National Research Foundation - rating

"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

 

Call for applications for evaluation and rating – 2025

Applicants are invited to submit applications for evaluation and rating at https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za

NWU’s INTERNAL Closing Date:

To be confirmed

NO late applications will be accepted after the closing date above.

 

For enquiries please contact:

Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 16:30

Grants Management and Systems Administration (GMSA)

Eligibility criteria and guidelines as well as NRF Connect Submission System-related queries

Ms Jelka Monyela

012 – 481 4185

JP.Monyela@risa.nrf.ac.za

NRF Support Desk

012 – 481 4202

Supportdesk@nrf.ac.za

 

NRF Rating categories

Definition of NRF Rating Categories

 

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This applies to researchers who have never applied for rating before, or researchers whose application was withdrawn before it was processed.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

 

Our NRF rated researchers

NWU A – Leading international researchers

Prof Donald Kurtz - Centre for Space Research

NWU B – Internationally acclaimed researchers

Prof Markus Boettcher - Centre for Space Research

Prof Brian Harvey - Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences

Prof Richard Haynes - Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences

Prof Louis Kotze - Development in the SA Constitutional State

Prof Louis Labuschagne - School of Computer, Statistical and Mathematical Sciences

Prof Andreas Ran - Department of Mathematics

Prof Nico Smit - Environmental Sciences and Development

Prof Johnnie Van den Berg - School of Biological Sciences

Prof Christo Venter - Centre for Space Research

Prof Henk Bouwman - Biological Sciences

Prof Sarel Cilliers - School of Biological Sciences

Prof Susan Coetzee-Van Rooy - UPSET research entity (Understanding and processing language in complex settings)

Prof Louis Du Preez - School of Biological Sciences

Prof Stefan Ferreira - Centre for Space research

Prof Stuart Piketh - School of Geo- and Spatial Sciences

Prof Francois Retief - Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof David Scott-Macnab - Department of English

Prof Francois Van der Westhuizen - Division of Biochemistry, School for Physical and Chemical Sciences

Prof Gerhard Van Huyssteen - Unit for Language and Literature in the SA Context, Centre for Text Technology (CTexT)

Prof Bertus Van Rooy - School of Languages  UPSET Research Focus Area

Prof John Bunt - School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering

Prof AIan Channing - Environmental Sciences and Development

Prof Riaan de Jongh - Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics

Prof Connal Eardley - Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Jaco Gericke - Ancient Texts, Contexts, Reception

Prof Ilani Loubser - School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Prof Mark Maboeta - School of Environmental Sciences (Zoology)

Prof Christa Rautenbach - Law

Prof Marius Smuts - Centre of Excellence for Nutrition

Prof Johan Van der Walt - School for Physical and Chemical Sciences

Prof Dewald Van Niekerk - Social Transformation, African Centre for Disaster Studies

Prof Victor Wepener - School of Biological Sciences

Prof Daan Wissing - CTexT

NWU C – Established researchers

Prof Nicholas Allen - School of Ancient Languages and Text Studies

Prof Oladapo Aremu - Indigenous Knowledge Systems Centyre (IKS)

Dr Dmitri Bessarabov - Natural Science, CRB, HySA Infrastructure

Prof Adri Breed - PC Afrikaans and Dutch

Prof Quentin Campbell - PC School of Chemical and Mineral Engineering

Prof Wannie Carstens - School of Languages

Prof Josef de Beer - PC Self Directed Learning (SDL)

Prof Leon De Beer - Workwell Research Unit

Prof Hans De Ridder - School of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science

Prof Dirk De Waele - Natural Siences

Prof Anel Du Plessis - Law, Undergraduate Programmes

Prof Jat Du Toit - School of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering

Prof Driekie Fourie - Unit of Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Aubrey Golightly - Geography Education

Prof Jaco Hoffman - OPTENTIA Research Focus Area

Prof Gideon Kotze - School of Ancient Language and Text Studies

Prof  Salome Kruger - School of Physiology and Nutrition Centre of Excellence Nutrition

Prof Ruan Kruger - HART

Prof Du Toit Loots - Centre for Human Metabonomics

Prof Roan Louw  - PC School of Physical and Chemical Sciences  Biochemistry

Prof Welma Lubbe - School of Nursing Science

Prof Roksana Majewska - Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Elsa Mentz - School of Natural Sciences and Technology for Education, Research Entity: Self directed learning

