About the Awards
The NSTF Awards is the flagship project of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF).
The NSTF Awards recognise, honour, reward, celebrate, profile and promote outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa (SA). The awards encourage and reward excellence in:Â
Scientific
research
Management of SET and innovation
Capacity development in engineering
Water
solutions
Clinician science
The Green
Economy
Science diplomacy
Agricultural
solutions
Data for
research
Innovation
Science communication and creating awareness
NGO
work including
education and
training
Special Theme: Quantum science and technology
The NSTF Awards established in 1998, is organised in partnership with South32 since 2016.
Known as the ‘Science Oscars of SA’, the Awards are the largest science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation awards in SA and have grown to be the most prestigious public SET and innovation awards in South Africa. The previous award winners are widely recognised as worthy recipients.
The Awards are endorsed by the Ministry and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI); and have been supported since inception by the DSTI. The Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, is the official patron of the NSTF-South32 Awards.
1. Nominations of candidates are registered online by the first deadline (now in January).
2. Fully completed nomination documents have to be submitted by the second deadline (usually in March). Please see the Terms and Conditions – entries must be received on time.
3. An adjudication panel of independent judges is appointed annually by the NSTF Executive Committee (Exco) from member nominations. 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 Exco. These experts assist the adjudication panel by reviewing and providing validation of the selections.Â
Definitions of science, engineering, technology and innovation
Science
The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the natural and physical world through observation and experiment. This is defined for our purposes to include the social sciences.
Engineering
Considered as the practical application of scientific knowledge, especially in industry, the built environment, information technology, defence and commerce.
Technology
The means by which science is used to create engineering, machines, systems and methods that can solve problems and achieve goals, in a variety of disciplines and undertakings.
Innovation
Means the application, in practice, of new technologies, and creative and new ideas. It includes inventions, discoveries and the processes by which new products, or changes to existing products and services enter the market and the creation of new businesses.Â
The generic value chain which links these elements together is expressed in the definition of our NSI. The value chain spans the stages of inputs, processes, outputs, impacts and outcomes. It specifically includes: research, development and creative work undertaken on a systematic basis. This is in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of people, culture and society and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications. It also includes technology transfer activities associated with research, experimental development and contributing to the dissemination and application of scientific and technical knowledge, education and training.
The value of the NSTF Awards for the nominees
The NSTF Awards have long been coveted in SA as the ultimate public recognition of achievement and success in the SET and innovation sectors.
Purpose of the NSTF Awards
The NSTF Awards honour and celebrate outstanding contributions to SET and innovation in South Africa. This is done so that:
Â
Objectives of the NSTF Awards
NSTF-South32 Awards
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
The NSTF supports the principle of collaborative, widely-inclusive awards and welcomes collaboration with members and other organisations interested, such as the following:
S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
Subscribe to our eNews
Sign up to receive news on what is happening in science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa