This article has been supplied and will be available for a limited time only on this website. The 2026 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, 03 September 2026, at the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, under the theme “Building an Inclusive, Impactful and Transformed Research Future.” Members of the media are invited to cover this prestigious awards ceremony, held annually to celebrate South Africa’s research excellence.
The programme will feature a welcome address by NRF Board Chairperson Professor Ari Sitas; a keynote address by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande; remarks by NRF Acting CEO Dr Angus Paterson; and closing remarks by the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina.
The NRF Awards recognise outstanding achievements by individual researchers and teams whose excellence has significantly advanced science for the benefit of society. Their internationally competitive work is assessed on, among other criteria, its contribution to the field of study, with a particular focus on quality and impact. One of the objectives of the awards is to foster a sustained culture of advancing South Africa’s scientific knowledge and technological innovation by recognising those who use research to improve humanity.
