statements

• Report to the DST and National Treasury

• Feasibility studies• Market analysis• Budgeting• Internal reporting

Figure 21: Corporate finance and supply chain management activities

PROGRAMME 01

39

• The re-orientation and re-skilling of RISA staff through a project management suite of interventions to enable them to function effectively within the new matrix structure;

• Continued roll-out of the management development programmes in partnership with the University of Stellenbosch Business School;

• Implementation of effective tools for the management of existing and new NRF contracts, and putting in place

guidelines, tracking processes and other mechanisms designed to ensure ease of compliance by all employees of the NRF who deal with contracts;

• Conceptualisation and implementation of a customised NRF diversity management programme in all business units; and

• Investigation, sourcing and implementation of innovative recruitment and selection tools, thus contributing to the quality and fit of NRF recruits.

introducing strategic differentiation linked to the various strategic thrusts of the individual NRF divisions;

• The negotiation of a new deal with labour as a result of the expected organisational change and employee profile, should the National Zoological Gardens (NZG) migrate and be transferred to SANBI;

• Contribute to the conceptualisation and creation of an Astronomy Sub-agency within the NRF governance structure;

RECRUITMENTHR SYSTEMS AND

PROCESSES

TRAINING AND ORGANISATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

LEGAL AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS SERVICES

• Ensure that the organisation attracts, retains, develops and trains the right number and quality of staff;

• Improve the quality and efficiency of the recruitment, selection and placement processes.

• Develop and implement improved and sustainable human resource systems and processes;

• Contribute to improvements in employee productivity.

• Further implement internal organisational development initiatives to encourage and sustain the ‘Living the NRF Values’ campaign;

• Ensure that staff are aware of and able to adapt to change and transformation to deliver on the NRF’s mandate and the country’s transformation objectives;

• Contribute to the development of a team-based organisational culture through development interventions and programmes;

• Build, embed and maintain positive staff perceptions of the NRF.

• The legal support function will continue to seek and implement effective tools for the management of existing and new NRF contracts, and put in place guidelines, tracking processes and other mechanisms designed to ensure ease of compliance by all employees of the NRF dealing with contracts. Through its Employee Relations wing, the legal support service will also seek to strengthen relations with labour unions;

• Protect and act as custodian of the organisation’s intellectual property;

• Provide well-researched and reasoned legal solutions in support of the NRF business;

• Create and maintain a harmonious and stable labour relations environment.

Figure 22: Human resources and legal services activities


PART B CORPORATE

5.5. Corporate Relations

The National Research Foundation has set itself the vision of being a world-class agency supporting world-class research in a transformed society and a sustainable environment. The achievement of the NRF vision and the execution of its mandate as per the NRF Act are partly predicated on the ability of the organisation to gain understanding, appreciation and support for its strategy and work across all sectors of society. The Corporate Relations unit supports the NRF strategy through all internal and external communications, and provides support, through its current capacity, products and services, to all business units to enable them to achieve their objectives. Corporate Relations services NRF business divisions in terms of marketing, communication and stakeholder engagement. To this end, the unit has been undergoing an internal re-organisation to ensure that it is properly positioned to support the organisation, especially in the context of the RISA renewal campaign. The key focus areas of the unit are shown in Figure 23.

Code of Good Practice on Dismissals Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Act No. 130 of 1993)

Employment Equity Code of Good Practice Pension Fund Act (Act No. 24 of 1956)

National Research Foundation Act (Act No. 23 of 1998) Medical Schemes Act (Act No. 131 of 1998)

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act No. 108 of 1996) Income Tax Act (Act No. 58 of 1962)

Basic Conditions of Employment Act (Act No. 75 of 1997) Skills Development Act (Act No. 97 of 1998)

Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act No. 85 of 1993) Skills Development Levies Act (Act No. 9 of 1999)

Labour Relations Act (Act No. 66 of 1995) South African Qualifications Authority Act (Act No. 58 of 1995)

Employment Equity Act (Act No. 55 of 1998) Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Act No. 4 of 2000)

Broad–Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (Act No. 53 of 2003) Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000)

Unemployment Insurance Act (Act No. 63 of 2001) Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (Act No. 3 of 2000

Figure 23 Key focus areas of the Corporate Relations

KEY FOCUS AREAS OF

CORPORATERELATIONS

5.4.3. Alignment to best practice /standards

The HR and Legal Services directorate complies with and ensures adherence to a range of codes, standards and legislation. (Table 10).

Stakeholder engagement

and relationship building (including corporate social responsibility)

Building the NRF brand in

the NSI (profiling NRF, media, marketing)

Communication content and product

development (graphic design, copywriting and

editing, newsletters and information

products)

Standardisation of communication

policies and practices

Promoting a positive

organisational culture

Table 10: Codes, standards and legislation applicable to HR and Legal Services

PROGRAMME 01

41

Research Facilities in the use of the NRF brand, providing inputs and guidelines on the usage of logos and the overall brand essence. Corporate Relations’ role is to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of information to all NRF stakeholders, a role that is constantly evolving as new skills and technology are acquired.

In terms of its outputs, Corporate Relations provides design and content creation services for a variety of areas, including traditional paper-based methods such as brochures, advertisements, leaflets, posters etc., as well as electronic media such as e-mail and web-based communications. These outputs

are initiated according to specific needs and projects of the various stakeholders.

Ultimately, Corporate Relations seeks to ensure that the brand message, purpose and corporate image of the NRF are presented positively and in an informative way to its stakeholders.

5.5.1. Main activities

The Corporate Relations function will also respond to the needs expressed in the strategic and annual performance plans of NRF divisions and business units by providing the suite of services set out in Figure 24.

Stakeholder engagement involves identification and management of relations with key stakeholders, the design and creation of content in its various forms (i.e. electronic, paper-based, etc.), and ensuring that content conforms to standard NRF corporate language and style. In addition, Corporate Relations is tasked with the management of events, the selection and branding of corporate gifts, the development of effective media strategies, press liaison and corporate social responsibility (CSR), amongst others.

Corporate Relations also plays a consultative role for NRF business units and National

BUILDING THE NRF BRAND WITHIN THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF

INNOVATION (NSI)

FACILITATING STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTS AND

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

PROMOTING A POSITIVE ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE

• Profile the NRF• Facilitate NRF media coverage and

exposure• Manage national, organisational or unit

level marketing campaigns • Provide support for communication

content and product development (including management of the corporate website) across NRF business entities

• Facilitate key NRF corporate stakeholder engagements

• Manage NRF corporate exhibitions • Facilitate strategic partnerships on behalf

of NRF business units• Implement externally focused CSR

projects• Implement the NRF Science for Society

lecture series (and other public lectures) • Implement innovative stakeholder

research interventions (e.g. customer surveys)

• Manage and deliver the Management Development and Information Forum (MDIF)

• Implement internally focused corporate social responsibility (CSR) Projects

• Support the RISA Renewal campaign• Standardise communication-related

practices and policies across NRF business units

Figure 24: Corporate Relations

02

6. PROGRAMME 02: SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT

43

PROGRAMME 02 6. SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT

South Africa’s innovation revolution must help solve our society’s deep and pressing socio-economic challenges. Global competitiveness, shrinking resource availability and the requirements of a skilled labour force mean that, increasingly, an awareness and understanding of why science and research are critical to our lives is essential for developing an innovation culture.

To fully realise the social, economic and environmental benefits of the significant investment in science, research and innovation as a country, we must communicate and engage the wider community more fully in science and in an understanding of the knowledge economy to which we aspire. A common vision seen to encapsulate global ambitions is of “a society that is excited about science, values its importance to our social and economic well-being, feels confident in its use and supports a representative, well qualified scientific workforce” (Australian Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, 2008).

6.1. Science Engagement structure

Science communication and engagement is a major component of countries strategies for building and sustaining strong wealth- generating science and technology sectors. The NRF acknowledges the role of science engagement achieving of the NRF’s strategic

goals. An important aspect is to ensure that the knowledge that is produced through NRF funding is widely disseminated, shared, understood and used for the common good. For this reason, a new corporate division was created in the 2011/12 financial year (Figure 25). The NRF’s Science Engagement programme has a cross-cutting mandate that aims to strategically align all science engagement activities across the organisation. Therefore, the programme also accounts for the decentralised science engagement activities at the National Research Facilities and SKA SA, and has a developing focus through the new RISA renewal campaign. The RISA division invests, on a competitive basis, in research, people and scientific infrastructure. RISA is thus optimally positioned to contribute towards coordinated, consistent and effective science communication and engagement policy and implementation that will make a meaningful contribution to bridging the gap between science and society.

SAASTA

National Facilities Science

Engagement Initiatives

RISAScience

Engagement Initiatives

Science Engagement

Figure 25: Science engagement programme structure

PROGRAMME 2

NRF CEO


PART B SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT




BUDGET (R million)

2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Science Education • Improving learner and educator participation in SET-based programmes

• Increasing learner exposure to SET-based careers54 35 39 40

2. Science Engagement • Stimulating the communication of SET to public audiences

• Provision of public access to relevant scientific and technological information

30 26 27 29

3. Science Communication • Increasing the quality and quantity of science reporting with regard to print and broadcast media

• Developing communications media suitable for target audiences

• Effective profiling of NRF researchers and scientists

• Building capacity amongst science communication practitioners

26 34 34 38

4. Human Capacity Development The development of human capital in order to:• Drive research strategy; and• Meet the transformation objective of the National

System of Innovation.

0.34 0.37 0.37 0.37

5. Internationalisation and Mobility Facilitating national and international researchpartnership networks

0.27 0.24 0.27 0.27

6. Support Providing world class administrative and strategicsupport to meet business objectives of the program

9 10 11 14

7. Science Engagement Programme 3

Promoting science awareness 0 1 1 1





TOTAL 168 156 164 177

Table 11: Science engagement objectives (2014/15–2016/17)

PROGRAMME 02

45



2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Focused interactions for science education targeting learners and educators

Number of interactions focusing on educator development and learner performance in Mathematics, Technology and Science (SAASTA)

7 8 7 6 6

Number of learners reached through interactions focusing on performance in Mathematics, Technology and Science (SAASTA and National Facilities)

271 641 342 135 347 864 360 320 374 403

Number of educators reached through educator development activities focusing on content and methodology (SAASTA and National Facilities)

8 758 10 425 12 645 13 870 15 210

2. Focused interactions with the public (learners, educators, students and general public)

Number of interactions focusing on science awareness activities (SAASTA)

10 7 10 10 10

Number of public reached through science awareness activities (SAASTA and National Facilities)

1 143 473 1 068 072 1 130 507 1 145 272 1 155 471

3. Science communication The number of multimedia science features in newspaper articles (SAASTA)

53 51 66 82 102

Number of facilitated development interventions between scientists, journalists and researchers (SAASTA)

9 10 12 15 17

Number of communication, engagement and curriculum aligned resources developed (SAASTA)

52 57 62 61 61

SAASTA receives contract funding and as such, cannot adjust targets until funding has been confirmed for the next financial year.

Table 12: Science engagement key performance indicators (2014/15–2016/17)



• Improving learners and educator performance in SET based programmes

Projects include: science camps, STEMI olympiads and competitions, techno youth programmes, educator development programmes, primary school science interventions, and programmes in association with the DST Dinaledi adopted schools.

6.3. Science engagement

All science promotion, awareness, appreciation, education and engagement programmes within the NRF reside under one of three key strategic areas that form an integrated and seamless approach. The areas shown in Figure 26 are interdependent, each enhancing their mutual effectiveness. 6.3.1. South African Agency for Science

and Technology Advancement (SAASTA)

The mandate of SAASTA is to interact with the public on issues of science, engineering and technology; to communicate the advances in these fields to the public, and to steer young minds to careers in science, engineering and technology (SET). These goals are pursued through a large number of science engagement programmes that fall under three key strategic areas: • Science education, which aims to build

the supply of tomorrow’s scientists and innovators;

• Science communication, through which SAASTA shares science and technology achievements with the public, building their appreciation of the benefits of science; and

• Science awareness platforms, which engage the public with the phenomena of science, engineering and technology.

6.3.1.1. Main Activities

The bedrock of SAASTA’s success in advancing a culture of engagement with

science in South Africa lies in its synergistic approach. All SAASTA initiatives fall under the following three key strategic areas, and resources are allocated accordingly to ensure that all the areas receive balanced investments to meet the objectives.

Science EducationThe main activities in this strategic area focus on:

Figure 26: Three strategic areas of science engagement

Through science education we build the supply of

tomorrow’s scientists and innovators

Through science communication we celebrate South Africa’s achievements in science and technology,

expand the public’s awareness and appreciation of the benefits

of science, and encourage engagement with science

issues that impact on people’s daily lives

By growing awareness of science through exploration, exhibitions, science festivals

and actual experience we instil in people an enthusiasm

for the wonder and application of the subject, while encouraging greater public engagement in SET

issues

PROGRAMME 02

47

• Effective profiling of researchers and scientists

Projects include: Southern African Science Lens Competition, Young Science Communicators Competition, SAASTA/ National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), awards for excellence in science communication, RISA collaborations on projects such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).

• Building capacity in the science communication sector.

Projects include: programmatic support grants, science centre capacity building, hosting of dialogue sessions and responsible information management workshops.

SAASTA has its own Corporate Communication unit which is responsible for positioning SAASTA as a reputable brand in science engagement. It produces 12 e-newsletters per annum and several promotional resources, media articles and publications of strategic importance.

6.3.1.2. Challenges

• The NRF Act (Act No. 23 of 1998) does not include science advancement. Therefore, a legislative policy vacuum still exists with regard to public engagement of science. The 2010 institutional review report on SAASTA by an external panel has a number of recommendations that seek to identify the role of SAASTA with respect to science advancement in the NSI. The Ministerial Review Report on the NSI (2012) makes no reference to science advancement, which is the core business of SAASTA.

• Increasing learner and student exposure to SET-based careers

Projects include: Role modelling campaigns, undergraduate support, and the National Youth Volunteer Service.

Science awarenessThe main activities under this strategic area focus on:• Stimulating communication of SET

with public audiences Projects include: science festivals, sky

viewing and visits to the Johannesburg Observatory, National Science Week and all discipline-specific awareness programmes. Currently these cover biotechnology, nanotechnology, hydrogen fuel cells and space science.

• Provision of public access to relevant scientific and technological information through exhibits

Projects include: Exhibit building and travelling of exhibits to reach target audiences, especially in rural areas.

Science CommunicationThe main activities under this strategic areas focus on:• Increasing the quality and quantity of

science reporting with regard to print and broadcast media

Activities include media monitoring, facility tours for journalists, information sessions with journalists.

• Developing communication media for target audiences

Activities include development of online media resources, science factsheets, educator resources, learners resources, nano newsletters, and a revised SAASTA digital platform.

• Due to budget and human resource limitations, SAASTA is not able to extend the current reach and/or interventions to all key stakeholders in deep rural areas and disadvantaged communities, and provide science communication and media support to scientists and researchers in higher education institutions.

6.3.2. Science Advancement at National Research Facilities

The National Research Facilities perform a critical role in the science engagement agenda in that they provide the science awareness platforms that are used to:• Improve the scientific and technological

(S&T) literacy and awareness of South Africans;

• Encourage the inclusion of S&T content in educational programmes and curricular activities;

• Host regular science-related activities and national events such as National Science Week and national quiz activities;

• Run educator workshops for improving the understanding and delivery of science concepts; and

• Conduct summer and winter schools for prospective postgraduate students.

6.3.2.1. National Zoological Gardens (NZG)

The science advancement mandate of the NZG is to advance science in society through:• Provision of a platform for enhancing science

awareness and public engagement;• Supporting teaching and learning in

science, engineering and technology with a focus on life sciences and environmental education; and



• Communication of the relevance, importance, products and benefits of science of wildlife research and wildlife conservation.

Preliminary work is under way to define the scope and nature of a planned one-of-a-kind Life Sciences Centre at the NZG as a unique and primary facility for science advancement work.

6.3.2.2. South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)

The science advancement activities at SAIAB have been reconstituted and are closely aligned with the research structures of the institute. SAIAB will use the NRF’s PhD Pipeline Project as a driver for project-driven science advancement.

SAIAB will continue to target higher education students to guide their decisions about postgraduate study, internships and specialisation. Initiatives for undergraduates include: • Stronger support links with university

departments and extended reach through seminars; and

• Capacity development activities such as a winter school, work-shadowing, holiday work, apprenticeships, science advancement events and directing selected students into internships after graduation.

• Postgraduates will benefit from: - Improved support mechanisms; - Extended reach through seminars; - Short courses with a specialist MSc

and PhD focus; and- Participating as role models in

science advancement activities.

PROGRAMME 02

49

6.3.2.4. iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS)

iThemba LABS contributes to science awareness through active outreach programmes aimed at learners, undergraduates, teachers and the community at large. The iThemba LABS Community Interaction and training programme aims to: • Increase the number of learners, educators,

visitors, students and the general public with which the facility interacts on- and off-site, and expose students to cutting-edge research through summer schools and seminar series;

• Implement interventions such as workshops, talk-shops, interactive science shows, career sessions, undergraduate schools, science teacher training in using multimedia as a teaching tool, and the development of best practice in teaching science;

• Establish the iThemba LABS brand by using its newsletter and website; placing regular features in the print media through editorials and advertorials; participating in local and international exhibitions and science festivals; and establishing an organisational profile on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn; and

• Establish a public lecture series by partnering with local universities and the National Institute for Theoretical Physics.

6.3.2.3. South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)

SAEON’s mandate includes capacity building and education in the environmental sciences to instil an appreciation of environmental science in society. The SAEON science education programme exposes school learners to science of environmental observation, data collection, analysis, reporting and disseminating findings. School learners are engaged in hands-on, enquiry-based teaching and learning that demonstrate the value of long-term and large-scale environmental observation and monitoring.

The programme has five focus areas or sub-programmes: school-based monitoring, teacher support, learner support, awareness platforms and the integration of scientists.

The network’s activities for 2014/15 include:• Weather, climate and tree monitoring;

marine monitoring using Argo floats; workshops and career guidance sessions; science camps; participation in National Marine Week, SciFest and National Science Week; coaching and mentoring; and participation in exhibitions, science expos and open days.

The National Research Facilities for Astronomy and the SKA SA project have extensive science engagement programmes and often collaborate on science festivals, which are designed to grow a representative science and technology workforce through increased learner participation in SET activities.

Some exciting science festivals include:• Mpumalanga Science

Festival in Mbombela; • Namibian Science Week

in Windhoek; Science Tube in

Thohoyando; National Science Week in Kimberley;

• Sasol Techno-X in Sasolburg; Science Unlimited road shows;

• Limpopo Science Festival; SciFest Africa in Grahamstown; and

• Museum Career Week at the Tswaing Crater Museum.



• National Science Week;• Programmatic support for science

advancement; and• Space science outreach.

6.3.2. RISA Science Engagement Activities

The RISA renewal campaign in 2012/13 has seen an emphasis placed on the communication of research and broader engagement with public audiences. This has required a more integrated approach to science communication and engagement across the NRF. Both SAASTA and Corporate Relations personnel are included in all RISA instruments to advance the focus on science engagement through individual research projects. This portfolio is developing as the projects roll out into full project mode. Some activities to be supported in the 2014/15 business cycle include:• Three regional SA PhD conferences;• Annual Postdoctoral Research Forum;• Public lectures, especially by visiting

scientists;• Media profiling of SARChI and CoEs

(print and radio);• Science communication training for

postgraduates and postdoctoral fellows;• Public engagement support through the

African Focus interventions; and• Publications for public audiences.

• Science communication and awareness to engage with the public and disseminate information about astronomy and space science; and

• Socio-economic development to improve the quality of life of people, especially the economically disadvantaged. Interventions target the public, especially rural and underprivileged communities. The development and operation of a Science, Technology and Community Development Centre in Sutherland in the Northern Cape province provides an ideal dissemination point for educational and socio-economic development interventions in the town and surrounding areas.

