the nrf aims to uphold excellence in all its...
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The NRF aims to uphold excellence in all its investments, be it in
knowledge, people and/or infrastructure. We want to contribute to the
quality of life of all the people of South Africa by promoting research,
developing the human capacity pipeline, and by supporting research
infrastructure and research institutions. The NRF supports people
and projects that search for sustainable solutions to the problems
facing society.
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CORPORATE OVERVIEW
Promote and support research
through funding, human resource development and the provision of
the necessary research facilities
in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and
development in all fields of science and technology,
including indigenous knowledge
and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all the
people of the Republic
NRF Act, No 23 of 1998
NRF Mandate - NRF Act
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NRF Core Competencies
• Grant management systems
• Peer evaluation processes and systems
• Strategic and research information management &
dissemination systems
• Providing research platforms
• Science and technology management expertise
• Specialised research capacity
• Catalyst for local and international research collaboration
• Science advancement expertise and platforms
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NRF Vision 2015 Progress
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Details on progress per business division are provided in the Annual Performance Plan (APP).
NRF Vision 2015 Progress
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• Details on progress per business division are provided in the Annual Performance
Plan
NRF Strategic Environment
• National Research and Development Strategy 2002
• 10-Year Innovation Plan 2012
• DHET funding framework - transformational goals
– Equitable student access; quality of teaching and
research; student progression rates; equity in allocation
of government funds; efficiency & effectiveness of use of
funds
12 outcomes of government
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We will…
track the throughput of NRF-funded students.
NRF Strategic Environment
DST performance areas
DST & NRF performance areas
Indirect NRF contribution through funded research 10
Curiosity-driven research Needs/market-driven research
Public appropriability
Development Commercialisation Open research Directed research
Agency - Core Grant
National Research Foundation (NRF) THRIP
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
National Research Facilities
Product
development
Technology
development
Applied
research
Basic
research Commercialisation
Public appropriability Wealth creation
Innovation System Value Chain
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NRF Investment (Grand Challenges)
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NRF Investment (Grand Challenges)
Geographical and/or research advantage
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NRF Investment (Grand Challenges)
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Geographical and/or research advantage for Astro/Geoscience areas excl SKA
NRF Investment (Grand Challenges)
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Geographical and/or research advantage for Astro/Geoscience areas
Cutting Edge Research Platforms (Equipment)
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NRF Sources of Income 2013/14 to 2015/16
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• The NRF funding level for 2013/14 is set to increase by 4.6%
• Funding includes ring-fenced allocation for Global Change Science Plan
implementation (R 64 mil) and the SKA SA project (R300 mil)
• Figures include only the confirmed funding for the MTEF period as at 31 January 2013
NRF Total Expenditure 2013/14
18 Special projects: ICSU ROA, Internship Programme and RIMS
NRF Investment Principles
• Balance between strategy-driven and demand-driven
investment approach
• Competitive, merit-based funding for all types of funding
applications
• Investment takes transformation imperatives into account
• Fairness, transparency and accountability apply in
investment processes
• Appropriate investment choices are made to ensure efficient
service delivery
• NRF invests in the rotation of expertise and talent within the
NSI
• PhD is regarded as an important systems driver 19
NRF Savings, Efficiencies & Continuous Improvement
• Leverage economies of scale by negotiating rates with suppliers
• Cost saving through automated processes such as NRF Online Submission
System and Workflow for SCM
• Video conferencing to reduce travel costs and improve connectivity
• Benchmarking of organisational overheads against similar organisations
• Implementation of the staff plan is in progress
• 5-year review recommendations are being implemented
• Student tracking system is underway
• RISA Renewal
• National facilities’ sustainability plans, e.g, NZG, SAIAB, SAAO, SAEON
Baseline allocation is set to increase by 4.6% for 2013/14
and the following initiatives are being implemented:
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HUMAN RESOURCES
NRF Staff Plan
The Human Resource plan includes:
• The implementation of the RISA Renewal strategy
• Implementation of the staff plan and the succession plan in
dealing with sustainability and transformation issues
• Driving employment equity and transformation toward our
employment equity plan (2015)
• Newly launched Management Development Program (MDP)
in partnership with the University of Stellenbosch over the
next 3 years
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DIVISIONS OF NRF - RISA
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The Ministerial Guidelines for improving equity in the distribution of
DST/NRF bursaries and fellowships (January 2013) gives an indication of
the suggested demographic targets and the level of investment for this
purpose. RISA will factor these guidelines into the decision-making
processes for the 2013/14 funding cycle. Going forward, the NRF will also
announce increased bursary values.
