National Research Foundation - rating | Research Support | Services | NWU

"The NRF rating system is a key driver in the NRF’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa. It is a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of our researchers against the best in the world. NRF ratings are allocated based on a researcher’s recent research outputs and impact as perceived by international peer reviewers. The rating system encourages researchers to publish high quality outputs in high impact journals/outlets. Rated researchers as supervisors will impart cutting-edge skills to the next generation of researchers.

“The rating of individuals is based primarily on the quality and impact of their research outputs over the past eight years, taking into consideration the evaluation made by local and international peers. It identifies researchers who count among the leaders in their fields of expertise and gives recognition to those who constantly produce high quality research outputs. Several South African universities use the outcomes of the NRF evaluation and rating process to position themselves as research-intensive institutions, while others provide incentives for their staff members to acquire and maintain a rating and give special recognition to top-rated researchers." National Research Foundation

NRF rating application

There are four types of applications:

New

This applies to researchers who have never applied for rating before, or researchers whose application was withdrawn before it was processed.

Re-evaluation by invitation

Researchers who are currently rated will be invited by the NRF to submit the relevant documents for re-evaluation in the fifth year of their cycle. If the rating is successful, the new rating will be valid on 1 January of the next year.

Re-evaluation

When a researcher chooses not to respond to the re-evaluation by invitation and their ratings are no longer valid, or their application for rating was unsuccessful for three or more years.

Special re-evaluation

In some cases, an applicant may apply for a special re-evaluation sooner than the five-year cycle if an applicant has shown such progress that the existing rating is inconsistent with the applicant’s present situation. A newly prepared application must be submitted to the NRF, together with a motivation from the appropriate authority.

Please note that the campus process should be completed before you can submit your application for an NRF rating. Electronic applications can be submitted here.

For any further information or assistance, please contact Ms Funanani Lavhelani.

Research Support

National Research Foundation - rating

NRF rating application

NRF rated researchers

A – Leading international researchers

B – Internationally acclaimed researchers

C – Established researchers

P – Prestigious Awards

Y – Promising young researchers