6.3.2.6. Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO)

The HartRAO science advancement programme capitalises on the appeal and accessibility of astronomy to excite young minds and to demonstrate career opportunities in science, engineering and technology. The activities conducted by HartRAO are either funded by SAASTA or provided for within the HartRAO budget. SAASTA-funded science awareness projects anticipated for the financial year are:• Astro Quiz for Grade 7 primary school

learners;

6.3.2.5. South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)

Science awareness projects include science festivals, which are designed to grow a representative science and technology workforce through increased learner participation in SET activities.

Some exciting science festivals attended by the facility were, the Mpumalanga Science Festival in Mbombela; the Namibian Science Week in Windhoek; the Science Tube in Thohoyando; the National Science Week in Kimberley; the Sasol Techno-X in Sasolburg; the Science Unlimited road shows; the Limpopo Science Festival; SciFest Africa in Grahamstown; and Museum Career Week at the Tswaing Crater Museum.

SAAO’s science advancement strategy resides primarily within the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) Collateral Benefit Programme, which is centred on three core areas:• Education in mathematics, science,

engineering and technology in order to supply the country and the African continent with well-trained and motivated professionals in substantial numbers. This intervention targets schools, universities and teacher training institutions;

PROGRAMME 02

51

GEOSPHERE

BIOSPH

ER

E

ATMOSPHEREHYDROSPHERE

CR

YO

SPHERE

0303

Earth System Science

The Earth is a complex system of interacting physical, chemical and biological processes and provides a natural laboratory whose experiments have been running since the beginning of time.

The Earth system is often represented by interlinking and interacting “spheres” of processes and phenomena. The atmosphere,

hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere form the simplest collection, though some would add the cryosphere as a special element dealing with polar regions and processes, and others would add the anthroposphere emphasising human dimensions and impact on the planet.

Earth system science embraces chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and applied sciences in transcending disciplinary boundaries to treat the Earth as an integrated

system and seeks a deeper understanding of the physical, chemical, biological and human interactions that determine the past, current and future states of the Earth. Earth system science provides a physical basis for understanding the world in which we live and upon which humankind seeks to achieve sustainability.

http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/earthsystem/nutshell/index.html

7. PROGRAMME 03: RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SUPPORT AND ADVANCMENT (RISA)PROGRAMME 03RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SUPPORT AND ADVANCMENT (RISA)

53

PROGRAMME 037. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SUPPORT AND ADVANCMENT (RISA)

RISA is the grant-making programme within the NRF, and translates the science and technology strategies and policies of government into initiatives that support research, researchers and research infrastructure.

Figure 27: RISA structure

7.1. RISA structure

Figure 27 is the RISA structure highlighting the sub-programmes within Programme 3, including special projects. Functionally, and as a product of the RISA renewal process, RISA will in future operate as a matrix structure. By pooling specific skills per ‘project’ versus the traditional silo structure, RISA is able:

• To breach the traditional silos and increase cooperation and communication across the organisation, thereby unlocking resources and talent that were historically inaccessible to the rest of the organisation;

• To enhance the quality of deliverables and serve internal and external customers by running integrated business functions and processes;

• To be more flexible in responding to changes in the delivery environment; and

• To create a dynamic and skilled staff cohort by developing individuals that have a broader perspective and skills set, and are therefore better able to deliver value across a complex but interconnected environment.

RIMS

DST/NRFInternship

Programme

ICSU ROA

GMSAHICD REKFD IRCSpecial Projects

RCCE IEPD ARIC

PROGRAMME 3

NRF CEO

Deputy CEO

* Definitions for acronyms are available on page 116


PART B RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SUPPORT AND ADVANCEMENT (RISA)

The key function of RISA is to ensure that the country has appropriately qualified people and the necessary high-level infrastructure to produce knowledge that can transform the economy of South Africa into one that can compete globally. This is done through:• Investing on a competitive basis in

knowledge, people and infrastructure, including the National Research Facilities;

• Developing research capacity and advancing equity and equality among researchers;

• Promoting the development of institutional capacity at HEIs;

• Providing efficient granting and evaluation systems; and

• Facilitating strategic national and international research partnerships and networks.

The NRF invests in developing these strategic goals so as to have a significant impact on the South African science landscape and to contribute to growing a knowledge economy that will ensure sustainable development for the country. The impact of NRF funding can be seen through the growth in the number of graduations as shown in Figure 28. The NRF funding instruments have resulted in graduation rates for NRF-funded honours, masters and doctoral students increasing by 274%, 502% and 226% respectively between 2002 and 2011.

Figure 28: Graduation rates of NRF-funded honours, masters and doctoral students

Num

ber

of

gra

dua

tes

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

2200

2400

400

200

Honours Masters Doctoral

2002 615 194 115

2003 878 430 168

2004 888 546 187

2005 973 742 237

2006 948 789 247

2007 1136 819 290

2008 1287 965 293

2009 1357 1005 367

2010 1671 1066 394

2011 2305 1169 376

0

PROGRAMME 03

55

7.2. Sources of funding

RISA receives both designated and contract funds which are managed according to the ob-jectives laid down by the respective sponsors. Funds include:• Discretionary funds allocated to the NRF

through the DST Parliamentary grant (core funds);

• Designated funds from the DST for supporting programmes such as the Innovation Bursary Scheme, Post-doctoral Development Programme (PDP), CoEs and SARChI; and

• Contract funds received from various government departments, e.g.: - Department of Higher Education and

Training (DHET) for the Scarce Skills Development Fund;

- Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) for the THRIP programme; and

- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for the Research and Technology Fund;

- Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs, for the partial support of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP).

Figure 29 provides an indication of the income trends. Designated income increased by 69% between 2012/13 and 2013/14 and will continue to increase at a rate of 10% per annum over the three-year MTEF period. The discretionary funds are made up of the MTEF core allocation and other income. Discretionary funds increased by 36% in 2013/14 growth will reduce to an average of 1% year in year over the three-year MTEF period.

Figure 29: Growth rate for RISA funding streams (2010/11–2016/17)

R’ 0

00

MTEF Core IncomeMTEF Designated

IncomeDesignated Income

Additional Government Grant

Other Income Total

2010/11 Actual 307 117 787 205 28 1 444

2011/12 Actual 318 232 726 - 13 1 289

2012/13 Actual 320 259 774 - 17 1 370

2013/14 Estimate 446 448 1 301 - 13 2 208

2014/15 Budget 453 686 1 114 - 17 2 270

2015/16 Budget 474 1 192 1 114 - 17 2 797

2016/17 Budget 459 1 112 1 172 - 18 2 761

1 500 000

2 000 000

2 500 000

3 000 000

1 000 000

500 000

0



The Belmont Forum is a group of the world’s major and emerging funders of global environmental change research and international science councils. The goal of the Belmont Forum is to mobilise international resources and expertise in order to drive global environmental research for Earth system sustainability.

The objective is to catalyse and accele-rate the delivery of international environmental research by aligning and mobilising inter-national resources at a scale that matches the challenges of global environmental change.

The Belmont Forum has adopted the challenge: “To deliver knowledge needed for action to mitigate and adapt to detrimental environmental change and extreme hazardous events.” The primary focus of the Forum is to address the following global priorities: • Coastal vulnerability; • Freshwater security;• Ecosystem services;• Carbon budgets; and• The most vulnerable societies.

Collaborative Research Actions (CRAs) have been developed in support of an integrated research approach that combines natural and social sciences. The CRAs are aimed at leveraging of the Belmont Forum member’s existing investments. In the case of South Africa, the Global Change Research Plan

and the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) initiatives as well as the long-term investment in some of the DST Grand Challenges, will contribute to the relevant CRAs.

In 2011, the Belmont Forum published calls for Coastal Vulnerability and Fresh- water Security. Eleven of the 30 short-listed proposals in Fresh-Water security involved South African researchers either as principal investigators and or research team members. Four of the 25 short-listed proposals in Coastal Vulnerability involved South African researchers and South African-related projects.

Through the International Opportunities Fund (IOF), the partners have pledged a total of €20m in support of these calls. South Africa through the NRF, has pledged €0.50m, a figure that was increased through the successes of South African researchers in this competitive process.

A call was published in 2013 for CRAs related to Food Security and Land Use Change, led by Brazil and France; and E-Infrastructure and Data Management, led by the USA.

South Africa is participating in both CRAs. Again, out of the 34 applications received 12 or 35%, involve South African principal investigators. With respect to

e-Infrastructure, Dr Dale Peters of the University of KwaZulu-Natal represents South African on the international steering committee.

At the 9th meeting of the Belmont Forum hosted by the NRF at the SAAO in Cape Town, in December 2013, the following CRAs were approved for future roll-out: • Climate Services to be led by India and

France and launched in 2014• Artic Sustainability to be driven by the

USA the (NSF) and launched in 2014• Biodiversity to be led by ANR (France) and

DFG (Germany)• Transformation for Sustainability to be

led by the International Social Sciences Council (with Funding from SIDA); South Africa (NRF) and France (ANR)

• Mountain Vulnerability to be led by the USA (NSF) and ANR

South Africa through the NRF has pledged to participate in the Climate Services, and Transformation for Sustainability CRAs. The NRF has also tentatively expressed interest in participating in the Biodiversity CRA pending discussions with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

http://igfagcr.org/index.php/iof-home-page

The Belmont Forum

PROGRAMME 03

57

7.3. Investment in the Human Capacity Development Excellence Pipeline

The NRF remains focused on addressing the needs of researchers across the spectrum of basic, applied and strategic research with an appropriate mix of programmes and funding mechanisms. Figure 30 depicts the Human

Capacity Development Excellence pipeline, which is indicative of the NRF’s investment strategy. The NRF has invested R3,487bn in the excellence pipeline over the period 2010/11 to 2013/14. A further R4,407bn will be invested over the MTEF period. The NRF’s strategy is to grow the pipeline through targeted strategic investment initiatives that will result in:

• Increased numbers of next generation researchers;

• An improvement in student throughput; • Development of emerging researchers;

and • Growth and support of established

researchers.

Discipline based

Next generation researchers Emerging researchers Established researchers Strategic researchers

Figure 30: Human capacity development excellence pipeline (R’ million)

Pipeline Trend (R’million)

Next Generation Emerging Established Strategic investments

YearStudentship

SupportThuthuka PhD Track Postdoc

Thuthuka Post-PhD

trackThuthuka

Rating track

Competitive Funding Unrated

Incentive Funding Rated

Competitive Funding Rated

Blue Skies Research

Targeted strategic

investments SARChI CoE

2010/11 Actual 307.3 4.2 48.3 2.4 5.7 5.2 71.0 5.1 3.5 49.7 141.4 68.8

2011/12 Actual 222.9 5.4 39.8 6.0 6.0 5.1 83.7 14.9 8.4 44.1 156.0 72.5

2012/13 Actual 328.1 7.4 47.6 9.3 5.5 6.4 97.6 29.1 3.1 69.2 170,6 83.2

2013/14 Estimate 444.0 13.3 76.2 17.7 7.1 10.4 114.0 37.9 5.5 138.3 296.7 91.2

2014/15 Budget 436.7 18.1 96.1 24.6 8.6 22.3 110.0 62.3 11.7 100.0 354.1 144.6

2015/16 Budget 450.9 18.3 99.7 24.8 8.4 22.9 110.0 64.5 12.3 101.1 381.3 142.0

2016/17 Budget 485.8 18.4 110.7 24.7 8.4 40.0 110.0 99.7 11.7 104.6 407.3 160.5

CoESARChITargetedstrategic

investments

Thuthuka PhD track

PostdocThuthuka Post-PhD

track

Thuthuka rating track

Competitive funding for

unrated researchers

Incentive funding for

rated researchers

Competitivefunding for

rated researchers

Blue Skiesresearch

Student Support• Free-

standing scholarships

• Grantholder linked bursaries

Strategic Focus



7.4. Funding instruments in support of the Human Capacity Development Excellence Pipeline

7.4.1. Next generation researchers

The investment in next generation researchers is through the award of freestanding scholarships, grantholder linked bursaries and academic development programmes, such as the Thuthuka PhD Track aimed at improving the qualifications of

academic staff (Figure 31). The freestanding scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, to students undertaking full-time studies. Between 2010/11 and 2012/13 the NRF invested R935.6m in this area. The 42% increase in investment in 2013/14 in the area of development grants is due to a once-off injection in support of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the investment in Astronomy Human Capacity Development (HCD) bursaries and the commitment of prior year unspent funds to the NRF Professional Development Programme.

The growth in freestanding scholarships is attributed to an across-the-board increase in DST Innovation honours and masters scholarships, as well as the growth in the renewable and sustainable energy scholarship initiative. Over the three-year MTEF period a further R2,032bn will be invested in next generation researchers. This increase includes an additional investment of R204m over the two outer years of the MTEF period. This money will be used to increase bursary numbers and quantum.

Figure 31: Investments in next generation researchers (2010/11–2016/17)

R m

illio

n

150

200

250

300

350

100

50

0Free-standing scholarships

Grantholder-linked bursaries

Other development grants

Thuthuka PhD trackIncrease bursary

numbers and values

2010/11 Actual 198.1 109.2 25.5 4.2

2011/12 Actual 102.4 93.0 27.5 5.4

2012/13 Actual 243.6 84.4 35.0 7.4

2013/14 Estimate 333.6 110.4 68.3 13.3

2014/15 Budget 307.0 129.7 132.6 18.1

2015/16 Budget 315.7 135.2 132.0 18.3 97.9

2016/17 Budget 325.1 160.7 135.5 18.4 106.2

PROGRAMME 03

59

7.4.2. Emerging Researchers

Emerging researchers benefit from a range of targeted funding instruments. Key to the development of a targeted approach for research enhancement at each institution is the understanding of the strategic vision of the institution. An assessment and identification of research niches and available capacity to conduct research and provide research supervision to postgraduate students is necessary. Such information will be gathered through various means, including engagement and partnership building, intelligence gathering and the establishment of research funding trends across the NRF. The expected outcomes include the initiation of flagship programmes aligned to institutional research priorities. This aligns with the NRF strategic objectives of building a competitive knowledge base and capacity development. The instruments initiated are as follows:

Research mentoring initiative: The DST has made funding available for a research mentoring programme. This new funding instrument is targeted at emerging researchers in order to grow the next cadre of researchers and mentors within the South African science system. Through this programme:• A network of established researchers

willing to serve as mentors to emerging researchers will be established;

• Group and peer mentoring that may include writing workshops, proposal development and related research capacity building initiatives will be implemented;

• The grants will be linked to tangible outputs; and

• An amount of R10m was available for the 2013/14 financial year.

Collaborative postgraduate training initiative: This funding instrument is aimed at supporting postgraduate human capital programmes in strategic areas. The objectives set out in the South African Human Resource Development Strategy (2012–2030) on developing and increasing the number of skilled personnel in science, engineering and technology are a clear indication of the commitment of the country towards research, development and innovation in science and technology. The supporting platforms for the realisation of these HRD objectives require three critical areas for successful implementation:• Human capital: the development of

appropriate expertise and skills is crucial;• Infrastructure: appropriate infrastructure

is the cornerstone of an effective training programme, enabling technology transfer and human capacity development initiatives; and

• International and industry partnerships: strategic partnerships with industry and foreign partners are necessary for tangible and intangible technology transfer and a viable and sustainable human capacity development initiative.

This funding instrument is designed to make provision for these critical areas, with preference given to partnerships that include rural-based and historically disadvantaged institutions.

Thuthuka initiative: This involves postdoctoral and rating track grantholder linked and freestanding postdoctoral fellowships. There has been growth

Through a partnership between the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), the Geodesy division of HartRAO and the South Africa Earth Observation Network (SAEON), a seismic vault was constructed at the HartRAO facility. A total of 12 volts will be constructed at locations across Southern Africa.

Prof. Makhubela (DVC at TUT) and a seismology student inside the seismic vault



in the investment in emerging researchers with a 68% increase in funding between 2012/13 and 2013/14. The bulk of the increased investment has been aimed at postgraduate training; Thuthuka post-PhD track and rating track; and competitive funding as well as other grants aimed at emerging researchers. The Thuthuka initiative is discussed in more detail in Section 7.7.1.1 on Page 66. The investment

in emerging researchers will continue through the MTEF period with an average investment of R180m year on year.

The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) and International Collaboration are cross-cutting funding instruments that can be accessed by both emerging and established researchers. During

the MTEF period, a further R758.7m will be invested through the cross-cutting initiatives. THRIP will specifically contribute R424m of the total investment. THRIP is funded by the dti. There is a marked increase in the level of investment in International Collaboration, which includes the investment in African collaborations.. There has been an increase of 174% between 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Figure 32: Investment in emerging researchers (2010/11–2016/17)

Cross-cutting instruments

R m

illio

n 100

120

140

160

60

40

80

20

0

Free-standing postdocs

Grantholder-linked

postdocs

Thuthuka postdoc track

Thuthuka rating Track

Other emerging

grants

Competitive funding for

unrated researchers

THRIPInternational Collaboration

2010/11 Actual 31.1 17.2 2.4 5.7 56.0 5.2 140.1 66.6

2011/12 Actual 23.6 16.2 6.0 6.0 19.2 5.1 141.1 60.6

2012/13 Actual 30.5 17.1 9.3 5.5 13.8 6.4 148.9 49.5

2013/14 Estimate 55.0 21.2 17.7 7.1 18.0 10.4 146.3 135.6

2014/15 Budget 70.5 25.6 24.6 7.1 15.0 22.3 139.1 103.0

2015/16 Budget 72.3 27.4 24.8 8.4 15.4 22.9 141.8 108.1

2016/17 Budget 79.4 31.3 24.7 8.4 20.8 40.0 143.5 123.1

PROGRAMME 03

61

33. The values exclude student support expenditure and reflect only project operating costs. There has been an average growth of 9% over the period 2010/11 to 2013/14.

The NRF is committed to the support and growth of the cohort of established researchers. The organisation recognises that established researchers not only contribute to the generation of knowledge but also provide supervision

and training to next generation and emerging researchers. Supervisory capacity is a potential bottleneck in the growth of the excellence pipeline. However, a sustainable investment in established researchers ensures that the pipeline has a self-sustaining continuity. Over the MTEF period, the total investment in this area will amount to R622m, i.e. an investment of R193m in 2014/15 with an average growth of 10% over the period.

Figure 32 is a summary of the investments in the support of emerging researchers.

7.4.3. Established Researchers

The investment in established researchers is in essence an investment in promoting research at the high end of the human capital development and knowledge generation pipeline. The quantum is indicated in Figure

Figure 32: Investment in emerging researchers (2010/11–2016/17)

Figure 33: Investment in established researchers (2010/11–2016/17))

R m

illio

n

20

40

60

80

120

0

Incentive fundingCompetitive funding for rated

ResearchersFocused Research Grants Blue skies research

2010/11 Actual 71.0 5.1 59.4 3.5

2011/12 Actual 83.7 14.9 47.1 8.4

2012/13 Actual 97.6 29.1 17.9 3.1

2013/14 Estimate 114.0 37.9 18.6 5.5

2014/15 Budget 110.0 62.3 9.8 11.7

2015/16 Budget 110.0 64.5 10.0 12.3

2016/17 Budget 110.0 99.7 10.3 11.7

100



7.4.4. Strategic investment instruments and areas

Figure 34 gives an overview of funding investments in strategic research platforms.

For the period 2010/11 to 2012/13, there was an investment of R855.5m. Investment grew by 63% between 2012/13 and 2013/14. This was related to the take-up of research chairs (SARChI) within HEIs. Over the MTEF period,

R1,142bn will be invested in SARChI and R447m will be invested in CoEs. Additional CoEs have been approved and will be implemented over the MTEF period

Figure 34: Growth in the NRF strategic investment instruments (2010/11–2016/17)

R m

illio

n

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

0

Targeted Strategic Investment Areas SARChI Centres of Excellence

2010/11 Actual 49.7 141.4 68.8

2011/12 Actual 44.1 156.0 72.5

2012/13 Actual 69.2 170.6 83.2

2013/14 Estimate 138.3 296.7 91.2

2014/15 Budget 100.0 354.1 144.6

2015/16 Budget 101.1 381.3 142.0

2016/17 Budget 104.6 407.3 160.5

PROGRAMME 03

63

7.5. RISA Investment in Infrastructure

RISA invests in the placement of equipment and infrastructure development at universities, and provides grants that enable researchers to access equipment both nationally and internationally. Although South Africa boasts pockets of world-class research facilities at selected institutions, significant investments are required to create and maintain a research environment within which world-class research can be realised. A breakdown of the intended investment in research infrastructure is provided in Figure 35.

For the period 2010/11 to 2013/14, a total of R671m was invested in this area. A further R732m will be invested over the three- year MTEF period. These figures include infrastructure investment in the National Research Facilities. The projected decrease in investment in the 2016/17 financial year is due to the National Research Facilities infrastructure grant programme coming to an end.

Figure 35: RISA Investment in Access to and Acquisition of Cutting-Edge Research

Equipment

Cutting-edge research equipment and collaboration with regard to equipment usage investment

2010/11 Actual

2011/12 Actual

2012/13 Actual

2013/14 Estimate

2014/15 Budget

2015/16 Budget

2016/17 Budget

R’ m

illio

n

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

186.5 194.1

91.5

199.5

257.7

287.8

186.9



Table 13: RISA high-level objectives (2013/14–2016/17)

2014/15 OBJECTIVES

DESCRIPTION BUDGET (R million)


The objectives of Programme 3 are set

out in Table 13. The objectives are related to the overall strategic objectives of the NRF, and performance against objectives

will be accounted for against the annual budget. Table 14 is a list of high-level key performance indicators for Programme 3.


BUDGET (R million)

2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Human Capacity Development The development of human capital in order to:• Drive research strategy; and• Meet the transformation objective of the National

System of Innovation

1 222 1 261 1 491 1 588

2. Research Infrastructure Providing cutting edge research platforms and technology 229 278 308 208

3. Knowledge Generation The NRF supports knowledge generation through:• The creation of capacity; • Investment in new fields of knowledge; and• Investment in advancing existing fields of knowledge.

688 796 778 934

4. Internationalisation and Mobility Facilitating national and international research partnership networks

177 141 147 164

5. Support and Administration Providing world-class grant administration, evaluation and evaluation and rating systems to support the business objectives of the programme

73 54 59 43

TOTAL 2 389 2 530 2 784 2 937

PROGRAMME 03

65

7.7. Plans to meet objectives

RISA promotes and supports research and research capacity development in all fields of research, innovation and technology. This is achieved by investing on a competitive basis in research, people and infrastructure. Excellence and transformation are the cornerstones of all funding decisions.

In keeping with the ethos of excellence, the RISA division underwent a renewal exercise carried out in the 2012/13 financial year.

Initiated by the NRF review recommendation (2010), the renewal was largely driven by the need to transform the perceived bureaucracy within RISA into a responsive client-centric division. The division is now beginning to operate in a fluid matrix structure in order to best support the delivery environment while optimally leveraging existing human capacity. Optimised skills utilisation enables RISA to keep overheads as low as possible. RISA develops institutional research capabilities and infrastructure in parallel with developing the appropriate human capital to drive the research and development

strategies within the NSI. The RISA objectives are met through the use of focused instruments.

RISA’s contribution to the NSI is clustered into five main objectives that cut across the various funding instruments. These objectives are directly linked to the organisation’s strategy, and include:

7.7.1. Human Capacity Development (HCD)

RISA is specifically mandated to develop intellectual capital within the NSI in line



2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Number of ISI publications published by NRF-funded researchers 5 188 5 500 5 700 6 000 6 200

2. Available grant funding awarded 84% 90% 90% 90% 90%

3. Number and proportion of NRF-funded researchers from designated groups to total number of NRF-funded researchers *

Black% 26% 31% 34% 37% 40%

no. 790 1 185 1300 1450 1650

Women% 34% 41% 44% 47% 50%

no. 1 044 1 567 1700 1850 2075

4. Number and proportion of postgraduate students from designated groups to total NRF-funded postgraduate students *

Black% 63% 62% 65% 68% 71%

no. 5 541 6 914 7 400 7 850 8 150

Woman% 52% 51% 53% 54% 55%

no. 4 557 5 722 6 100 6 250 6 350

5. Total infrastructure investment (Rand) 91 516 19 225 257 672 287 758 187 074

6. Rating applications reviewed 786 790 800 815 830

7. Number of grant applications processed through NRF Online 5 634 6 176 7 846 8 663 8 663

8. Number of postgraduate students from designated groups to total NRF-funded postgraduate students

Black 3 397 4 200 4 600 4 700 4 800

Woman 2 031 2 645 2 665 2 680 2 800

Table 14: RISA key performance indicators (2012/13–2016/17)

For the period 2010/11 to 2013/14 a total of R668m was invested in this area. A further R732m will be invested over the three-year MTEF period. These figures exclude infrastructure investment in the National Research Facilities. The decrease of R110m in 2016/17 is due to the Strategic Infrastructure Grant funding not yet being confirmed. *Targets adjusted upwards in oder to stretch performance towards achieving transformation as agreed with the DST.



support at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT);

• African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), which builds capacity in specific research areas, such as mathematical modelling and computation, in a multidisciplinary context; and

• DST–NRF Internship Programme, which addresses the skills shortages in the science system in response to the priorities outlined in the 2002 strategy for Human Resource Development for the Public Service.

Figure 36 is an indication of the investment trend in the human capacity development from 2010/11 to 2013/14. A cumulative investment of R1,379bn was made in 2013/14. Over the MTEF period, a further investment of R1,616bn will be made at an average of R538m per year for three years.

through equity and career growth opportunities; and attract young scientists and professionals of the highest calibre to stimulate innovation through research;

• Professional Development Programme (PDP), which encourages science councils and the National Research Facilities to undertake science- and technology-related skills development; attracts and retains young scientists and professionals of the highest level in the national system of innovation; and supports young scientists and professionals in basic and applied research to promote innovation;

• NRF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, which provide financial and career support to postdoctoral research fellows in specified disciplines;

• French–South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), which provides financial and human capacity development

with the NRF’s transformation agenda. RISA adopts the following focused instruments to achieve this objective. Through the objective of Human Capacity Development (HCD), the organisation attempts to:• Transform the science, engineering and

technology (SET) workforce in terms of gender, race and persons with disabilities;

• Recognise designated groups such as women, black and disabled researchers, particularly emerging researchers, as independent researchers; and

• Attract and retain excellence in research and innovation at South African universities.

The following initiatives were developed to address the objective of HCD and will be utilised over the reporting period:

7.7.1.1. Institutional development

The HCD funding instruments targeting next generation and emerging researcher support include: • NRF scholarships, which provide financial

support to students at honours, masters and doctoral levels;

• Scarce Skills Development Fund (SSDF), which supports students at honours, masters and doctoral levels in areas where skills are scarce;

• Innovation Bursary Scheme, which provides scholarships to students at honours, masters and doctoral levels;

• Innovation postdoctoral research fellowships, which provide funding to postdoctoral research fellows; enable world-class experience in strategic and applied research; support transformation

Figure 36: Investment in the Human Capacity Programme (HCP) (2010/11–2016/17)

R m

illio

n

600

700

800

500

400

300

200

100

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

0

PROGRAMME 03

67

researchers are able to nominate final-year undergraduates, honours, masters, doctoral students and postdoctoral research fellows conducting research on NRF-funded research projects. The competitive scholarships are awarded to individual candidates following a peer review process of proposals. In addition to these, institutions are able to manage the process at institutional level using block grants provided by the NRF. Block grants are awarded to all higher education institutions to provide financial support for honours and masters candidates. The number of grants awarded to each institution will be determined by demonstrated historical uptake and successful management of the grants according to set criteria.

Research Career Advancement Fellowships

The DST has made available funding for Research Career Advancement Fellowships in order to strengthen research capacity and scientific research leadership in science, engineering and technology. This will be done by creating positions for senior postdoctoral fellows who have shown interest in furthering their careers in research and academia and have demonstrated the potential or ability for research leadership. A total of 50 awards will be committed in 2014 and a call for a further 50 awards made for take up in 2015.

The Thuthuka programme is a key instrument within HCD and aims to increase the number of PhDs as a percentage of the population. The expanded Thuthuka funding framework, which includes the rating track funding stream, is geared to support the cohort of emerging black and women researchers. However, the expanded Thuthuka framework is open to applications from all race and gender groups. The idea behind this initiative is, firstly, to increase the number of PhDs among South African academics, and secondly, to shift the demographics of the rated researcher complement to be more representative of the country’s population. The investment in the Thuthuka programme is shown in Figure 37.

R134m has been invested between 2010/11 and 2013/14. This investment will continue to grow by 33% in 2014/15. A further investment of R130m will be made in years 2 and 3 of the MTEF period.

The NRF recognises numerous vulnerable disciplines and endeavours to provide support for areas such as nursing sciences, education research and statistics. The NRF has co-funded an intervention with SANTRUST and Irish Aid to enable women to enter PhD studies in the nursing sciences through a focused pre-doctoral programme.

Block grants to institutions

The NRF provides financial support to students and fellows through grantholder linked scholarships and a suite of competitive funding categories and fellowships. In the case of grantholder-linked bursaries,

Figure 37: The Investment in the Thuthuka Programme 2010/11 to 2016/17

R m

illio

n

60

70

50

40

30

20

10

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

0



The objectives of the Research Career Advancement Fellowship are to: • Provide career a career path for

postdoctoral researchers to pursue a career in research;

• Create opportunity for these emerging researchers to be mentored and groomed for research leadership and academic positions;

• Create opportunity for senior post-doctoral researchers to strengthen their research track record in their chosen research area and to establish themselves as independent researchers;

• Create the opportunity for these emerging researchers to gain experience in postgraduate training;

• Effect a transformation in the demographic composition of established researchers in South Africa, with respect to race, gender and persons with disabilities; and

• Develop a cohort of potential candidates for the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI).

Special call for students: non-South African citizens and students with disabilities

The ministerial guidelines stipulate targets for the awarding of bursaries and scholarships by the NRF. Transformation remains a challenge across the National System of Innovation (NSI). The NRF received ministerial guidelines for improving equity in the distribution of DST/NRF bursaries and fellowships. The guidelines have been reviewed and the NRF is already compliant in many areas. The NRF has prioritised the implementation of the ministerial guidelines commencing in 2014 for NRF bursaries and fellowships. The NRF is committed to transformation and will continue to work towards achieving its targets. For the first time, the Innovation Bursary Scheme was opened for non-South African students. A special call under the Innovation Bursary Scheme targeting students with disabilities will be opened in 2014. Table 15 shows the targets that the NRF will meet in 2014/15.

Students Target

South African (citizens and permanent residents) 87

Southern African Development Community (SADC) (excluding South Africa) 5

Rest of Africa 4

Outside of Africa 4

Students with disabilities 4

Table 15: Innovation bursary scheme student targets (2014/15)

PROGRAMME 03

69

Figure 38: Thematic distribution of the

Chairs awarded in 2012/13

Technology Missions

Science Missions

Priority Research Areas

S&T for Poverty Alleviation

Innovation, Engineering and Technology Development

Open Category

Directed

15%

13%

10%

13%10%

34%

5%

7.7.1.2. South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI)

SARChI was established in 2006 by the DST and is managed by the NRF. SARChI is a strategic instrument that focuses on the creation of supervisory capacity in support of the human capital development goals of the NRF. SARChI aims to:• Strengthen the scientific research and

innovation capacity of South Africa;• Attract and retain excellent researchers

and scientists to public universities;• Strengthen and improve the quality and

quantity of research and innovation outputs in research areas of national importance;

• Create research career pathways for highly skilled, high-quality young and mid-career researchers; and

• Strengthen and improve the research and innovation capacity of universities for producing high-quality postgraduate students, research and innovation outputs.

SARChI has a total of 157 awarded Chairs; 128 Chairs that have approved incumbents, 73% of whom were recruited nationally. A total of 21% of the incumbents are female and 28% are black. A total of 115 Chairs are in full operation.

The thematic distribution and allocation of the Chairs aim to support the national priorities according to the DST’s Ten-Year Innovation Plan and the mandate of the NRF. Figure 38 shows the distribution and allocation of the Chairs in line with DST imperatives and the respective areas of research.

The programme has directly contributed to the transformation of the system by increasing the number of black and female researchers. Since inception, the number of black postgraduate students has increased by 400% and that of female students by 450% as indicated in Table 16.

Table 16: Gender and race statistics of SARChI-supported postgraduate students

2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Number of operating Research Chairs 34 69 69 77 74 90

Female 40 (36%) 150 (45%) 202 (47%) 222 (43%) 256 (49%) 223 (49%)

Male 68 (62%) 183 (55%) 230 (53%) 299 (57%) 266 (51%) 236 (51%)

Not specified 2 (2%) - - - - -

201 147 154 172

Black 52 (47%) 192 (58%) 231 (53%) 295 (57%) 299 (57%) 265 (58%)

White 55 (50%) 140 (42%) 197 (46%) 223 (43%) 220 (42%) 194 (42%)

Not specified 3 (3%) 1 (0%) 4 (1%) 3 (1%) 3 (1%) 0

Total 110 (100%) 333 (100%) 432 (100%) 521 (100%) 522 (100%) 459 (100%)



Figure 39: SARChI investment trend (2010/11 to 2016/17)

SARChI

2010/11 Actual

2011/12 Actual

2012/13 Actual

2013/14 Estimate

2014/15 Budget

2015/16 Budget

2016/17 Budget

R m

illio

n

350

450

400

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Figure 39 is an indication of the growth in investment in the SARChI programme. There was a 74% increase in investment in SARChI between 2012/13 and 2013/14. Over the MTEF period, an additional R1,142bn will be invested in the programme at an average of R381m a year for three years.

The NRF has other agreements in support of research chairs in partnership with private companies, which are not within the ambit of the DST/NRF SARChI agreement. The companies include:• FirstRand Foundation;• Anglo American Chairman’s Fund; and • Tshikululu Social Investments.

Although targeting different sectors, these chairs are established to enhance knowledge production and build capacity.

South African PhD (SA PhD) ProjectThe objective of this project is to increase the number of research doctoral graduates in South Africa in order to strengthen the academic and research and development (R&D) workforce. This is done by, inter alia, fostering public–private partnerships for human capital development and promoting collaborative partnerships for international research. In pursuit of this, over the reporting period, the project will:• Host more SA PhD regional conferences,

which provide participants with a networking platform, provide valuable information on doctoral opportunities and offer guidance on completing doctoral studies;

• Initiate a research mentoring programme; • Expand the discipline-specific doctoral

forums.

• Publicise doctoral training funding programmes and sponsors;

• Establish new partnerships and sponsorships for South African PhD Project activities and scholarships;

• Administer and monitor partnership scholarship programmes such as the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam–NRF Desmond Tutu Doctoral Programme and the NRF–Fulbright South Africa and Commonwealth Scholarship Council Partnerships; and

• Track the progression of the South African PhD Project participants using data from the Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS).

The NRF will invest an additional R10 m in the SA PhD Project over the MTEF period.

Dr Elizabeth Rasekoala giving a presentation on PhD studies in Durban

141.5156.0

170.6

296.7

354.1381.3

407.3

PROGRAMME 03

71

invests in and supports the National Research Facilities. The organisation also places emphasis on research infrastructure investment in HEIs.

Figure 40 is an indication of the quantum of funds invested in infrastructure within the NSI. Between 2010/11 and 2013/14, the NRF has invested R4,181bn in the acquisition of research infrastructure. An investment to

the value of R2,084bn has been made in the promotion of high- end research platforms, through the support of the National Research Facilities. The investment in the SKA SA project for the construction of MeerKAT has amounted to R1,424bn over the same period. Over the three-year MTEF period, the NRF has committed to invest a further R4,476bn of which R2,033bn has been allocated to SKA.

7.7.2. Research Infrastructure

The extent to which progress can be made in the areas of human capacity development and knowledge generation hinges on the level of investment in quality infrastructure. For this reason, the NRF sees the provision of cutting-edge research and innovation platforms as a strategic goal. In support of this goal, the NRF

Figure 40: Investment in equipment and infrastructure (2010/11–2016/17)

R m

illio

n

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

0

Cutting-edge research equipment investments

Local and international collaboration with regard to

equipment usage

High-end research Platforms National Research Facilities

SKA investment (Construction of MeerKAT and KAT-7)

2010/11 Actual 186.1 0.4 502.5 187.5

2011/12 Actual 193.2 0.9 487.8 252.1

2012/13 Actual 90.4 1.2 546.9 337.3

2013/14 Estimate 192.8 6.8 547.4 648.0

2014/15 Budget 250.3 7.4 555.5 641.6

2015/16 Budget 280.3 7.5 585.9 694.4

2016/17 Budget 179.5 7.4 569.3 697.8



The NRF utilises specific instruments to invest in the provision of cutting-edge research equipment at the HEIs and the National Research Facilities. These initiatives focus on establishing enabling infrastructure, including state-of-the-art research equipment by:• Providing access to research equipment

and facilities through mobility and research grants;

• Promoting collaboration among researchers at universities and the National Research Facilities through collaborative research grants;

• Supporting flagship research projects in strategic areas, such as nanotechnology; and

• Developing specialised technical expertise within existing and developing strategic platforms.

The investment in high-end research equipment

through the National Equipment Programme (NEP) and National Nanotechnology Equipment Programme (NNEP) has supported the acquisition, upgrade and development of state-of-the-art equipment across public higher education and research institutions, and thereby contributed to the enhancement of new knowledge production and technology innovation in the country.

The TechnoScene Review commissioned by the DST made the following overall finding:“The NRF must be commended for putting into place under the circumstances of a reasonably short period of time processes and procedures to efficiently manage two substantive programmes such as the NEP and NNEP. This seems to be functioning well and from comments by grantholders and research administrations they are most appreciative of the support and assistance received from NRF staff. The time seems opportune now for the

NRF to focus its attention on a variety of value adding dimensions to the management of the programmes.”

The investment through the NEP and NNEP has been growing steadily since 2010/11. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and while grant values are capped in principle, the grant values may fluctuate depending on the specific proposal.

Table 17 is an indication of the number of grants awarded against the total annual investment between 2010/11 and 2012/13. For the MTEF period, it is projected that the NEP will make the following awards:• 35 grants at an average value of

R3,87m will be awarded for the 2014/15 year;

• 36 grants at an average value of R3,99m will be awarded for the 2015/16 year; and

• 36 grants at an average value of R4,2m will be awarded for the 2016/17 year.

The NNEP is projected to make the following awards over the MTEF period:• 10 grants at an average value of

R3,38m will be awarded for the 2014/15 year;

• 14 grants at an average value of R2,56m will be awarded for the 2015/16 year; and

• 14 grants at an average value of R2,69m will be awarded for the 2016/17 year

The total investment through these funding instruments over the MTEF period will be R538m.