RISA Income
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Human Capacity Development Excellence
Pipeline
26 • Figures include only the confirmed funding for the MTEF period as at 31 January 2013
RISA Human Capacity Development Funding
Trends
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Next Generation Researchers
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2009/10
Actual
2010/11
Actual
2011/12
Actual
2012/13
Target
2013/14
Target
2014/15
Target
2015/16
Target
BTech/
Hons 1 696 2 718 1 700 1 950 3 196 3 414 3 500
Masters 2 373 3 566 2 820 3 390 4 677 4 671 4 700
Doctoral 1 384 1 937 1 519 1 715 2 645 2 665 2 680
Post
Doctoral 304 405 381 390 690 690 700
Number of students supported by the NRF
Next Generation Researchers
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• Targets have been based on only the confirmed funding for the MTEF period as at
31 January 2013.
Emerging Researchers and Cross Cutting Investments
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Cross Cutting Instruments
Established Researchers
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National Equipment Programme
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Once-off top
up grant for
infrastructure Research
Infrastructure
Support
Programme
Scaled down
RISA Performance Targets
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RISA Performance Targets (continued)
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RISA Challenges, Mitigation and Opportunities
• It is a requirement of RISA to be client-centric:
– The RISA Renewal Strategy will address the issue of client-centricity,
efficiency and continuous improvement
• Management of the funding constraints within RISA
– Development of the Scaling up the R&D Enterprise and Funding
Framework in order to increase input into the overall funding baseline
– Engagement between NRF, DHET and DST to improve the alignment
across the system
– Discussions by NRF, DST and National Treasury to leverage additional
funds has led to a funding injection in the 2010/11 financial year. New
funding will also be received for HCD in the next financial year.
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SCIENCE ADVANCEMENT
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SAASTA Income
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Science Advancement Developments - 2013/14
• Repositioning within NRF
(more strategic role
across business units)
• Framework for a public
engagement strategy
(draft submission to DST)
• Strengthening of science
communication initiatives
in partnership with HEI’s,
science councils and
industry
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• Setting the public engagement agenda with science centres,
HEIs, science councils and other partners
• Continued development of Science Advancement platforms:
– Johannesburg Observatory
– NZG Life Sciences Centre
• Coordination of science advancement activities at National
Research Facilities (astronomy cluster collaborations
redefined)
• Coordinate tracking system (s) for student interventions –
impact assessment
• Strengthen international collaborations (exchange of skilled
resources)
• Reduce number of contracts
Science Advancement Developments - 2013/14
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Science Advancement KPIs
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• The estimated targets are based on the confirmed contract and MTEF funding for
the period as at 31 January 2013.
The NRF and DST, in consultation with stakeholders, will…
advise on the optimal positioning, running and funding of
Science Advancement across the NSI.
Science Advancement Challenges, Mitigation and
Opportunities
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• Legislative gap
– Revisions to NRF Act
• National Strategy Development
– On-going discussions and framework development with DST
• Investment Framework
– NRF Scaling Up the Research Enterprise
• National Platforms
– Johannesburg Observatory, NZG Life Science Centre. Funding challenges for
infrastructure development
• Research investment in public engagement of science (impact studies, large scale
surveys on public attitudes, cohort studies, audience analysis, media monitoring
and analysis)
– Research Chair in science communication announced
• Contract driven environment
– still need to improve core funding baseline
• National drive to market science
– MZANSI for Science Project
develop an
infrastructure
investment plan for
the National
Research Facilities.
NATIONAL RESEARCH
FACILITIES
National Research Facilities Structure
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National Research Facilities Income (excl SKA)
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National Research Facility KPIs
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The NRF will…
consider the appropriate placement of the National Research
Facilities and will identify a mindful, phased approach to any
changes that will be in the national interest.
National Research Facility Equipment Grants
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• 75 year celebration of the re-
discovery of the Coelacanth
• Progress on the SKA MeerKAT
construction
• SALT science fully operational
• iTHEMBA Collaboration with NECSA
• SAEON collaboration with National
Parks
Facility Highlights
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National Research Facilities Challenges, Mitigation and
Opportunities • Limited national skills base
– Postdoc deployment (bursary vs job creation)
– SKA on-the-job training
– PDPs in strategic areas
– Student training
• Ageing equipment and infrastructure amidst advancing
technologies – Implement infrastructure plan
– Manage to minimise disruptions in operations
– Prioritise resource commitments to sustain projects
• Access to, and use of, facilities – Promote collaboration between HEIs and facilities
• Evolving new National Facilities – Infrastructure roadmap
– Foresight exercise
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CONCLUDING REMARKS
Conclusion
• Overall growth in NRF funding – reflects positively on South
Africa’s prioritisation of research and innovation within the NSI.
• Grant making streamlined through joint planning by the NRF
and DST.
• Scaling up the R&D Enterprise and Funding Framework
developed.
• Science advancement requires an overarching national
strategic framework to elevate its impact.
• Strategic positioning of the National Research Facilities is
ongoing which includes future planning (roadmap and foresight
exercises). 50
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Strategic Investments
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