Individual Researchers & Related Activities Awards

About the Awards

Awards for individuals for any field of activity relating to research and its outputs in four categories. These are all made to individuals based in South Africa, and who are South Africans or permanent residents. The individual must have made an outstanding contribution to SET in South Africa in any field of activity relating to research and its outputs. This could include related SET and innovation management activities necessary for the successful development and diffusion of new or improved products/services.

Where a period of research is considered

In most cases the period of research would commence with the attainment of a PhD but can also be considered to have started with the research towards that degree.

Completion of a PhD degree is however not of itself a pre-requisite for a nomination for these awards but is intended to provide a benchmark for the assessment. Should there be extraordinary circumstances in the assessment of the appropriate period, the form provides for a suitable motivation in this regard to be provided.

Sub-Categories

Contribution over a lifetime – 15 years or more
TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Researcher – Contribution through research and its outputs over a period from 6 years up to 15 years of research work from the commencement of the research career, predominantly in South Africa
TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Emerging Researcher – Contribution through research and its outputs over a period of up to 6 years of research work from the commencement of the research career, predominantly in South Africa

Contribution through management of SET and Innovation and related activities – over the last 5 to 10 years

Criteria: Lifetime and Researcher Awards

There are no special criteria. However particularly under a) Lifetime Award or b) Researcher Award, it is possible that the career covers different parcels of work/projects or occupations or themes. It is suggested that in this case the career be segmented into relevant periods or themes and that each period or theme be dealt with under each criterion albeit in some cases in lesser detail or not at all.

Additional criteria: Management Award’

Award for contribution through management of SET and innovation and related SET activities over the last 5 to 10 years

The award is made for a contribution to SET and innovation through management activities other than the research itself. It includes all other contributions that are often necessary for the successful development and diffusion of new or improved products, processes or services such as:

Managerial activities of research and research co-ordination including management of training and education
Technical activities including development
Commercial and financial activities