Financial Year

NEP NNEP Total NEP/NNEP

Investment (R mil)*

Number of Grants

NEP Investment

(R mil)

Number of Grants

NNEP Investment

(R mil)

Actuals 2010/11 28 64.9 8 29.2 94.1

2011/12 23 60.9 10 44.0 104.9

2012/13 28 110.8 4 22.5 133.4

Projected 2013/14 35 123.6 10 35.8 159.4

2014/15 35 135.3 10 33.8 169.1

2015/16 36 143.5 14 35.8 179.4

2016/17 36 151.1 14 37.7 188.9

Table 17: NEP and NNEP investments (2010/11–2016/17)

*Excludes allocated investment to National Research Facilities

PROGRAMME 03

73

to collaborate across disciplines and institutions. CoE’s support collaboration on long-term projects that are locally relevant and internationally competitive in order to enhance the pursuit of research excellence and capacity development. CoEs have become a common research funding instrument, having already been established in several countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United States of America.

In 2004, the DST and the NRF signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for the

establishment and management of CoEs. As strategic instruments for knowledge generation and human capital development CoEs aim to:• Promote knowledge and human capital

in areas of strategic importance to South Africa;

• Promote collaborative research;• Promote and develop interdisciplinary

research;• Systematically develop a creative

research training environment that is internationally competitive;

It must also be noted that some instruments, such as the SARChI and the CoE programmes also provide research infrastructure in support of the core focus of the programme.

7.7.3. Knowledge Generation

In order to facilitate the advancement of existing knowledge and develop new fields of knowledge, RISA must constantly survey the research landscape within the NSI, perform a transdisciplinary analysis of existing research areas, track and analyse research trends globally and review the needs within the NSI in order to facilitate the generation of knowledge.

It should be noted that most of the knowledge -generating funding instruments within the NRF serve a dual function: • To generate new and/or grow the

knowledge base; and • Build capacity for research continuity.

Figure 41 shows the process followed by RISA in order to positively effect change and ensure that the knowledge generated is valuable and relevant both nationally and globally.

Based on the process above, targeted funding instruments are developed and will be employed over the MTEF period to stimulate knowledge generation within the system. The following sections describe examples of the funding instruments that are used to pursue this goal.

7.7.3.1. Centres of Excellence (CoE)

Centres of Excellence are physical or virtual research entities that concentrate existing capacity and resources to enable researchers

Figure 41: The Knowledge generation process

THE KNOWLEDGE GENERATION

PROCESS

Promote active interaction among

researchers within and across

disciplines and knowledge fields

Investigate, map and analyse

research interests and trends within

and across disciplines and

knowledge fields

Strengthen scientific and professional

organisations serving the South African research

community

Facilitate the expansion of the

frontiers of existing knowledge and creation of new

knowledge

Refine or re-define calls for

proposals in light of developments and

interventions



• Strive for the highest standards of quality, international competitiveness and esteem of their science;

• Diffuse knowledge to where it is needed.

In its implementation, the instrument has the following objectives:• Ensure the integration of several smaller

and related research initiatives into large science programmes;

• Exploit the competitive advantage vested in outstanding researchers;

• Raise the quality, international competitiveness, visibility and esteem of South African science, e.g. through an increase in the global share of research outputs;

• Achieve economies of scale through the optimisation of resources and effort by sharing personnel, equipment, data, ideas, etc;

• Ensure secure and stable funding for research and dissemination; and

• Allow for planned, strategic, long-term research.

The investment in the CoEs has increased at an average of 10% between 2010/11 and 2013/14. An additional R447m will be invested over the MTEF period. Figure 42 shows the increased investment in the CoE programme year-on-year.It should be noted that the investment in CoEs will increase by 58% in year 1 of the MTEF period (2014/15).

The CoE programme seeks to enable researchers to collaborate across disciplines on long-term projects that are locally relevant and

internationally competitive in order to enhance the pursuit of research excellence and HCD. The centres have grown in the past decade, with a total of nine CoEs and an institute. The institute (National Institute of Theoretical Physics) is managed and operated like a centre of excellence, and is being established to address the need to conduct research in a field that is aligned to the NRDS.

During 2012/13, a review of the DST/NRF Centres of Excellence programme was conducted in order to evaluate

the performance and success of the programme and address areas that need to be improved in order to enhance the CoEs’ international competitiveness in terms of research outputs and capacity building. The review panel interacted with 70 stakeholders from the National Planning Commission, the DST, CoE boards, universities hosting the CoEs, CoE funders, CoE directors, and representatives of the CoE stakeholder community, postgraduate students and NRF staff members. The review report is currently being finalised.

Figure 42: Investment trends in CoEs (2010/11–2016/17)

Centres of Excellence

2010/11 Actual

2011/12 Actual

2012/13 Actual

2013/14 Estimate

2014/15 Budget

2015/16 Budget

2016/17 Budget

R’ m

illio

n

140

160

180

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

68.8 72.5

83.291.2

144.6 142.0

160.5

PROGRAMME 03

75

The National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NIThEP) is a national facility that leads research and capacity development in theoretical physics. NITheP is operated as a centre of excellence accommodating the hub-and-spokes model for scarce skills development across the country.

Figure 43 is a list of CoEs supported by the NRF.

Figure 43: CoEs currently managed and funded through the NRF

Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (hosted by Stellenbosch University)

Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials (hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand)

Birds as Key to Biodiversity Conservation at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute (hosted by the University of Cape Town)

Centre of Excellence in Catalysis (hosted by the University of Cape Town)

Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis (TB) Research (co-hosted by University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and University of the Witwatersrand)

Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (hosted by the University of Pretoria)

Applied Centre for Climate and Earth Systems Science (ACCESS) (hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)

South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) (hosted by Stellenbosch University)

Palaeosciences Centre of Excellence (hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand)

National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NIThEP) (co-hosted by Stellenbosch University of Unversity of KwaZulu-Natal and University of the Witwatersrand)



7.7.3.2. Fostering Research and Industry Collaboration

In support of high-end knowledge genera-tion, RISA also supports innovation for commercialisation and is often instrumental in informing policy and legislation around innovation. By complementing the innovation support interventions and programmes initiated by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII), the NRF ensures that the benefits of knowledge generated through its focused funding instruments are channelled back into benefiting the community, the NSI and South African society.

In this area, the organisation focuses on societal well-being in areas of sustainability, poverty alleviation, food security, community security, housing, governance and health with a particular emphasis on HCD. RISA manages the following focused initiatives:

The centres are making significant inroads in disseminating knowledge through student support. Table 18 is a summary of postgraduate students supported at the CoEs over the past six years. There has been a 65% increase in the number of students supported at the CoEs. In the 2012/13 financial year, 52% of the students supported were black and 43% were female.

There will be five new CoEs over the MTEF period. Three of the CoEs have predetermined disciplines which are:• Food Security;• Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)

Policy and Measurement; and• Mathematical and Statistical SciencesThe remaining two CoEs are open to any discipline, with one being broadly allocated to the Social Sciences or Humanities domain.

CoE Outputs 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Postgraduate students supported

395 401 418 476 492 652

Female students 170 192 199 239 257 284

Black students 211 206 229 243 240 341

Table 18: Postgraduate Students Supported By Centres of Excellence

PROGRAMME 03

77

mutually beneficial manner, industry and researchers in public-funded research institutions. Research is done in science, engineering and technology in order to provide technology solutions for industry, and in the process produce targeted highly skilled human capital for industry. In support of increasing capacity, the programme will provide bursaries from 2014/15 so as to encourage students to participate and benefit from the programme.

• Research and Technology Fund (RTF) funded by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). The investment fund will be guided by the Integrated Growth and Development Plan (IGDP). In this regard, projects to be funded would need to demonstrate contributions to the following:- Research and innovation system

that supports a growing commercial sector and a needy smallholder sector;

- Maximising the benefits flowing from R&D through well-coordinated R&D projects that are aligned to government and industry priorities;

- Addressing capacity constraints in the sector and dealing with difficulties to acquire and retain scientists; security/improved production systems to address the needs of smallholder farmers; competitiveness/innovation to address the needs of smallholder farmers/product development;

- Technology transfer and rural development;

- Market access and profitability;

• Energy Human Capital Development and Knowledge Generation (EHCD&KG) Programme, which is a cross-cutting programme that has been formed as a consequence of consolidating the following programmes: South African Nuclear Human Asset and Research programme (SANHARP), the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Scholarships (RSES), the Masters in Accelerator and Nuclear Science (MANUS), the Masters in Material Science (MatSci) and the Doctoral Studies in Energy Efficiency (DSEE).

• Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics (BFG) Programme, funded by the DST with the aim of supporting bioinformatics applications in biotechnology projects in line with national priorities as set out in the South African Biotechnology Strategy and the DST Ten-Year plan. The programme’s strategic objectives include: - Creating a pool of postgraduate

students equipped to support the South African biotechnology sector;

- Generating bioinformatics solutions and knowledge relevant to the South African biotechnology industry;

- Supporting projects funded through the various biotechnology initiatives (BRICS, COEs, Research Chairs, etc.)

- Promoting collaboration between academic institutions as well as between academia and industry

• Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP), funded by the dti, brings together, in a

- Commercialisation, value addition and agro processing; and

- Protection and enhancement of natural resources.

• Energy Research Programme (ERP) According to the Department of Energy’s Policy-Adjusted Integrated Resources Plan on Electricity 2010 (IRP-2010), 42% of all new electricity-generating capacity in the country will come from renewable sources (including wind, solar, hydro) over the next 20 years. South Africa can leverage its geographic advantages with respect to renewable energy resources such as direct solar radiation, ocean wave power, wind energy, and, to a lesser extent, arable land for the cultivation of bio-energy feedstock. Apart from the socio-economic benefits of a vibrant renewable and sustainable energy industry for South Africa, the diversification of the nation’s energy supply through a stake in renewable energy technology development and implementation in the post fossil-fuel 21st century is urgently required. This effort will be of value not only to South Africa, but also the rest of the African continent and the world. The DST has recognised this opportunity and has designed and implemented the hub-and-spokes collaborative model using the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies where Stellenbosch University is the hub and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) together with the University of Cape Town (UCT) are the spokes. This programme has collaborative links to the South African



guide the DST further developed a Ten-Year Global Change Research Plan (GCRP) for enhancing the scientific understanding of global change. The research plan mainly comprises four knowledge streams: (a) Understanding a changing planet, (b) Reducing the human footprint, (c) Adapting the way we live, and (d) Innovation for sustainability.

Through the implementation of the global research plan, which identified global change, society and sustainability as funding instruments, risk and vulnerability science centres were established that would assist and educate communities in sustainable approaches towards society and the environment. These centres are located at three rural universities, i.e. the University of Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu University and the University of Limpopo, with progress on rollout planned at other universities.

The global change knowledge area is fully supported by a CoE, i.e. the Applied Centre for Climate and Earth Systems and Science (ACCESS).

• Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) is a Regional Science Service Centre (RSSC) for the southern Africa region. The project is a joint venture between Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Germany, with the aim of responding to the challenges of global change.

Origins Programme (AOP). The initiative aims to provide funding for research in the fields of palaeontology, palaeo-anthropology, archaeology and other related disciplines. A CoE has been established that will be instrumental in driving the research and building human capacity in this geographic advantage area.

• Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) exploits the established advantage that the country has in specific areas of bio-economy, epistemology, climate change, energy, practices of Khoi Griqua and San communities, as well as other novel ideas that will impact the country’s knowledge production and address national priorities. To groom this sector, the DST and NRF have established a research centre, hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The platform provides the opportunity for basic and applied knowledge production with the long-term view to growing critical capacity in this area of expertise.

• Global Change is currently a global topic and is high on most government agendas. Climate change is one of the Grand Challenges identified in the DST Ten-Year Innovation Plan. The NRF has been mandated to provide funding to support knowledge generation and technological innovation that will enable South Africa and the rest of the world to respond to global environmental change, including climate change, in an informed and innovative way. The climate change phenomenon is complicated and covers many disciplines. As an implementation

National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).

• The 2ENRICH initiative is a cooperative programme developed between the NRF and its counterpart in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). This initiative is focused on improving the quality of life of the approximately four billion people globally who live below the poverty line, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme intends to create products that are really needed and can improve the quality of life of the people from these regions. The instrument’s thematic design is based on the Millennium Development Goals. Recommended sectors for focus include agriculture and water. The instrument is to be co-managed by the NRF (ARIC) and NWO with the objective of the transfer and exchange of technological knowledge from and between Dutch and African universities, knowledge institutions, private or semi-private enterprises and African partners in sub-Saharan Africa.

7.7.3.3. Knowledge generation in Areas of Geographic Advantage Strategic Areas and Identified Grand Challenges

The funding invested in the National Research and Development Strategy and Grand Challenges was discussed in detail under section 2.4 on page 11.

• Palaeoscience Strategy is a revitalised funding instrument that stems from what was traditionally known as the African

PROGRAMME 03

79

in research, development and innovation. Through the creation of inter-governmental agreements and programmes and strategic partnerships, the DST and NRF are able to support internationalisation with a view to improving the international competitiveness of all research sectors. The management of the bilateral and multilateral S&T agreements seeks to increase and enhance collaboration between South African research and partner countries and scientific bodies. The scientific, technological and technical expertise and financial leveraging aspects play a major role in support of the national R&D strategy, as well as promoting enhanced regional and continental research collaboration and contributing to equitable, sustainable development and growth.

Within government the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is the custodian of international science cooperation, agreements and memberships. The DST appointed the NRF as the implementing agency for these agreements and memberships. The role of the NRF, through RISA, is to:• Develop the science and technology

cooperation agreements; • Draft the programme of cooperation,

which generally details modalities, criteria, priorities and conditions; and

• Negotiate funding levels.

Working closely with the DST, the NRF assumes proactive responsibility for facilitating and enhancing international scientific collaboration between individual scientists, higher education institutions, research bodies and scientific and

professional associations (unions) in South Africa and abroad. There are four broad focus areas within RISA, namely: • Overseas Cooperation (OC); • Africa and Multilateral Cooperation

(AMC); • Secretariat for the International Council

for Science (ICSU); and • Knowledge Interchange and

Collaboration (KIC).

Science and technology agreements formalise scientific relationships among research communities of intergovernmental signatories and establish long-term, sustainable scientific cooperation and networks. The main purpose of cooperative research is to support projects of scientific excellence by promoting the exchange of researchers and stimulating interaction among scientific communities. There is great emphasis on training. The agreements also encourage the inclusion of PhD students and the exchange of postdoctoral fellows within approved projects. The NRF may enter into cooperation agreements with counterpart organisations, independently of the over-arching intergovernmental agreements. Membership of international science bodies gives South African scientists access to knowledge, data and networking opportunities.

During 2014/15 the project will ensure continued funding, research support and the development of the next generation of researchers in the different thematic areas.

• Multi-Wavelength Astronomy Project

is an interim human capacity development initiative that brings together the various disciplines of optical, radio and gamma-ray astronomy. A review of this programme was commissioned and completed in 2012, and continued support for the programme was recommended. With the establishment of the Astronomy sub-agency, the future of the programme under RISA is uncertain. For 2014/15 the programme will continue, pending DST’s final decision.

• Marine Research on Southern Oceans, Other Islands and Antarctica was previously known as the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) and has now been expanded to include research on the Southern Ocean. The purpose of this programme is to facilitate the development of individual strategies for marine and southern ocean research and research in Antarctica that will formulate the basis of future funding for research. This is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the DST and the NRF.

7.7.4. Internationalisation and Mobility

In a globalised world, it is imperative that nations remain globally competitive in order to be considered viable global partners



A catalyst for expanding and enhancing international research collaborationInternationally competitive knowledge economies are effective at increasing and leveraging a strategic global network of partnerships and collaborations, particularly in the realm of science, technology and innovation. The internationalisation of the research platform is therefore fundamental to the evolution of a competitive national system of innovation in South Africa.

South Africa has set itself aspirational targets to be established as the preferred destination for science and technology investment on and for the African continent, and to establish a globally competitive science system. More specifically, the goal of contributing 1% of global R&D output annually and substantially increasing doctoral production from the current 1 700 to 6 000 PhDs per annum has been articulated. In addition, the National Planning Commission’s target requires academic staff with PhDs at the 23 public universities to increase from the current 34% to 70% by 2020. Through a multiplicity of mechanisms, internationalisation underpins and supports the accomplishment of these goals; and hence strategic and effective international partnerships as well as regional networks need to be continually leveraged.

However, establishing an internationally competitive knowledge economy and achieving these ambitious targets requires not only a strategic and targeted approach to internationalisation, but also the development and strengthening of internationalisation as a

cross-cutting and integrated mandate of all the NRF’s activities. Aligned with government’s vision of a well-coordinated national system of innovation to achieve the intended pervasive impact, the NRF has adopted the approach of working across a range of government stakeholders, most notably the DST, DHET, DIRCO and other science councils. Achieving synergy for an inclusive and coordinated approach to internationalisation is an important strategy for increased success and impact.

Substantial progress has already been registered, which is encouraging. The SKA project is a clear example of how the country can establish itself as an international leader in science through harnessing its strengths and leveraging international collaboration. The number of publications by local researchers co-authored with international partners continues to increase, and successful collaboration with international partners is facilitating increased movement by researchers and contributing to high-level human resource development, and especially PhD production. In addition, particularly successful examples are the SA–Norway and SA–Swiss partnerships, and the SA–Germany (DAAD/NRF) scholarship programme. In addition, the agreement between the NRF and the Academy of the Developing World, which will be concluded shortly, will afford a large number of scholars from the continent an opportunity to engage in South Africa, thereby confirming

the increasingly global role of the NRF in human capital development and its inclusive approach to international research support.

The NRF is committed to promoting and enhancing international networks and partnerships, particularly in Africa. As a pivotal state on the continent, South Africa has an indisputable role to play in contributing to the development of a sustained, vibrant and resilient science system in Africa. The NRF is focused on increasing engagement with researchers and research bodies on the African continent and is actively working towards increasing the number of targeted, productive, collaborative regional science partnerships.

The International Relations and Cooperation (IRC) division contributes strategically to the promotion of research excellence through inter alia the internationalisation of the research platform and higher education; and in particular to the concerted focus on Africa within the NRF. Through the synergies of its core initiatives and innovative projects, there is an invaluable contribution through IRC’s programmes to human capital development and research productivity within the national system of innovation, especially focusing on redress and equity. In order to redirect for greater impact, the IRC has undergone in order to redirect for fundamental refocusing and repositioning to better align itself both within the NRF as well as within the overall national system of innovation.

PROGRAMME 03

81

7.7.5. RISA Support

In meeting the objectives of the division, the RISA support structure ensures that the division is responsive to emerging changes and needs in the delivery environment. The NRF’s grant-making services must be efficient and effective, and the organisation must also ensure that reviews and evaluations are in line with global best practice.

7.7.5.1. Reviews and Evaluation

The directorate operates in line with international standards; reviews of programmes, disciplines and initiatives across the scientific landscape are conducted using international best practice. Building the confidence of the review and evaluation processes conducted by the NRF is crucial for both external and internal stakeholders, thus ensuring that funding decisions have credibility and will support the performance objectives of the NSI.

This business unit also conducts the necessary processes that allow the award of ratings to South African scientists. The rating process must be a transparent process in line with best practice or it will fail to uphold the reputation that the NRF rating has developed within the research community. For these reasons, RISA provides in-house support service, as outlined in Figure 44.

The NRF uses the review and evaluation process for researchers as tools to assess the quality of knowledge funded and produced against international benchmarks. The rating process not only

Figure 44: Review and evaluation functions

REVIEW AND EVALUATION

Provide system tools to rating panel members to improve workflow

efficiency and support the accountability

of decision-making: improve to the rating panel member facility

Enhance procedural fairness and

transparency of the rating system as

recommended by the HESA Review of the

Rating System (2007): Implementation of

the revised appeals procedure

Determine perceptions amongst stakeholders of the rating categories

as recommended by the HESA Review of the Rating System (2007):

Survey of the naming of the rating categories

Implement policy-related decisions

taken at the annual stakeholder consultation forum:

Considerable International

Recognition (CIR) guideline document

Provide appraising, monitoring and reviewing services for external and

internal programmes; review the French-

South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI)

Postgraduate Programme in Satellite Systems

Engineering

provides researchers with access to limited funding and access to global networks, but also encourages researchers to strive to produce high-quality research outputs and to appropriately advance their career development. By the 2012/13 financial year,

2 638 researchers had achieved a rating by the NRF.

