About the Awards
The NSTF Awards is the flagship project of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)
The NSTF Awards honour and celebrate outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation. The awards encourage and reward excellence in:
Scientific
Research
Water
Solutions
The Green
Economy
The NSTF Awards dating from 1998, have since 2015 been organised in partnership with South32 (a resources company which was established after the demerger of BHP Billiton).
Largest SET and innovation awards in South Africa: The NSTF Awards have grown to be the largest and most prestigious public SET and innovation awards in South Africa. The previous winners are widely recognised as worthy recipients.
Endorsed by the DSI (formerly DST): The NSTF Awards are endorsed by and have been supported since the inception of the awards by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) now re-named the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) as of 2020. The Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, previously the Minister of Science and Technology, is the official patron of the NSTF Awards.
These awards are unique in South Africa
There are a number of reasons that the awards are special:
Nominations are registered online by the first deadline (usually in December). Full nomination documents have to be submitted by the second deadline (usually in March).
An adjudication panel of independent judges is assembled annually. It represents all sectors of the NSTF membership and, in the case of the sponsored categories, representatives of these sponsors. The adjudication panel reviews the nominations, identifies those that are eligible, shortlists the finalists and makes the final selection of winners. A panel of experts is also appointed by the NSTF Executive Committee. These experts assist the adjudication panel by reviewing and providing validation of the selections.
Definitions of science, engineering, technology and innovation
Science
Refers to the systematic study of the nature and behaviour of the material and physical universe. This is defined, in the broadest sense, to encompass both the natural and human sciences.Engineering
Considered as the practical application of this knowledge, especially in industry and commerce but also in human scientific fields.
Technology
Seen as the means by which science is converted into engineering and other applications, disciplines and undertakings.Innovation
Means the application, in practice, of creative new ideas. It includes inventions, discoveries and the processes by which new products and services enter the market and the creation of new businesses.
The generic value chain which links these elements together is expressed in the definition of our National System of Innovation (NSI). The value chain spans the stages of inputs, processes, outputs, impacts and outcomes. It specifically includes:
The NSTF Awards have long been coveted in South Africa as the ultimate public recognition of achievement and success in the SET and innovation sectors.
The NSTF Awards honour and celebrate outstanding contributions to SET and innovation in South Africa. This is done so that:
Ultimately the purpose of the NSTF Awards is to contribute to achieving sustainable socio-economic growth for South Africa and to improving the quality of people’s lives.
NSTF-South32 Awards
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
The NSTF welcomes collaboration with other organisations, such as those they have been in partnerships with for many years:S.E.T. for socio-economic growth