- National Research Foundation of South Africa
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National Research Foundation of South Africa 
Abbreviation NRF Formation April 1, 1999 Legal status Foundation Purpose/focus Funding and research in South Africa Region served South Africa Official languages English President Dr. Albert van Jaarsveld Website www.nrf.ac.za South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) is the intermediary agency between the policies and strategies of the Government of South Africa and South Africa's research institutions.
It was established on 1 April 1999 as an autonomous statutory body in accordance with the National Research Foundation Act. Dr. Albert van Jaarsveld serves as the Acting President and CEO of the NRF. The NRF Board is chaired by Professor Belinda Bozzolli.
Functions
The NRF has three main functions:
- to support research and innovation, through its agency, Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA);
- to encourage an interest in science and technology through its business unit, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA);
- to facilitate high-end research through its National Research Facilities (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity; Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory; iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences; South African Astronomical Observatory; Hermanus Magnetic Observatory; National Zoological Gardens of South Africa)
One of the NRF’s key objectives is to ensure appropriately qualified people and high-level infrastructure to produce the knowledge that makes South Africa a global competitor. Its "focus areas" are:
- Research and Innovation Support
- Astro/Space/Geo Sciences
- Biodiversity / Conservation
- Nuclear Sciences
- Advancing Science
Unlike other Science Councils whose role is research performance, the NRF primarily fulfils an agency role, with a smaller portion of its activity allocated to actual research. Funding from the NRF is largely directed towards academic research, developing high-level human resources, and supporting the National Research Facilities, although beneficiaries include students, and private individuals or companies.
See also
- Department of Science and Technology (South Africa)
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
- Human Sciences Research Council (South Africa)
External links
Categories:- African organization stubs
- South Africa stubs
- Science and technology in South Africa
- Organisations based in South Africa
- Research institutes in South Africa
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