Table 19 is an indication of the growth rate of the number of rated researchers in the system.



7.7.5.2. Grants Management and Systems Administration (GMSA)

The centralised Grants Management and Systems Administration Unit (GMSA) within RISA ensures that the division leverages economies of scale, improves efficiencies and adopts world-class business processes for managing NRF-awarded grants. GMSA operates leading-edge grant management systems that are responsible for ensuring compliance in the management of the funding processes and coordinating all grant-making activities across RISA. The relevant grant management processes, including both pre- and post-award activities, are illustrated in Figure 45. Table 19 shows the numbers of rated researchers in all disciplines, projected to the end of the funding period.

RISA call scheduleIn order to expedite the expenditure of grant funding, GMSA in conjunction with RISA funding directorates has compiled the 2014 annual call schedule. This call schedule indicates the period during which applications/proposals will be solicited and the indicative times when the announcement of review outcomes will be communicated to applicants.

Table 20 is a summary of the RISA call schedule that is co-ordinated through the Grants Management and Systems Administration unit.

Rating level

Actual Performance

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

A 77 85 85 89 93

B 443 474 502 533 569

C 1 070 1 209 1 308 1 434 1 555

P 16 17 16 17 14

Y 256 296 324 364 383

L 60 61 50 34 24

Total 1 922 2 142 2 285 2 471 2 638

Table 19: Numbers of rated researchers in all disciplines (2008/09-2016/17)

Figure 45: Grant management support agency (GMSA) process

PRE-AWARD: GRANT-MAKING STRATEGISING AND AWARDING POST-AWARD: GRANT MANAGEMENT

MONITOR PROGRESS

Elicit and review interim, annual and financial progress reports. Undertake institutional visits. Data monitoring.

OPEN CALLSubmit applications through NRF online

system or as per call instructions.

ASSESSMENTS PROCESS

Identify and invite chairperson, assessor and

specialist panel members.

Manage advisory panel meetings. Make funding

recommendations

SET PROGRAMMESTRATEGY

FUNDING DECISIONS

GRANT ADMINISTRATION

Release and payment of grants.

Monitor expenditure.Make adjustments

if necessary. Approve and

implement carry forwards.

COMMUNICATE FUNDING

DECISIONSIssue letter of award/regret.Supporting

documentation: conditions of grant, grantholder, bursary conditions, student nominations, etc.

APPEALS

SCREEN AND VERIFY

APPLICATIONSCheck: complete,

correct and appropriate.

Select reviewers.Obtain review reports.

PROGRAMME 03

83

Table 20: Business cycle: Major funding opportunities managed by RISA Call Schedule for 2014

2013 2014

Investment area Funding Instruments Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

1

Established Researchers

Bioinformatics Call X

2 Competitive Support for Rated Researchers Call X Call X

3 Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers Call X Call X

4 Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers Call X Call X

5 SARChI Call X Call subject to availability of funds

6 CoE Call X Call subject to availability of funds

7

Human and Infrastructure Capacity Development

Career Awards (Honours, Masters, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral) Call X Call X

8 Collaborative Training Groups (H,M,D,PD) Call X Call X

9 Drug Discovery Programme Call X

10 (M, D) Students with disabilities Call subject to availability of funds

11 Post-Doctoral Call X Call X

12 Sabbatical Grants to complete PhD Call X Call X

13 Professional Development Programme (PDP) Call X Call X

14 SHIP/DST Innovation and SSDF Masters and Doctoral Call X Call X

15 SKA Scholarships Programme Call X

16 Study support for completing PhD studies part-time Call X

17 Thuthuka Call X

18

Strategic Knowledge Fields

African Coelecanth Ecosystem Call X

19 African Origins Platform Call X Call subject to Astronomy Strategy

20 Blue Skies Research Programme Concept Notes X Call X

23 Community University Partnership Programme No Call

24 Global Change, Society and Sustainability Programme Call X

25 Human and Social Sciences Grants No Call

26 Indigenous Knowledge Systems Call X Call X

27 Integrated Biodiversity Information Programme Call X

28 Knowledge Fields - Education Research in South Africa Call X

29 Multi-Wavelength Astronomy Call X Call X

30 Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Programme No Call

31 South African National Antarctic Programme Call X

32 SABI-KFD South African Biosystematics Initiative No Call

33 Society, Ecosystems and Change (SEA Change) No Call

34

Applied Research Innovation and Collaboration

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Scholarships (M,D) Call X

35 Research and Technology Fund Call X Call Subject to availability of funds

36 SANHARP Bursaries and School Outreach programme Call Subject to availability of funds

37 THRIP Call X

38

Strategic Platforms Grants

Competitive Support for Collaborative Research with NF Call Subject to availability of funds

39 Equipment-Related Mobility and Training Grants Call X

40 Research and Innovation Reward Programme Call X Call X

41 Research Infrastructure Support Programme Call X Call X

42 Nanoflagships Programme Call X Call Subject to availability of funds

43

International Relations and Cooperation

Bi-nationals (SA - x) No fixed timelines, call depends on negotiations with international partners

44 Bi-laterals (NRF - x) No fixed timelines, call depends on negotiations with international partners

45 Focus on Africa No fixed timelines, call depends on negotiations with international partners

46 KIC No fixed timelines, call depends on negotiations with international partners

47 NRF/DAAD for Masters and Doctoral Scholarships Call X

48 Community Engagement Grants Community Engagement Grants Call X

49 Evaluation and Rating of Individuals For 2014 Call X

NB. The NRF reserves the right to modify this schedule without prior notice; however any changes will be communicated on the NRF website

Key

Call = Call for proposals X = Expected date for results Shaded bar = Represent call periods



further their studies through studentships and full-time study. This translates to a nominal 68% success rate for this important programme.

The programme has also expanded to include graduates from the humanities and social sciences in line with the requirements of the DST’s Ten-year Innovation Plan, particularly the Human and Social Dynamics Grand Challenge. Some 105 interns were placed at HEIs throughout the country.

7.8.1.3. International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa (ICSU ROA)

In an endeavour to strengthen international science for the benefit of society, the International Council for Science (ICSU) created Regional Offices in the developing regions of the world. The purpose of these offices is to ensure that developing countries influence the international research agenda, and that researchers from these countries become fully involved in international research projects.

The aim of the ICSU Regional Office for Africa (ICSU ROA) is to promote and facilitate the engagement of African scientists and engineers in applying, strengthening and advancing science, technology and innovation for the socio-economic development of the continent. ICSU ROA was established in September 2005 and, through the guidance of the ICSU Regional Committee for Africa, identified four priority areas for addressing the challenges of Africa, namely sustainable energy, natural and human-induced hazards and disasters, health and human well-being, and global environmental change (including climate change and adaptation). Science plans for these priority areas were produced and widely distributed.

7.8. Special projects

The NRF is the custodian of the following special projects through Programme 3:• Research Information Management

System (RIMS);• DST/NRF Internship Programme; and • International Council for Science Regional

Office for Africa (ICSU ROA).

7.8.1.1. Research Information Management System (RIMS)

The Research Information Management System (RIMS) project is an initiative that has been funded by the DST. RIMS provides the nine science councils and 23 HEIs with two key components of a research information management system namely: • The Research Administration System

imparts administrative best practice to the research administration process through a modularised administration system based on proprietary software that has been customised for the South African environment. The system provides:- Expertise management through

the CV data module and the grant database that contains internal and NRF funding opportunities.

- Grant and contracts management that allows grant applications to be prepared and tracked through the process of submission, award, post-award tracking and post-award reporting.

- Compliance management through specific modules that satisfy the compliance requirements in specific environments.

- Administrative process modules that manage the process of technology transfer and the reporting of research outputs.

• The RIMS business intelligence warehouse allows institutions to store information pertaining to publicly funded research in a segregated and confidential environment. Once the warehouse is populated it will:- Allow HEIs to benchmark against

other institutions at an aggregated level

- Provide the DST and its counterparts with a view of the impact of publicly funded research and the return on investment.

Over the reporting period, the NRF will investigate the synergies between RIMS and the NRF grant-making systems with a view to enhancing and streamlining the business processes both internal to the NRF and within the HEIs.

7.8.1.2. DST/NRF Internship Programme

The DST and the NRF entered into a contractual agreement for the management of a graduate work experience programme, in which unemployed science, engineering and technology (SET) graduates and postgraduates have the opportunity to improve their skills and enhance their workplace competencies through exposure to a research environment. The Internship Programme has had seven intakes of interns since the start of the initiative in 2005. A total of 1 543 interns have been enrolled. After completion of the internship programme, a total of 695 interns (45% of the participants in the programme) joined the workforce within the NSI, while 356 (23%) interns exited the programme to

PROGRAMME 03

85

ICSU and ROA‘s role in Future EarthThe International Council for Science (ICSU) is a major partner in the Future Earth initiative of the Science and Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability, informally known as the Alliance. Future Earth builds on the successes of existing global environmental change programmes such as:• Diversitas: an international research

programme aimed at integrating biodiversity science for human well-being;

• International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP): a research programme that studies the phenomenon of global change looking at the total Earth system, the changes that are occurring, and the influence of human actions;

• International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP): studies the human and societal aspects of the phenomenon of global change. IHDP develops research approaches that put societies at the centre of the debate;

• World Climate Research Programme (WCRP): Organises meetings, workshops and conferences to coordinate and facilitate climate research; and

• Earth Science System Partnership (ESSP): facilitates integrated study of the Earth system, the ways that it is changing, and the implications for global and regional sustainability, around the four critical issues for human well-being: energy and the carbon cycle; food security; water resources, and human health.

While all these initiatives were co-funded by a number of international organisations, they are primarily known as ICSU‘s global environmental change programmes. These are now in the process of being integrated into Future Earth, with the exception of WCRP. ICSU together

with the International Social Science Council (ISSC) are the leading partners in developing the structures of Future Earth. ICSU’s regional office in Africa (ROA) will contribute to the ideas of Future Earth from an African regional perspective and ensure the involvement of African scientists as the initiative unfolds.

In 2012, ICSU secured funding from SIDA in the form of a 20-month grant to coordinated four regional consultative workshops in developing regions, i.e. Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean as well the Middle East and North Africa region. The main purpose was to open up dialogue and understanding of issues around Future Earth, so that existing science can be reorganised in a way that promotes global sustainability. The ISSC also played a very prominent role in hosting these workshops. ICSU compiled a consolidated report of issues that arose from the workshops, to be taken into account in the further development of the initiative.

ICSU ROA coordinated the African workshop and ensures the involvement of a mix of delegates from the different sub-regions of the African continent. The workshop was held in Cape Town from 30 October to 2 November 2012. In total, there were 55 scientists from 15 countries, including key people from the Future Earth Transition Team and ICSU officials from Paris. ICSU ROA facilitated the participation of a team of young scientists from ACCESS (Applied Centre for Climate and Earth System Studies) which is an NRF Centre of Excellence. These young scientists played key roles during the workshop. The ACCESS group was joined by other young scientists who have set up a collaboration to position themselves to participate in Future Earth activities once the implementation starts. ICSU ROA has secured incentivised funding for these young scientists.

One of the outcomes of the workshop was the creation of the Future Earth Interim Committee for Africa. The eight-member committee was chaired by the late Prof Joseph Massaquoi (retired Executive Director of UNESCO Nairobi), with ICSU ROA acting as the secretariat through the six-month mandate of the committee, from March to August 2013. ICSU ROA further organised a meeting in South Africa towards the end of the committee’s mandate, to consolidate the work that had been done electronically over the previous six-month period.

ICSU has established a Future Earth secretariat in Paris with four staff members including the Interim Director. The secretariat is currently in the process of setting up a permanent secretariat. The Governing Council, interim Engagement Committee and Science Committee have been established with the joint leadership of ICSU and the International Social Science Council (ISSC).

While this is in process, ICSU ROA’s work has involved presentations of Future Earth at different meetings in Africa to promote engagement and dialogue. ICSU ROA will take a secondary role once the African Regional node is in place through the current process. Funding is also being secured through the SIDA proposal being finalised, which will allow ICSU ROA to host activities that will promote capacity building around and participation of African scientists in Future Earth in collaboration with the node. This will involve funding pilot projects and coordination training events on co-design. ICSU ROA is also preparing to host a meeting between research funders and development aid funders in South Africa on 6 -7 May 2014, to promote dialogue between the two groups on possible co-funding for Future Earth.

The National Research Facilities provide cutting-edge research platforms for internally competitive research. Through the NRF Act (Act No. 23 of 1998), the Facilities are mandated to:• Ensure access to state-of-the-art

infrastructure for national and internal scientists;

• Produce internationally competitive research;

• Coordinate and manage large international projects;

• Provide human resources training through lectures, student supervision and experiential training in collaboration with HEIs;

• Use of the various multidisciplinary and multi-institutional programmes to leverage opportunities for collaboration and the training and education of students;

• Develop strong technical competencies to produce high-quality instrumentation, equipment and scientific techniques in

niche areas; • Grow scientific and technical

collaborations with HEIs and other research organisations;

• Build sustainable international collaborations; and

• Promote the national science agenda through science engagement and science communication strategies in alignment with the objectives of Programme 2.

Ndlovu

SAEONHartRAO

NZG

Elwandle

Egagasini Fynbos

SAIAB

SAAONational Research Facility

SAEON Node

iThembaLABS

Grasslands, Forests and Wetlands

Arid

SKA SA Project

SAAO and SALT

PROGRAMME 04

87

8. NATIONAL RESEARCH FACILITIES8. NATIONAL RESEARCH FACILITIES

The National Research Facilities enable both national and international researchers and institutions to access cutting-edge research platforms as well as big science research infrastructure. The NRF facilities maintain global competitiveness in strategic areas. In addition, the platforms contribute to the goal of a representative research workforce, through intensive human capital Development.

The education and training focus of the facilities enriches and empowers individuals to function as productive knowledge workers. The five declared National Research Facilities and one emerging facility are aligned with the science mission of the National Research and Development Stratgey (2002) and form three broad categories according to their areas of specialisation: bodiversity and environmental sciences, nuclear sciences and astronomy.

8.2. Organisational structure

Based on the ministerial decision to form an astronomy sub-agency to include the Astronomy facilities and the SKA SA project, the NRF has created two programmes as shown in Figure 47. Programme 4 will include the Biodiversity, Environmental and Nuclear Sciences and Programme 5 will include all Astronomy including the SKA SA project.

8.1. Structure and grouping

The White Paper on Science and Technology (1996) defines a National Research Facility as one with:• A unique position in South African

knowledge production;• Core technologies, research methods

or data pools and collections that meet international standards;

• Goals that are aligned with the overall objectives of the NSI;

• A critical mass of equipment, skills and users;

• The potential for networking and attracting international collaborators; and

• Opportunities for human resource development, with special efforts to involve researchers from previously disadvantaged communities.

NRF CEO

Figure 47: Management of national research facilities

Astro Geosciences

SKA SA

Project

SAAO

HartRAO

Nuclear, Biodiversity,

Environmental and

Conservation

iThemba LABS

SAEON

SAIAB

NZG

PROGRAMME 4 PROGRAMME 5

National Research Facilities


The National Research Facilities in Programme 4 support research in the areas of Biodiversity, the Environment, and Conversation Research. Together, SAIAB, the NZG and SAEON, which is managed and operated by the NRF as a National Research Facility, form an interactive hub focused on serving the nation through generating, disseminating and applying knowledge to understanding problems. These National Research Facilities promote careful use of the African aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity and complement the objectives of ICSU and the new Future Earth programme.

Aquatic research at SAIAB ranges from genes to ecosystems – one of the common features between these is the link to International Global Change initiatives, examples of which include the International Barcode of Life (IBOL) in which SAIAB is closely involved. SAIAB will be one of three national centres for the Barcode of Wildlife project. At the ecosystem level, SAIAB is a key partner in the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN), which aims to unravel the complexities of marine animal movement around the globe and the global and climate change pressures driving these movements. By ensuring that existing

SAIAB research is aligned to both national and international global change research priorities, SAIAB will be well positioned to contribute to Future Earth.

These National Research Facilities will continue to provide key platforms such as marine infrastructure, specialised labs, collections facilities, bio-banks and data systems which will address key Future Earth cross-cutters such as the need for observation systems, data systems and capacity development in global change research.

04

8.4. PROGRAMME 04: National Research Facilities: Biodiversity, Environment and Nuclear

PROGRAMME 04

89

8.4.1. Situational analysis

Programme 4 represents the nuclear sciences (iThemba LABS) and biodiversity and environmental (SAIAB, NZG and SAEON) National Research Facilities. The programme contributes to the following strategic objectives and focal themes of the NRF:• Promoting internationally competitive

research as the basis for a knowledge economy;

• Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa;

• Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms; and

• Contributing to a vibrant NSI.

These strategic objectives are achieved through cutting-edge research platforms, human capital development programmes, research and applied research activities, numerous national and international collaborations that are prevalent within the programme as well public engagement in science.

8.4.2. Primary activities

The primary activities of Programme 4 are:• Provision of a nuclear science platform

for research, development and training in:- Fundamental studies of nuclear

phenomena; - Applications of ion beams and

associated techniques in materials and nano-science research;

- The production of radionuclides; and

- Radiation biology and particle therapy.

• Provision of a wildlife biodiversity conservation and research facility, National Zoological Gardens (NZG) which:- Conducts high-quality and high

impact research to generate knowledge for the conservation of threatened/endangered species globally, but focusing on African fauna;

- Develops high-quality human resources in the form of conservation biology scientists and biodiversity conservation practitioners;

- Undertakes ex-situ conservation of wildlife and makes qualified contributions to in-situ conservation of threatened wildlife species;

- Provides a science engagement platform in support of teaching and learning in life and environmental sciences; and

- Enhances the quality of life of the community by providing a top-class metropolitan ecotourism facility, a family attraction of first choice that inspires discovery, appreciation, care, knowledge and respect for nature.

• Ensuring research and training excellence

for the sustainability of African aquatic environments (SAIAB) by:

PROGRAMME 048.4. National Research Facilities: Nuclear, Biodiversity, Environmental & Conservation Sciences


PART B NUCLEAR, BIODIVERSITY, ENVIRONMENTAL & CONSERVATION SCIENCES

observation programmes and platforms that are designed to clarify Earth system dynamics and changes over multiple scales, and to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic environmental change through SAEON, by:- Establishing and maintaining

environmental observatories, field stations or sites linked by an information management network. The environmental observatories and associated sites serve as research and education platforms for long-term studies of ecosystems that seek to provide for incremental advances in the understanding of ecosystems and in the ability to detect, understand and predict environmental change. The core research programme strives to distinguish between anthropogenic

and natural change as well as to examine the relationship between ecosystem change and socio-economic trends; and

- Developing open-access data systems and tools.

8.4.3. Objectives and indicators


It should be noted that, for the 2016/17 financial year, a total of only R1m will be invested towards facilitating national and international research partnership networks at the National Research Facilities. This is because most of the contracts under this initiative come to an end in 2015/16.

- Serving as a resource hub to promote research and other scientific activities on aquatic biodiversity;

- Conducting scientific research over a broad spectrum and geographic range on African aquatic biodiversity;

- Driving the DST/NRF flagship African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP);

- Generating databases on African aquatic biodiversity for analysis and research information;

- Providing state-of-the-art research platforms to the research community such as coastal craft telemetry networks, remotely operated vehicles etc.

