National Research Foundation

Funds long-term initiatives in science, education, and social impact through public mission-focused grantmaking.

The NRF is South Africa's primary public funder of research across all scientific and humanities disciplines. It finances postgraduate scholarships, researcher development grants, bilateral international calls, and national research infrastructure. Funding reaches scientists at South African public universities, science councils, and NRF-recognised research institutions — from Honours level through to established and internationally-rated researchers.

Established by the National Research Foundation Act (Act No 23 of 1998) as an independent statutory body, the NRF absorbed the former Centre for Science Development (HSRC) and Foundation for Research Development (FRD). It operates under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), which co-brands and co-funds several NRF instruments (DSTI-NRF Postgraduate and Honours scholarships). Its mandate spans knowledge production, human-capacity development, national research facilities, and public science engagement.

All applications are submitted through the NRF Connect portal (nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za). The NRF also maintains an independent researcher Evaluation and Rating system (A/B/C/P/Y categories) that gates access to several funding instruments including Y-Rated Support and Established Researcher grants.