• Offering public value through long-term multi-disciplinary environmental


BUDGET (R million)

2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Human capacity development Development of human capital in order to:• Drive the research strategy; and• Meet the transformation objective of the NSI.

6 5 5 5

2. Research infrastructure Providing cutting-edge research platforms and technology 135 128 154 134

3. Knowledge generation Support for knowledge generation through:• Investment in new fields of knowledge; and• Investment to advance existing fields of knowledge.

116 118 119 123

4. Internationalisation and mobility Facilitating national and international research partnership networks.

14 11 11 0.43

5. Retail opportunities Retail operations within the facility (kiosks,etc) 10 12 12 13

6. Support and administration Providing efficient operational, management and business system support.

126 130 136 144

Total 407 404 437 419

Table 21: National Research Facilities: Biodiversity, Environmental and Nuclear sciences high-level objectives (2014/15–2016/17)

PROGRAMME 04

91

8.4.4. Plans to Meet Objectives (2014/15–2016/17)

The core grant allocation received was below inflation, which continues to have an adverse impact on operations and the research infrastructure. However, this is partially mitigated by the additional allocation of R156m for investment in strategic

infrastructure over the next three to five years, thus releasing a greater share of core grant funding for operations and staffing costs.

The South African labour market remains buoyant and it may be difficult to conclude wage settlements at CPI levels. The National Research Facilities are thus actively seeking external funding. Another key constraint

is the recruitment and retention of highly skilled personnel, which is essential for the maintenance and operation of the cutting-edge research platforms and equipment. International recruitment has to be pursued for key positions, despite the higher costs involved, to ensure global competitiveness.



2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Number of ISI publications emanating from the facilities 157 160 170 180 190

2. Platform provisioning (R’000) New infra-structure (CAPEX) and Repairs

39,221 63,569 44,266 75,673 55,231

Number of platform users

957 1,041 1,060 1,112 1,164

3. Number of students supervised by facility staff Total 195 201 227 237 247

Black 56% 56% 56% 57% 57%

Women 37% 37% 37% 38% 39%

4. Number of students using the facilities for their degree purpose

Honours 38 39 42 45 47

Masters 138 144 214 220 227

Doctoral 96 102 115 121 125

5. Proportion of South Africans from designated groups in management and senior supervisory levels

Total 289 294 299 304 310

Black 52% 53% 54% 55% 56%

Women 30% 30% 31% 32% 32%

6. Number of joint international agreements 46 51 57 60 62

7. Targeted science engagement interactions Number of learners 262 886 237 686 238 170 248 864 260 067

Number of educators 5,135 4 835 7 223 8 332 9 441

Public 568 969 553 980 562 462 576 300 585 550

Table 22: National Research Facilities: Biodiversity, environmental and nuclear sciences key performance indicators (2014/15–2016/17)



8.4.4.1. Human capacity development

Human capacity development (HCD) is a major focus area within the NRF with the emphasis on postgraduate training, postdoctoral appointments and technical training. During 2013/14, 285 postgraduates have made use of the facilities to complete their degrees, with a 17% increase targeted for 2014/15. Doctoral students represent 36% of the total. The number of students now being supervised by programme staff will increase steadily over the coming years from 195 in 2012/13 to 238 in 2016/17, reflecting an average increase of 5% year-on-year.

Technical training is now receiving greater attention than in previous years due to the planned investment in research infrastructure and the current scarcity of skills. The throughput in this sector has grown steadily since 2009/10, with the largest growth being within NZG. The facilities are attracting students in various fields to complete their experiential work as part of their studies. The National Research Facilities within Programme 4 participate in the DST/NRF’s internship programme. The key HCD initiatives planned over the three-year MTEF period are:• ACEP Phuhlisa programme:

This initiative is a ring-fenced ACEP programme specifically aimed at redress in the marine research sector. The programme aims to produce 40 black postgraduate students from historically disadvantaged universities. The programme works in conjunction with the ACEP open call, which targets another 40 students from across the demographic spectrum.

• Four Masters Schools within the Nuclear Sciences sector: Discussions are in progress to possibly expand the MANUS/MatSci School by bringing in additional partners (i.e. the Universities of Venda and North West) and also offering additional elective streams, e.g. astrophysics and high energy physics.

• ALICE Master Class at iThemba LABS: This is a self-contained web-based training programme from the European Organisation for Nuclear Research - Organisation européenne pour la recherche nucléaire (CERN), that will be aimed at attracting postgraduate students from non-participating local universities, such as UWC and US, to high-energy and particle physics.

• Zoo Research Camp: This is run in conjunction with the University of Zurich’s Veterinary Faculty, where final-year veterinary students undertake data-mining of the NZG’s clinical and pathology databases to learn research techniques and generate publishable information.

• Conservation Genetics Summer School: This s a postgraduate training initiative run by the NZG in conjunction with international partners to develop skills in conservation genetics and molecular genetic techniques.

• The NZG is in discussion with San Diego Zoo to undertake a joint annual training initiative in behavioural biology and animal enrichment, which will involve both postgraduate students and animal-keeping staff.

• A conceptual framework is under development by the NZG to establish

PROGRAMME 04

93

a postgraduate training programme in Wildlife Reproductive Biology in collaboration with the Universities of Pretoria and the Western Cape, as well as the Institute for the Breeding of Rare and Endangered African Mammals (IBREAM).

• At SAEON, the plan for the next three years is to increase the proportion of staff enrolled for formal qualifications to about 15% of total staff. The facility also plans to substantially increase the number of postdoctoral fellows and PhD candidates that are supported and supervised through the NRF’s Professional Development Programme (PDP) to no less than 10 per annum.

8.4.4.2. Research infrastructure

The research infrastructure at the NZG and iThemba LABS, in particular, requires continual renewal and replacement. In recognition of this, the facilities in Programme 4 have been allocated R156m over the next three to five years to invest in equipment to preserve the international competiveness and relevance of all the National Research Facilities. The allocations to SAIAB and SAEON will allow them to enhance their current platforms and attract additional students and researchers, thereby facilitating a journey into new research areas. Key areas of investment include:

• A new tandem accelerator to replace the Van de Graaff (R46m) and a prototype facility for radioactive isotope beams (R32m) at iThemba LABS;

• Expansion of the collections facility (R12m) and marine platform (R11m) at SAIAB;

• Installation of additional climate and weather monitoring equipment across all the nodes at SAEON (R24m); and

• Establishment of a wildlife forensic laboratory at the NZG (R7m).

The research platforms offered within the programme are varied but extensive, and provide a solid base both for research and human capital development. The planned infusion of new infrastructure over the reporting period will allow the facilities to develop new collaborations and partnerships, as well as embrace the latest technologies to remain relevant within the international research space. The platforms that are currently available include:

• Nuclear Sciences (iThemba LABS) The major research and development

platforms provided at the two sites, one in Faure (Cape Town), and the other at the University of Witwatersrand campus in Johannesburg, Gauteng, include:- A variable energy separated sector

cyclotron (SSC) and associated detectors that produce a wide variety of high-energy particle beams. Proton energies of up to 200 MeV can be produced. The SSC is augmented by two additional injector cyclotrons and supplemented by two ECR ion sources and a polarised unit;

- A 5.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator with a nuclear microprobe, used

primarily for materials research and supplemented by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) unit, as well as an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a physical properties measurement System (PPMS). The accelerator is now over 40 years old and should be enhanced by a modern accelerator within the next 2–3 years;

- The 6 MV EN tandem accelerator for accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), ion beam analysis (with a nuclear microprobe and elastic recoil detection system) and low-energy nuclear reaction studies;

- A dedicated 11 MeV cyclotron for 18F production, used in positron emission tomography (PET); and

- Production facilities for the manufacture of radionuclides for both the local nuclear medicine community and the export market (hot cells, targetry stations and clean rooms).

• Wildlife Biodiversity Research and Conservation (NZG)

The main operating platforms are the following:- The zoological garden component

that houses the animal collection, which numbers several thousand animal specimens covering several hundred taxa. The animal collection forms a strategic base for clinical veterinary and scientific work by both internal and external researchers and professionals;



• Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) The following research platforms are

provided:- National Fish and Diatom Collection;- World-class wet collection and

specialised laboratories platform ;- Biobank; - Otolith and X-ray laboratory; - Genetics laboratory; - Ecophysiology laboratory;- Isotope laboratory;- Genetics laboratory; - Marine research platform;- Coastal craft : Kadouw and

uKwabelana; - Acoustic Telemetry Array Platform

(ATAP); - Remote optical unit: ROV and BRUV

systems; and - Library and bioinformatics platform.

• Environment and Climate Change (SAEON)- The operating units are six nodes

that are geographically dispersed across the country, each of

which establishes and maintains environmental observatories (field stations and research sites), which serve as platforms for research on long-term changes in ecosystem structure, composition, function and spatial characteristics. The nodes are situated in Cape Town (2), Pietermaritzburg, Grahamstown, Phalaborwa and Kimberley;

- There are also reasonably equipped laboratories for conducting bio-physical and chemical tests on environmental phenomena, and for analysing properties of plant and animal specimens; and

- The coastal and marine nodes, which join the research sea cruises of international programmes, have various oceanographic research instruments, including current meters, ARGO floats, underwater camera and video machines, remotely-operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) and diving gear.

- A wildlife biomaterials bank encompassing components of multiple biobanks, such as microbial and cell cultures, sperm bank, tissue bank, pathology bank, environmental tissue bank etc. The bank has over 5 000 samples covering over 500 taxa;

- The Centre for Conservation Science, a research centre focused on molecular ecology and conservation genetics research, has specialised laboratory space for molecular genetics, molecular diagnostics and wildlife pathology; and

- The Animal Hospital is a fully fledged clinical facility that caters mainly for the clinical needs of the animal collection and is being refashioned as a Centre for Wildlife Health in order to enhance its research impact and capacity.

Expenditure Type

2012/13 2013/14 Budget

2013/14Actual

ExpenditureNETVAR. Budget

Latest Projection

NETVAR. 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

Capital 28.8 29.1 (0.2) 20.7 45.7 (24.9) 43.3 68.1 34.7

Repairs, maintenance and upgrades

19.9 10.0 9.8 12.2 17.8 (5.5) 13.3 14.4 20.4

TOTAL 48.8 39.2 9.5 32.9 63.5 (30.5) 57.0 82.5 55.2

The planned annual investment in infrastructure is summarised in the Table 23.

Table 23: Investment in research infrastructure (R million)

PROGRAMME 04

95

8.4.4.3. Knowledge Generation (2014/15 – 2016/17)

A research activity within the programme embraces scientists and students from both the national and international communities, with an emphasis on: • Research articles published in high-

impact (ISI accredited) journals;• Presentations of research results at

international conferences and meetings; • The use of the research platforms by

postgraduate students;• Supervision of postgraduate students by

staff; and• Participation in and expansion of

national and international collaborations with scientists from other research organisations.

In addition, several of the National Research Facilities engage in applied research and applications, such as radioisotope production and particle therapy at iThemba LABS and the use of SAEON databases for policy formulation, both within the private and public sectors.

The key scientific activities, products and services arising from the application of the scientific knowledge gained, which planned for the MTEF period, are listed below:

• Nuclear Sciences:- The installation is to exploit new

materials and nano-technology research possibilities afforded by recently acquired equipment such as the physical properties measurement system, optical

spectroscopy facility and, once installed and commissioned, the new tandem accelerator.

- There is a strong tradition in the field of high-spin research which, will continue to play a key role in the scientific activities of this cluster. However, new directions of research are being explored and implemented, including research areas such as low-spin physics and nuclear astrophysics.

- Projects in environmental radiation include measurements to determine the amount of uranium in coal mines using conventional X-ray spectrometry and/or neutron activation analysis, and X-ray and radon in air measurements in the Huguenot Tunnel as part of a feasibility study for an underground laboratory in South Africa.

- The AMS research programme is expected to commence in areas such as environmental sciences, geosciences, biomedicine, Toxicology, Oceanic Studies, Climatology and Palaeo-climatology, Nuclear Waste research and material sciences

- The 82Sr/82Rb project, which involves the development of RbCl targets and Rb metal targets and the chemical processing thereof, could realise a twofold increase in revenue related to current 82Sr sales.

• In Wildlife Biodiversity Research and Conservation:- The Molecular Ecology and



• Aquatic Biodiversity:- A major book series on the Fishes of

the Western Indian Ocean is being edited and published. This major production has involved contributions from ichthyologists around the world and will be the most comprehensive global source of information on coastal fishes from a major ocean system ever produced.

- Fish stock assessment is the cornerstone of fisheries management, and SAIAB scientists will use cutting-edge genetic techniques to enhance the understanding of WIO fishes, especially with regard to connectivity, movement and stock dynamics.

- The Pangaea Project will conduct a

Conservation Genetics Research Programme is aimed at the molecular characterisation of wildlife genetic structure and health in order to inform conservation practice.

- The Wildlife Health and Eco-physiology Research Programme will derive knowledge on the biophysical and bio-clinical health status of wildlife and disease dynamics.

- A wildlife (molecular) forensics laboratory will be established as a scientific aid to wildlife criminal law enforcement; and

- Participation in the Barcode of Wildlife Project provides access to an international initiative to create molecular wildlife forensics capacity in biodiversity-rich countries.

comprehensive underwater visual census and stereo camera survey of fish communities and habitat affinities at Aldabra Atoll and other islands in the Western Indian Ocean.

- The development of the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP) will reach its full potential by the end of 2014. Key monitoring sites will span from Hout Bay on the west coast to Ponta do Oura on border between South Africa and Mozambique border. A number of new studies will be initiated over the next two years, with a strong focus on coastal sharks and important fishery species, including estuarine-associated species.

Photo by Laurent Ballesta © Androméde Oceanologie - May 2013

Peter Timm from Triton Dive Lodge diving with coelacanths in the waters off Sodwana Bay. The diving expedition was done in collaboration with SAIAB, ACEP, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the French Natural History Museum and Androméde Oceanologie in May 2013.

PROGRAMME 04

97

- SAIAB scientists will continue to coordinate and collaborate in a range of biological, social and economic research focusing on fish conservation and alien fish invasions. The research focuses not only on describing natural systems and processes, but also incorporates research on understanding how humans alter and benefit from aquatic systems. It includes assessments of the distribution and impacts of alien fishes in aquatic ecosystems ranging from headwater streams to estuaries; biological and ecological investigations on fishes in both invaded and pristine environments; and the role that alien fishes play in subsistence and recreational fisheries in South Africa and other African countries.

• Environment and Climate Change:- Research and development to

enhance evidence-based decision-making in natural resource management. This research programme will run for an initial period of three years covering areas in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. It will investigate the impacts of global change on ecosystem services and biodiversity and develop strategies for mitigating the identified impacts and appropriate institutional frameworks of natural resource governance;

- Expansion of estuarine monitoring and research in the Eastern Cape and establishment of new coastal sentinel sites at Mossel Bay and False Bay;

- The establishment of a marine off-shore sentinel site in the deep sea linked to Algoa Bay; and

- Weather and climate monitoring in the main mountain areas of the country commencing at Jonkershoek in the Western Cape, Cathedral Peak in KwaZulu-Natal, Kompasberg in the Eastern Cape and Soutpansberg in Limpopo.

8.4.4.4. Internationalisation and Mobility (2014/15 – 2016/17)

The mandate of all the National Research Facilities calls for strong collaborations with international partners, thus formal collaborative agreements have been agreed with organisations on a worldwide basis where both research and postgraduate student training are actively pursued. Use is made of the RISA mobility grants to fund international visits to and from South Africa, and attendance as well as presentation of papers and posters at conferences are encouraged. The number of formal collaborations totals 75 to date and this is expected to grow to around 100 by the end of the MTEF period. Some of the major collaborations are listed below: • South African-CERN consortium in

the nuclear sciences provides both researchers and students with the opportunity to conduct research using the LHC at CERN in Switzerland.

• iThemba LABS and the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (LNL), Legnaro, Italy work together on development of targets and ion source for radioactive beam production.

• iThemba LABS and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia

collaborate on ion source development, the use of laser-ionisation to produce radioactive beams, and the development of injection of radioactive beams into an ESIS charge breeder.

• The Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR) grant allows postgraduates in the nuclear sciences to travel to the University of Ghent, Belgium for specialised training in molecular radiation biology. This funding is also available to host international workshops in Radiation Biology within South Africa.

• NZG’s collaborative project with Kenya Wildlife Services to undertake eco-toxicology research in order to understand the impact of environmental toxins on wildlife In both countries.

• The University of Botswana and collaboration between the NZG on the training of students in wildlife forensic science and general wildlife conservation research.

• As part of its applied physiology, nutrition and metabolism research, the NZG’s collaboration with Namibian institutions to research metabolomics in cheetahs.

• A strong collaborative partnership between SAEON’s Elwandle Node and the University of Western Australia, will revolve around the stereo-baited remote underwater video project. This collaboration will entail scientific advice and interaction, as well as provision of research equipment.

• The Ndlovu and Fynbos nodes plan to increase the numbers and frequency of visits by overseas researchers and students, mostly from Europe (e.g. Montpellier University in France) and the US including Arizona State University,



- Funding has been secured to establish a wildlife forensics laboratory. This will also be the hub for hosting the Barcode of Wildlife project’s forensic work and involvement by the NZG as an analytical base.

• Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) The planned initiatives will in the main

be funded by the strategic infrastructure grant allocations, which include:- Expansion of the collections facility,

which will utilise the currently unoccupied second floor of the building.

- Upgrade of the marine platform to include state-of-the-art oceanography equipment.

- Development of an eco-physiology laboratory in collaboration with Rhodes University as well as an isotope laboratory in collaboration with IsoEnvironmental.

• Environment and Climate Change (SAEON) - Substantial integration and up-

scaling of the national network of environmental observation sites to focus on monitoring and predicting the impacts of global change on the hydrological cycles and related ecosystem services.

- Expansion of the network of observation sites by developing new ones at appropriate locations.

- The project to replace the chiller plant that forms the heart of the central cooling plant at iThemba LABS in Faure will span three years from 2014 to 2017.

- A radioactive ion beam (RIB) prototype facility will be designed, constructed and implimented.

- Currently iThemba LABS has a limited selection of stable beams that can be accelerated. Techniques will be developed to manufacture organometallic materials that will increase the range of stable beams thus opening up new areas of research.

• Wildlife Biodiversity Research and Conservation (NZG)- The animal hospital will be converted

into a Centre for Wildlife Health Research. Four new laboratories for parasitology, endocrinology, reproduction and clinical pathology have recently been completed. A new digital X-ray machine is has recently been installed, whilst new facilities for post-mortem analysis have been completed to provide space for training as well. The animal quarantine facilities of the hospital will be expanded extensively to cater for animal confiscations by the GDARD, including normal holding facilities. All these will extend the research platform available to the NZG and the broader research and wildlife health community.

University of California at Berkeley and Davis, and University of Connecticut. It is expected that some of these visits will lead to formal collaboration on projects with the possibility for funding and/or return visits by SAEON staff to Europe and the USA.

• SAIAB and Dalhousie University in Canada to maintain a network of acoustic receivers to monitor marine animal migration under the auspices of the global ocean tracking network project.

• SAIAB is a key partner in the Fish Barcode of Life Initiative (FISH-BOL) and International Barcode of Life (IBOL) projects, which are a global initiatives.

The units within the clusters also host several international conferences and workshops each year; iThemba LABS will be hosting four during 2013/14.

8.4.5. Major developments over the three-year MTEF period

• Nuclear Sciences- Final implementation of a complete

accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) system at the 6 MV accelerator facility in Gauteng. Commissioning is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2014.

- Replacement of the 5.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator with a modern three MV tandem accelerator.

PROGRAMME 05

99

The SAEON Node for Grasslands, Wetlands and Forests accommodates Hydrology Honours students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Students gain practical experience in the field.

The SAEON Fynbos Node researchers at Jonkershoek installed the high elevation weather station and cloud precipitation collector. This makes it possible to get real-time data, as needed.

SAEON’s SkiMonkey III camera is deployed at the Prince Edward Islands during the annual Marion Island relief voyage in April/ May of 2013.

The towed camera system, which is mounted on weighted skis, is a new equipment addition for SAEON aimed at enabling non-destructive research and monitoring of deep (up to 700 metres) benthic epifauna.


05

Geodesy, or geodetics, is the scientific discipline within the area of Earth System Science, which deals with the measurement and representation of the Earth in a three-dimensional time-varying space. It is the study of the geodynamical phenomena such as crustal motion, tides, and polar motion. The Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) views the Earth system holistically by including the solid Earth, the fluid components, and static and time-varying gravity field in its products. This concept combines different techniques, models, and approaches in order to achieve a better understanding of geodetic, geophysical and geodynamical processes. The objectives of GGOS are:• To be the primary source for all global geodetic

information and expertise serving society and Earth system science;

• To actively promote, sustain, improve and evolve the global geodetic infrastructure needed to meet Earth science and societal requirements;

• To coordinate the international geodetic Services

framework, and data is fed into international databases. Research and monitoring of recent and present-day climate variations in sea levels are organised on a global scale within the context of the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) a programme of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. The GLOSS programme utilises a network of about 300 coastal tide gauge stations, within which the Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island installations operate. Data from tide gauges are stored at the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL), (see www.psmsl.org) and at the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).The GLOSS stations are centred around three areas of scientific interest:• GLOSS-LTT, (study of long term trends in

sea level)• GLOSS-ALT, (the “calibration” of satellites

equipped with radar altimeters),• GLOSS-OC, (monitoring of general ocean

circulation).

that are the main source of key parameters needed to realize a stable global frame of reference and to observe and study changes in the dynamic Earth system;

• To communicate and advocate the benefits of GGOS to user communities, policy makers, funding organizations, and society.

Space geodesy is one of the programmes at HartRAO and leverages synergy between geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and radio astronomy techniques. The HartRAO site hosts Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and geophysical (seismometer) equipment and has become one of only five fiducial geodetic sites in the world. In addition, HartRAO participates in the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), and has installed Tide Gauges (TG) and GNSS equipment on Marion Island and Gough Island, as well as radar reflectors and GNSS equipment in Antarctica. The TG research is done in an international

8.5. PROGRAMME 05: National Research Facilities: Astro Geosciences

101

8.5.1. Situational analysis

In May 2012 South Africa was awarded the majority share of the bid to host the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope. The SKA project is a mega-science project to design and construct the largest radio telescope in the world. The bid decision was to construct the low-frequency array in Australia and the remaining mid- and high-frequency array on the African continent.

MeerKAT is the South African precursor and constitutes a 64-dish array, which has now become an integral part of the delivery of SKA Phase I. SKA will consist of approximately 3 000 dishes across South Africa and eight African partner countries. The hosting of the SKA will be subject to extensive negotiations between South Africa and the International SKA Office, and it is estimated that Phase I will only commence after the commissioning of MeerKAT, which is scheduled for 2017. This will allow the large science surveys, planned for MeerKAT, to continue until the telescope is required for Phase I implementation.

To prepare the African partner countries for the SKA, the SKA SA project has embarked on the development of the Africa VLBI Network (AVN). This consists of converted satellite dishes, as well as new builds, established in the partner countries. The first two conversions will be completed in Ghana and Mozambique during the 2014/15 financial year. Partial funding has been secured for this from DIRCO and the DST to the value of R140m; however,

an additional R200m is required for the four new build projects. Applications for additional funding will be made to organisations such as the African-European Radio Astronomy Platform (AERAP).

In March 2013 the Minister of Science and Technology announced that all the astronomy facilities would form part and be managed as an Astronomy Sub-Agency, which would be incubated within the NRF. It is anticipated that the sub-agency would be fully established by 2014. Although the astronomy cluster is currently being managed as a separate unit within the NRF, the Astronomy desk within the DST has been tasked to engage with the broader Astronomy community to develop a Decadal Strategy for Astronomy. This strategy will embrace an integrated, multi-wavelength philosophy. The ten-year plan will be published during the first half of 2014 and will also include a consolidated HCD programme.

Programme 5 thus represents the Astronomy Sub-Agency, which consists of SAAO, HartRAO and the SKA SA project. The programme contributes substantially to the following strategic objectives of the NRF:• Promoting internationally competitive



• Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms; and

• Contributing to a vibrant national system of innovation.

PROGRAMME 058.5. National Research Facilities: Astro Geosciences

Andre van der Merwe, head of the HartRAO mechanical workshop, working on the mounting of the 1m telescope that is being refurbished as a Lunar/Satellite Laser Ranger

Jasper Horrell, science processing sub-system manager on the MeerKAT project, with the real-time virtual sky display in the control room at the Cape Town MeerKAT project office.

PART B ASTRO GEOSCIENCES


purposes; and- Operate tide gauges co-located with

GNSS receivers for research into sea level change and for tsunami warning.

• Realise the SKA SA project by:- Fully operationalising KAT-7, the

precursor to MeerKAT; - Designing, constructing and

commissioning a world-class radio telescope (MeerKAT) and associated support infrastructure, in order to produce new and exciting science;

- Leading South Africa’s interest and collaborations with international partners as a result of being awarded the majority of the bid for the SKA radio telescope;

- Creating high-level capacity in radio astronomy and the associated engineering disciplines; and

- Exploiting the innovative technology products from MeerKAT for commercialisation.

Funding for the SKA SA project is through a separate allocation within the parliamentary science vote.

8.5.2. Objectives and Indicators


- Contributes to the development of society through the Astronomy Science Engagement programme in the fields of education, public outreach and community development, as well as hosting the International Office for Astronomy Development (OAD).

• Providing world-class radio astronomy, space geodesy and ancillary facilities (HartRAO) to:- Support internal and external

researchers and students in radio astronomy and space geodesy and related engineering and technical development;

- Carry out and support observational research with the 26m and 15m radio telescopes, including astronomical, astrometric and geodetic VLBI, as well as single-dish radio astronomical observing using the techniques of radiometry, spectroscopy and pulsar timing;

- Range to selected satellites for the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS);

- Operate Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers at various locations across South Africa, southern Africa and islands off Africa, and Antarctica, for the International GNSS Service (IGS), in support of the African Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF) development and for other research

These strategic objectives are achieved through the development and use of the research platforms, the HCD programmes, research and applied research activities and the numerous national and international collaborations that are prevalent within the sub-agency.

The primary activities of Programme 5 are:• Provision of an optical, near-infrared

astronomy platform (SAAO), which:- Conducts and supports fundamental

research in astronomy and astrophysics by employing highly qualified research astronomers and technical staff to operate a world-class suite of observing facilities at Sutherland;

- Operates the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) through a contract with the International SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd.;

- Develops strong niche technical competencies, such as the ability to produce high-quality instrumentation for the telescopes with particular emphasis on contributions to future SALT instruments and appropriate complementary instruments on the existing suites of telescopes at Sutherland;

- Builds on the high-end ICT infrastructure and improved international bandwidth so as to use virtual observatory technology for the integrated development of multi-wavelength astronomy; and

PROGRAMME 05

103


BUDGET (R million)

2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Human capacity development Development of human capital in order to:• Drive research strategy; and• Meet the transformation objective of the NSI.

35 36 30 24

2. Research Infrastructure Providing cutting-edge research platforms and technology. 475 450 302 338

3. Knowledge Generation Support of knowledge generation through:• The investment in new fields of knowledge; and• Investment to advance existing fields of knowledge.

53 67 62 65

4. Internationalisation and mobility Facilitating national and international research partnership networks.

45 265 345 291

6. Support and administration Providing efficient operational, management and business system support.

109 86 113 116

Total 717 904 852 833

Table 24: National Research Facilities: Astronomy and the SKA SA project high-level objectives (2014/15–2016/17)



2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

1. Number of ISI publications emanating from the facilities 110 115 125 130 140

2. Platform provisioning (R’000) New infrastructure (CAPEX) and repairs

224,665 457,134 432,468 293,431 316,571

3. Number of students supervised by facility staff Total 57 57 60 70 80

Black 44% 44% 45% 48% 48%

Women 19% 19% 22% 24% 26%

4. Number of students using the facilities for their degree purpose.

Honours 38 39 45 57 57

Masters 28 30 34 38 42

Doctoral 20 20 22 24 26

5. Proportion of South Africans from designated groups in management and senior supervisory levels

Total 142 169 173 178 183

Black 45% 45% 46% 47% 48%

Women 22% 23% 23% 24% 25%

6. Number of joint international agreements 25 25 25 25 25

7. Targeted science engagement interactions Number of learners 78 044 65 500 69 475 72 737 75 617

Number of educators 3 496 4 950 4 899 5 20 5 351

Public 23 645 19 200 18 805 19 732 20 681

Table 25: National Research Facilities: Astronomy and the SKA SA project key performance indicators (2014/15–2016/17)



8.5.3. Plans to meet objectives (2014/15 – 2016/17)

The facilities within the Astronomy Sub-Agency are actively seeking external funding in order to alleviate budgetary pressures by:• Taking on external job orders in the

mechanical workshop at SAAO; and• Applying for grants at RISA on a

competitive basis.

SKA SA funding is currently constrained by the incompatibility between the annual allocation from National Treasury and the actual cash flow requirements of the project. This is being addressed by the DST, whilst the NRF has short-term contingency plans to manage any adverse cash flow impacts that may arise.

Another key constraint is the recruitment and retention of highly skilled personnel, which is essential for the maintenance and operation of the sophisticated equipment within the sub-agency. International recruitment is also being pursued for key positions despite the higher costs involved. In particular, within SKA SA, recruitment is severely hampered by the shortage of experienced engineering and electronics skills in the country. Bursaries and scholarships are now being offered at an undergraduate level to attract the best talent. However, this will require training and mentoring post-qualification and place an additional burden on staff who are working to tight deadlines for the delivery of MeerKAT.

8.5.4.1. Human capacity development

Human capacity development is a major focus area, with on emphasis on postgraduate

training, postdoctoral appointments and technical training. During 2013/14, 73 postgraduates have made use of the astronomy facilities to complete their degrees. Doctoral students represent 23% of the total. The number of students now being supervised by staff has been steadily increasing over the past few years from 39 in 2010/11 to 55 in 2013/14. Technical training is now enjoying greater focus due to the planned investment in research infrastructure and the requirements of the SKA SA project, as well as the current scarcity of such skills in the labour market.

Due to the requirements of the SKA SA project, there has been some significant growth in personnel, in particular:• There are now approximately 150

engineers, scientists, technicians and artisans working on the project. More than 50 students are expected to complete their PhD or MSc degrees in the next two years;

• The project will continue to award grants and bursaries until at least 2017. In total, the capacity development programme has provided nearly 500 grants and bursaries to postdoctoral fellows, postgraduate and undergraduate students at universities, and universities of technology, and to FET students training to be artisans.

• The project is also supporting five research chairs at South African universities. The research chairs have further increased the number of researchers and supervisors who are able to supervise postgraduate students and manage SKA and MeerKAT-related research.

The key HCD initiatives planned over the three-year MTEF period are:• The DST has initiated a review of the

HCD programmes currently running across the Astronomy facilities with a view to consolidating these into a comprehensive and holistic initiative within the Astronomy Sub-Agency. It is anticipated that the consolidated HCD programme will be implemented from 2014/15, although the initiatives mentioned below will continue;

• The ongoing implementation of the HCD programme, funded by the SKA SA project, provides grants and bursaries in areas described above;

• In parallel, the capacity development programme will focus on accessing external funding, particularly for increasing capacity development in the universities in the SKA partner countries in Africa (Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Madagascar, Namibia and Botswana). The objective is to obtain funding to replicate the South African pipeline-capacity development model in the other countries, albeit on a smaller scale;

• The National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP) is a collaboration of ten universities and four research facilities. The programme focuses on attracting BSc graduates to postgraduate studies and ultimately a PhD in astrophysics or space science. NASSP will be expanded to more sites in the future, thus providing a better geographical distribution across the country;

PROGRAMME 05

105

• The Astronomy Sub-Agency will participate in the DST-NRF internship programme in which unemployed SET graduates and postgraduates will be afforded an opportunity to acquire practical work experience and improve their competencies through mentoring and exposure to a research environment; and

• The Mechanical Department at SAAO has partnered with North Link Technical College to train tool, jig and die-making apprentices for a period of three years. The students are introduced to precision machining and specialised opto-mechanical design and manufacturing, disciplines that are required at an observatory. After the three-year period, the students will be fully qualified and ready to enter the workplace.

8.5.4.2. Research infrastructure

The research infrastructure at the SAAO and HartRAO requires renewal and enhancement. In recognition of this, the astronomy facilities have allocated R131m over the next three years to invest in equipment and maintain the international competiveness and relevance of the facilities. These allocations will allow both SAAO and HartRAO to enhance the current platforms and attract additional students and researchers, thereby facilitating a journey into new research areas. Key areas of investment include:• A new, 1m robotic optical telescope

(R17m) and investment in SALT for the upgrade to key instrumentation and the mirror alignment system (R14m);

• Instrumentation for SAAO small telescopes (R9m) and upgrades to the IT infrastructure (R6m);

• Planning has commenced on the acquisition of a 4m telescope which will not only expand the optical research capabilities, but also facilitate follow-up of MeerKAT/SKA discoveries, especially of large surveys. During the MTEF period, a business case will be developed to source funding for such an instrument.

• A new, fast slewing 12m, 2010-compliant VLBI radio telescope at HartRAO (R49m); and

• Upgrades to the geodetic infrastructure to provide the platform for research in new scientific areas (R10m).

The SKA SA project requires R2bn over the MTEF period, inclusive of the initial investment for SKA Phase I. The majority of the costs are for MeerKAT. The construction of MeerKAT is based on novel designs of both the antennae and associated systems and this is at the cutting-edge of technological innovation within radio astronomy. Sixty-four dishes will be connected to operate as a “single” instrument, whilst SKA Phase I will have some 3 000 dishes inclusive of those in African partner countries.

The research platforms offered within the Sub-Agency consist mainly of optical and radio telescope systems that provide a solid base for research and human capital development. The planned infusion of new infrastructure through the MTEF period will allow the facilities to develop new collaborations and partnerships, as well as embrace the latest technologies to remain relevant within the international research space.

KAT7 installation in the Karoo



- Tide gauges and GNSS receivers will be installed on the coast of South Africa, in collaboration with the SA Navy and TUT. These will facilitate the measurement of ocean levels in the short term for navigational purposes and ocean level change due to global climate change in the long term.

• Optical and Near Infrared Astronomy (SAAO)The main operating platforms are:- The research telescopes located

360 km from the Cape Town headquarters in the Northern Cape on the Sutherland observing plateau, together with a hostel for visiting staff, plus site staff housing workshops, a visitor centre and recreation centre.

- Table 26 is an indication of the research telescopes available at the SAAO observing station.

- Global Positioning System (GPS) base station receiver; Galileo Satellite Navigation System receiver; experimental tri-band GPS receiver for NASA.

- An underground vault which is being equipped with a wideband seismometer, accelerometer and gravimeter as part of a local and international network.

- GNSS receivers at Sutherland, Richard’s Bay, Simon’s Town, Hamburg, Willowmore, Matjiesfontein, Marion Island, Gough Island, SANAE, Malawi and Zambia. GNSS receivers are expected to be installed adjacent to tide gauges at Walvis Bay and Luderitz in Namibia in 2013, in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg and Namport, subject to approval by Namibia.

- A vault will be added to the Klerefontein site, which will be equipped with a wideband seismometer, accelerometer and gravimeter. The data of this seismic vault will be used to characterise the Klerefontein and surrounding area for a possible future Laser Interferometer Gravity-Wave Observatory (LIGO) site. This is envisaged to be a facility dedicated to the detection of cosmic gravitational waves and the measurement of these waves for scientific research, and will be part of a global network of similar stations.

Research platforms that are currently available include:

• Single Dish Radio Astronomy (HartRAO)- 26m radio telescope equipped with

receivers for several wavelength bands from 1.3cm to 18cm, with the majority being cryogenically cooled for increased sensitivity. The instrument is also used for VLBI networks in Europe and Australia, as well as for geodesy and astrometry VLBI service.

- 15 m radio telescope, originally built as the KAT demonstration model, has been equipped with a cryogenic dual frequency 2.3 + 8.4 GHz receiver system. This receiver is primarily for geodetic VLBI to supplement and back-up the 26 m telescope, but it also has astronomical research applications.

- The NASA MOBLAS-6 Satellite Laser Ranger (SLR), under an inter-governmental agreement with the USA, has been in operation since 2000 with technical and maintenance support by NASA. It is used for precise measurement of the orbits of satellites, coordinated by the ILRS. This is the only operational SLR in Africa.

- 1m optical telescope previously used as an SLR and donated by the Observatoire de la Cote d’Azur in France, is being developed as a L/SLR, for eventual relocation to a good optical site.

Telescopes Mirror Diameter

SALT 10.0m

1.9m 1.9m

1.0m 1.0m

0.75m 0.75m

0.5m 0.5m

Alan Cousins 0.75m

Table 26: Key research telescopes available at SAAO

PROGRAMME 05

107

• SKA SA ProjectThe SKA SA project is essentially an engineering project that is now responsible for the construction and commissioning of MeerKAT and its associated support infrastructure. There will be a network of 64 dishes, which is expected to be in operation in 2017.

8.5.4.3. Knowledge generation

Research activities within the Astronomy Sub-Agency embrace scientists and students from both the national and international communities with an emphasis on: • Research articles published in high-

impact (ISI accredited) journals;• Presentations of research results at

international conferences and meetings; • The use of the research platforms by

postgraduate students;• Supervision of postgraduate students by

staff; and• Participation in and expansion of national

and international collaborations.

In addition, KAT-7, an array of seven telescopes and a precursor to MeerKAT, is now fully operational, and it will also be used for MeerKAT systems testing. Due to the various activities on site, KAT-7 will mainly be used at night.

The key scientific activities over the MTEF period include:• Exploiting the capabilities of KAT-7 by

actively encouraging local astronomers to pursue internationally relevant research, and utilise the instrument as a test-bed for MeerKAT; and

• Actively progress the development of multi-wavelength astronomy through on-going interactions between the astronomy facilities and SKA SA and encouraging the use of SALT by radio astronomers joint projects to be initiated;

• On-going use of the small optical telescopes for follow-up on large optical surveys including those using SALT;

The planned AVN in the African partner countries will have a mix of satellite dishes that will be converted for radio astronomy and newly built radio telescopes. SKA SA will commission these telescopes. Funding is still to be secured for the new telescopes.

• Development of a combined Lunar Laser Ranger / Satellite Laser Ranger (L/SLR) based around the donated 1 m optical telescope;

• Expanding participation in astrometric research; given HartRAO’s geographic importance and key role in developing and maintaining the ICRF, it will now participate in the ICRF working group; and

• Continuing with the development of the AVN in African partner countries.

Expenditure Type

2012/13 2013/14 Budget

2013/14Actual

expenditureNETVAR. Budget

Latest projection

NETVAR. 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

Capital 489.6 203.1 286.4 303.1 451.5 (148.3) 453.0 288.7 311.8

Repairs and maintenance

216.7 21.4 0.18 18.1 5.5 12.5 4.7 4.6 4.7

TOTAL 511.2 224.6 286.6 321.2 457.1 (135.8) 457.7 293.4 316.5

The planned annual investment in infrastructure is summarised in Table 27:

Table 27: Investment in research infrastructure (R million)

The investments are dominated by the SKA SA, the scheduled MeerKAT and the commencement of the infrastructure projects for SKA Phase I.



The Sutherland observing station has strategic advantages that have to date attracted eleven international facilities for astronomy and Earth system science. Principal among these is SALT, a 10-m class optical telescope developed and funded by a consortium of international partners from South Africa, the USA, Germany, India, Poland, the UK and New Zealand. South Africa is the largest single shareholder in SALT (33%), and SAAO operates SALT on a contractual basis on behalf of the SALT Foundation, the entity that owns SALT.

HartRAO has been a member of the European VLBI Network (EVN) since 2011, having been an associate member for the previous ten years, and is formally part of the Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE) consortium. The 26m telescope also operates as part of the Australia Telescope Long Baseline Array (AT-LBA) to provide a southern hemisphere astronomical VLBI platform. The facility further provides observing time to the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS).

8.5.4. Major developments over the three-year MTEF period

• Radio Astronomy:- MeerKAT – design, development

and construction of the first dish is scheduled to be completed in March 2014. The remaining dishes will be rolled out by March 2017.

- The completion of the MeerKAT support infrastructure is scheduled for March 2014. This schedule supports the planning of infrastructure as well as design

8.5.4.4. Internationalisation and mobility

The mandate of all the National Research Facilities calls for strong collaborations with international partners. This is essential in order to maintain international competitiveness in the associated research fields. Thus formal collaborative agreements have been signed with organisations worldwide, where both research and postgraduate student training are actively pursued.

Use is made of the RISA mobility grants to fund international visits to and from South Africa, and attendance as well the presentation of papers and posters at conferences are encouraged. The facilities within the Astronomy Sub-Agency are extremely active internationally as the nature of their research activities demands extensive interactions that include the follow-up of large surveys with other astronomy modalities or telescopes.

SKA SA will continue with its interactions with the international SKA Office with regard to the hosting agreement and contributions as well as the funding model to be used. On-going discussions will also continue on SKA Phase I and the integration of MeerKAT within this phase. The African partners are actively engaged in the planned AVN and in preliminary discussions on the SKA. Also, collaborations with partners of C-Band All Sky Survey (C-BASS) and PAPER are progressing well, and it is anticipated that C-BASS will be fully operational by the end of the 2014/15 financial year. SKA SA will provide active support to the collaborators of PAPER for the development of HERA, which is planned to be a follow-up to PAPER.SALT first light image: The Lagoon

Nebula (Central Regions)

PROGRAMME 05

109

is the next generation of highly accurate geodetic VLBI antennae and has been conceived to push global accuracies of position and reference frames from the centimetre to the millimetre level. These radio telescopes are also designed to be fast-slewing, and planning for the project will commence in early 2014.

- Active participation in the SA Gravity Wave Astronomy (GWA) project by investigating possible sites for a proposed next generation GWA detector and to investigate and model possible sources of noise related to geophysical processes, such as seismicity and the solid Earth tides that would adversely affect such a site.

work, as part of the SKA Pre-evaluation Phase (PEP) activities, for SKA Phase 1.

- Funding for a 4-m class optical telescope is being sought. This telescope will significantly enhance the research capabilities of the South African astronomical community and will allow the exploitation of discoveries made with MeerKat/SKA and other coming international facilities.

- During 2014/15 it is planned to complete the conversion of dishes for Ghana and Mozambique and the planning and preparation for the Kenyan installation.

- The construction of a VLBI 2010 antenna system at HartRAO will be funded from the strategic infrastructure grant. This system

• Optical Astronomy:Both the 0.5m and 0.75m telescopes will be decommissioned and a new 1.0m telescope will replace these. The 1m will offer greater observing capabilities and will also be funded through the NRF strategic infrastructure grant. The target commissioning date is set for 2015. On the telescope will be configured for remote and robotic observations, making the operations more flexible for observers, and its instrumentation will be designed to minimise operations support.

The support and operation of the Alan Cousins telescope may be transferred to a consortium of interested users in the future.

Cilence Munghemezulu is a final year MSc student at the University of Pretoria, supervised by Prof. Ludwig Combrinck of HartRAO and Dr Joel Botai of UP. Using data from a GPS geodetic base-station, he studied the motion of the African continental plate and the link with the earthquakes that take place along the subduction zone (between the European and African plates).


C

111111

The NRF performance targets are structured in two ways, namely according to:• The strategic goals of the NRF; and• The Balanced Scorecard perspectives.

9.1. NRF performance indicators according to strategic goals

The NRF Vision 2015 directs its activities to-wards the achievement of five strategic goals, i.e.:• Promoting internationally competitive



• Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms;

• Operating world-class evaluation and grant-making systems; and

• Contributing to a vibrant national system of innovation.

The performance targets of the NRF are set against these strategic goals (see Table 28).

9. NRF PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Balanced Scorecard reflects the planned performance of the NRF in terms of the scorecard perspectives. The corporate indicators set targets for the NRF’s performance against the strategic goals of the organisation.

PART C

PART C


Strategic goal Indicator description

Historical data Estimate MTEF targets

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

% or number

% or number

% or number

% or number

1st Quarter

% or number

2nd Quarter

% or number

3rd Quarter

% or number

4th Quarter

% or number

% or number

% or number

Promoting internationally competitive research as the basis for a knowledge economy

Outcome Number of ISI publications published by NRF funded researchers

3 935 4 777 5 185 5 500 5 700 6 000 6 000

Output Available grant funding awarded (Rand value and ratio) 82% 82% 84% 90% 80% 85% 90% 91% 93% 95%

Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa

Output Number and proportion of NRF-funded researchers from designated groups to total number of NRF- funded researchers *

Black ratio 29% 26% 26% 31% 32% 33% 34% 34% 37% 40%

Black number 839 754 790 1 185 600 950 1 200 1 300 1 450 1 650

Women ratio 34% 33% 34% 41% 42% 43% 44% 44% 47% 50%

Women number 991 957 1 044 1 567 800 1 300 1 600 1 700 1 850 2 075

Output Number and proportion of post-graduate students from designated groups to total NRF-funded post-graduate students *

Black 60% 60% 63% 62% 64% 65% 65% 65% 68% 71%

Black number 5 193 4 569 5 541 6 914 3 600 5 600 7 200 7 400 7 850 8 150

Women 54% 49% 52% 51% 51% 52% 53% 53% 54% 55%

Women number 4 633 3 774 4 557 5 722 3 000 4 500 6 000 6 100 6 250 6 350

Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa: Corporate human resources and transformation (NRF internally)

Outcome Proportion of South Africans from designated groups in managerial and senior supervisory levels (Peromnes 1 - 8)

Black 58% 59% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 61% 61%

Women41% 34% 41% 43% 44% 44% 44% 44% 45% 45%

Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms

Output Number of ISI publications published by NF researchers (incl. joint papers)

220 233 271 275 74 150 225 295 310 330

Input Total infrastructure investment (incl SKA) R’000 263 355 287 747 324 955 742 881 195 000 390 000 585 000 779 993 879 370 638 025

Operating world-class evaluation and grant-making systems

Output Rating applications reviewed 520 695 786 790 - - 800 800 815 830

Output Number of grant applications processed through NRF Online 4 810 4 784 5 634 6 176 1 950 5 500 7 500 7 846 8 663 8 663

Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system

Output Science engagement Interactions Learners reached 236 896 268 229 271 641 342 135 87 500 175 000 262 500 347 864 360 320 374 403

Educators reached 5 979 10 365 8 758 10 425 3 000 6 000 9 000 12 645 13 870 15 210

Output Number of students supported (RISA & Facilities)

Masters 3 767 3 801 3 592 4 394 2 400 3 600 4 500 4 828 4 935 5 042

Doctoral 2 030 2 098 2 149 2 759 1 400 2 100 2 500 2 790 2 813 2 937

Organisational outcome

Unqualified audit report Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Table 28: NRF performance indicators according to NRF goals

*Targets adjusted upwards in oder to stretch performance towards achieving transformation as agreed with the DST.

PERFROMANCE INDICATORS

113

Balanced Scorecard Perspective Indicator description

Estimate MTEF targets

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

% or number

% or number

% or number

% or number

1st Quarter

% or number

2nd Quarter

% or number

3rd Quarter

% or number

4th Quarter

% or number

% or number

% or number

Stakeholder perspective

Outcome Number of ISI publications published by NRF funded researchers 3 935 4 777 5 185 5 500 5 700 6 000 6 000

Output Number of ISI publications emanating from the facilities 220 233 271 275 74 150 225 295 310 330

Output Science engagement interactions Learners reached 236 896 268 229 271 641 342 135 87 500 175 000 262 500 347 864 360 320 374 403

Educators reached 5 979 10 365 8 758 10 425 3 000 6 000 9 000 12 645 13 870 15 210

Output Number of students supported (RISA & Facilities)

Masters 3767 3801 3592 4 394 2 400 3 600 4 500 4 828 4 935 5 042

Doctoral 2030 2098 2149 2 759 1 400 2 100 2 500 2 790 2 813 2 937

Financial perspective

Output Available grant funding awarded (Rand value and ratio) 82% 82% 84% 90% 80% 85% 90% 91% 93% 95%

Input Total infrastructure investment (incl SKA) R’000 263 355 287 747 324 955 742 881 195 000 390 000 585 000 779 993 879 370 638 025

Organisational perspective

Output Rating Applications reviewed 520 695 786 790 - - 800 800 815 830

Output Number of grant applications processed through NRF Online 4 810 4 784 5 634 6 176 1 950 5 500 7 500 7 846 8 663 8 663

Outcome Unqualified audit report Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Human Resources and Transformation perspective (external)

Output Number and proportion of NRF-funded researchers from designated groups to total number of NRF-funded researchers *

Black (Percentage) 29% 26% 26% 31% 32% 33% 34% 34% 37% 40%

Black (Number) 839 754 790 1 185 600 950 1 200 1 300 1 450 1 650

Women (Percentage) 34% 33% 34% 41% 42% 43% 44% 44% 47% 50%

Women (Number) 991 957 1 044 1 567 800 1 300 1 600 1 700 1 850 2 075

Output Number and proportion of post-graduate students from designated groups to total NRF funded post-graduate students *

Black (Percentage) 60% 60% 63% 62% 64% 65% 65% 65% 68% 71%

Black (Number) 5 193 4 569 5 541 6 914 3 600 5 600 7 200 7 400 7 850 8 150

Women (Percentage) 54% 49% 52% 51% 51% 52% 53% 53% 54% 55%

Women (Number) 4 633 3 774 4 557 5 722 3 000 4 500 6 000 6 100 6 250 6 350

Human resources and transformation perspective (internal)

Outcome Proportion of South Africans from designated groups in managerial and senior supervisory levels (Peromnes 1 - 8)

Black 58% 59% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 61% 61%

Women 41% 34% 41% 43% 44% 44% 44% 44% 45% 45%

Table 29: Balance Scorecard performance

9.2. Balanced Scorecard approach

The targets for achieving the NRF’s goals are also mapped against the key perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard. The perspectives in-clude the: • Stakeholder perspective;• Financial perspective;• Organisational perspective (business

processes and procedures);

• Organisational learning and growth perspective; and

• Human resources and transformation perspective.

The suite of key performance indicators and targets is shown in Table 29.

Performance targets in the stakeholder per-spective reflect the strategic intent of the NRF. The remaining Balanced Scorecard perspec-tives are regarded as internal NRF performance areas that support the ability of the organisation to address its strategic priorities effectively and efficiently.

The quarterly targets for 2014/15 is cumulative.*Targets adjusted upwards in oder to stretch performance towards achieving transformation as agreed with the DST.

PART C


10. NRF SUPPORTING POLICY FRAMEWORK

2014/15 OBJECTIVES

A Exemptions granted from the provisions of the PFMA

B Risk Management Plan

C Fraud Prevention Plan

D Materiality and Significance Framework

E Schedule of the NRF board’s main activities

F Structure and composition of the NRF board and its committees

G Employment Equity Plan

H Business Development Strategy

I Communication Plan

J ICT Plans

Policies that form the supporting framework of the operations of the NRF are available on request.

10.1. The NRF Supporting Policy Framework

CONTACTS

115

11.1. Corporate ExecutivesDr AS van JaarsveldCEO: National Research Foundation (NRF) Tel: +27 12 481 4137Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

Dr D PillayDeputy CEO: Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA) Tel: +27 12 481 4286Fax: +27 12 481 4162Email: [email protected]

Dr BA DamonseGroup Executive: Science Engagement and Corporate RelationshipsTel: +27 12 481 4329Email: [email protected]

Mr B SinghChief Financial Officer and Group Executive: Finance and Business Systems Tel: +27 12 481 4038Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

Mr PB ThompsonGroup Executive: Human Resources and Legal Services Tel: +27 12 481 4073Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

11.2. CorporateMr RD GraceExecutive Director: Corporate Finance Tel: +27 12 481 4355Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

Ms F OsmanExecutive Director: Corporate GovernanceTel: +27 12 481 4192Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

Mr MW SkowronskiExecutive Director: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Tel: +27 12 481 4335Fax: +27 12 481 4234Email: [email protected]

Dr SD SelematselaExecutive Director: Knowledge Management Corporate (KMC)Tel: +27 12 481 4158Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

11.3. RISA Dr AM KanikiExecutive Director: Knowledge Fields Development (KFD)Tel: +27 12 481 4260Fax: +27 12 481 4005Email: [email protected]

Dr AM KanikiActing Executive Director: Reviews and Evaluation (RE)Tel: +27 12 481 4260Fax: +27 12 481 4005Email: [email protected]

Dr R MaharajExecutive Director: Human Institutional Capacity Development (HICD)Tel: +27 12 481 4087Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

Dr R MaharajActing Executive Director: Research Chairs and Centres of Excellence (RCCE)Tel: +27 12 481 4087Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

Dr NB NthambeleniExecutive Director: Grant Management and Systems Administration (GMSA) Tel: +27 12 481 4182Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

Dr NSR SkeefExecutive Director: Applied Research, Innovation and Collaboration (ARIC)Tel: +27 12 481 4129Fax: +27 12 481 4246Email: [email protected]

Dr Thandi MgwebiExecutive Director: Institutional Engagement Development Programme (IEDP)Tel: +27 12 481 4022Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]

11.4. National Research FacilitiesProf N Chetty Group Executive: AstronomyTel: +27 12 481 4010Fax: +27 12 414 3800Email: [email protected]

Mr Yunus ManjooDirector: Business Systems and AnalysisTel: +27 12 481 4210Fax: +27 12 481 4006Email: [email protected]: www.nrf.ac.za

Dr M GaylardManaging Director: Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO)Tel: +27 12 301 3100Fax: +27 12 301 3300Email: [email protected] Web: www.hartrao.ac.za

Dr AW PatersonManaging Director: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) Tel: +27 46 603 5800Fax: +27 46 622 2403Email: [email protected]: www.saiab.ac.za

Mr J PauwExecutive Director: South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Tel: +27 12 349 7722Fax: +27 12 392 9316Email: [email protected] Web: www.saeon.ac.za

Dr C NxomaniExecutive Director: National Zoological Gardens (NZG) Tel: +27 12 328 3265Fax: +27 12 323 4540Email: [email protected] Web: www.nzg.ac.za

Prof JJ LawrieExecutive Director: iThemba LABSTel: +27 21 843 1000Fax: +27 21 843 3525Email: [email protected] Web: www.tlabs.ac.za

Prof TB WilliamsExecutive Director: South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) Tel: +27 12 447 9318Fax: +27 12 447 3639Email: [email protected]: www.saao.ac.za

For further information on aspects of this document, please contact:

Faranah OsmanExecutive Director: GovernanceTel: +27 12 481 4192Fax: +27 12 481 4006E-mail: [email protected]: www.nrf.ac.za

11. CONTACTS

PART C


GEF Global Environmental Facility

GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum (German Research Centre for Geosciences)

GGOS Global Geodetic Observing System

GIS Geographic information system

GLOSS Global Sea Level Observing System

GMSA Grant Management and Systems Administration

GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System

GPS Global Positioning System

GSN Graduate Student Network

HartRAO Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory

HCD Human Capacity Development

HEI Higher Education Institution

HESA Higher Education South Africa

HICD Human and Institutional Capacity Development

HR Human Resources

ICP Institutional Capacity Programme

ICSU International Council for Science

ICSU ROA International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa

ICT Information and Communication Technology

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

IKS Indigenous Knowledge Systems

IOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

IRC International Relations and Cooperation

IRS Information Resources and Services

ISOLDE On-Line Isotope Mass Separator

IT Information Technology

iThemba LABS

iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences

JINR Joint Institute for Nuclear Research

JSE Johannesburg Securities Exchange Ltd

12. LIST OF ACRONYMS

ACEP African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme

AIMS African Institute of Mathematical Science

AISA Africa Institute of South Africa

ALICE A Large Ion Collider Experiment

ARC Agricultural Research Council

ARIC Applied Research, Innovation and Collaboration

ASCLME Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystem

ASSAf Academy of Science of South Africa

ATAP Acoustic Tracking Array Platform

AVN African VLBI Network

BAC Bid Award Committee

BBBEE Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment

BTech Bachelor of Technology

CEO Chief Executive Officer

CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research (Organisation européenne pour la recherche nucléaire)

CHE Council on Higher Education

CoE Centre of Excellence

CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

DACST Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (no longer in existence under this name)

DAFF Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

DEA Department of Environmental Affairs

DFA Department of Foreign Affairs (no longer in existence under this name)

DHET Department of Higher Education and Training

DIRCO Department of International Relations and Cooperation

DMR Department of Mineral Resources

DoE Department of Energy

DoH Department of Health

DST Department of Science and Technology

ERM Enterprise Risk Management

LIST OF ACRONYMS

117

KAT Karoo Array Telescope

KM&E Knowledge Management and Evaluation

KPI Key Performance Indicator

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MFA Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MRC Medical Research Council

MTEF Medium-Term Expenditure Framework

MTSF Medium-Term Strategic Framework

MV megaVolt

NACI National Advisory Council on Innovation

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASSP National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme

NECSA Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa

NRDS National Research and Development Strategy

NRF National Research Foundation

NSI National System Innovation

NTeMBI Nuclear Technologies in Medicine and the Biosciences Initiative

NWO Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research)

NZG National Zoological Gardens

PFMA Public Finance Management Act

PhD Doctor of Philosophy

PRMB Post-retirement Medical Benefits

R&D Research and Development

RD&I Research, Development and Innovation

RIMS Research Information Management System

RISA Research and Innovation Support and Advancement

S&T Science and Technology

SA South Africa

SAAO South African Astronomical Observatory

SAASTA South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement

SADC Southern African Development Community

SAEON South African Environmental Observation Network

SAIAB South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity

SALT Southern African Large Telescope

SANAP South African National Antarctic Programme

SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute

SANCOR South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research

SANERI South African National Energy Research Institute

SANHARP South African Nuclear Human Asset and Research Programme

SANParks South African National Parks

SANReN South African National Research Network

SARChI South African Research Chairs Initiative

SAWS South African Weather Service

SC Specialist Committee

SET Science, Engineering and Technology

SKA Square Kilometre Array

SLR Satellite Laser Ranger

SPII Support Programme for Industrial Innovation

SPP Strategic Platforms Programme

SSC Separate Sector Cyclotron

STP Seda Technology Programme

the dti Department of Trade and Industry

THRIP Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme

TIA Technology Innovation Agency

USA United States of America

VLBI Very Long Baseline Interferometry

VoIP Voice-over Internet Protocol

WRC Water Research Commission

XDM eXperimental Development Model

Postal Address:

Box 2600

PRETORIA

0001

South Africa

Phone numbers: +27 (0)12 481-4000

Fax number: +27 (0)12 349-1179

General email address: [email protected]

Documents

NRF Annual Performance Plan- Final Draft18.indd