Prof Mirna Nel - Humanities

Prof Frank Neumann - Geology

Prof Jacques Petzer - Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy

Prof Marlien Pieters - Centre of Excellence - Nutrition

Prof Vera Roos - Optentia Research Focus Area

Prof Ian Rothmann - Optentia Research Programme

Prof Andrea Saayman - School of Economics

Prof Abiodun Salawu - Indigenous Language Media in Africa

Prof Stefan Siebert - Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Sanne Ter Horst - Unit for Business Mathematics and Informatics

Prof Daleen Van der Merwe - School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences

Prof Pieter Van Zyl - Physical and Chemical sciences

Prof Hein Viljoen - School of Languages (Afrikaans and Dutch)

Prof Ché Weldon - School of Biological Sciences

Prof Marie Wissing - Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)

Prof Lesley Wood - School of education studies

Prof Rasheed Adeleke - School of Biological Sciences

Prof Avitus Agbor - School of Undergraduate Studies

Prof James Allison - Statistics

Prof Collins Ateba - Biological Sciences

Prof Alexander Avdeenkov - HySA DST Center

Prof Olubukola Babalola - Food Security and Safety

Prof Robert Balfour - Deans Office

Prof Sandra Barnard - Botany, School for Biological Sciences

Prof Ian Bekker - English

Prof Jacques Berner - Botany, School for Biological Sciences

Prof Carlos Bezuidenhout - PC School of Biological Sciences (Environmental Sciences and Management)

Prof Karel Botha - PC School of Psychosocial Behavioural Sciences

Prof Christiaan Brink - Subject Group of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy

Prof Alfred Brunsdon  - School for Christian ministry and leadership

Prof James Chibueze - Centre for Space Research

Prof Howard Chitimira - Law School of Undergraduate Studies

Prof Juanee Cilliers - Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Geo- and Spacial Sciences, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Sarina Claassens - Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences

Prof Marikje Coetzee -  Computer Sciences and Information Systems

Prof Siedine Knobloch Coetzee - School of Nursing Science

Prof Dané Coetzee - Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport science

Prof Roelof Coetzer - Statistics

Prof Conroy Cupido - School of Music

Prof Marelie Davel - School for IT, Research Entity Director: MuST

Prof Jules Djoko Kamden - School of Mathematical and Statistical Science

Prof Ernst Drewes - Department Urban and Regional Planning

Prof Emmerentia Du Plessis - School of Nursing Science / NuMIQ Research focus area

Prof Hannalene Du Plessis - Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Johan Du Plessis - Occupational Hygiene and Health

Prof Lissinda Du Plessis - Department of Pharmaceutics

Prof Yvonne Du Plessis - NWU Business School

Prof Charlene du Toit-Brits - School of Professional Studies in Education

Prof Andrew Eloka-Eboka - School of Chemical and Mineral

Prof Ray Everson - School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering

Prof Omolola Fayemi -

Prof Oliver Fuo - PC Law

Prof Bernadette Geduld - Curriculum Studies

Prof Minja Gerber - PC Drug Delivery

Prof Amare Abebe Gidelew - Physics

Prof Roelien Goede - Computer Sciences and Information Systems

Prof Rupert Gouws - School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering

Prof Chrisna Gouws - PC Drug delivery

Prof Lene Graupner - School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management

Prof Franci Greyling - School of Languages

Prof Sergey Grigoriev - Hydrogen South Africa (HySA)

Prof Sias Hamman - Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences

Prof Marietjie Havenga - PC Computer Sciences Education

Prof Thys Human - Afrikaans and Dutch

Prof Erhabor Idemudia - Department of Psychology, Population and Health

Prof Leon Jackson - NorthWest University Business School

Prof Cara Jonker - School for Human Resource Sciences

Dr Micky Josipovic - PC Environmental Sciences

Dr Manitza Kotze - PC School of Christian Ministry and Leadership

Prof Henning Krieg - School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Prof Cobus Kriek - PC Chemistry

Prof Ferdi Kruger - Theology

Prof Hennie Kruger - Computer Science

Prof Jaco Kruger - School of Music

Prof Marco Le Roux - Chemical and Minerals Engineering

Prof Lesetja Legoabe - Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences

Prof Bennie Linde - Labour Relations

Dr Tani Lombard - Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences

Prof Martie Lubbe - School of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice

Dr Serena Lucrezi - PC Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society

Prof Vhumani Magezi - School of Christian Ministry

Prof Rodwell Makombe - English

Prof Linda Malan - Centre of Excellence for Nutrition

Prof Kerry Hadfield Malherbe - Environmental Sciences

Prof Ashmore Mawire - School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Prof Carina Mels - Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART)

Prof Susanna Meyer - School of Language Education

Prof Hanlie Moss - Physical activity, sport and recreation research focus area

Prof Karina Mostert - Workwell Research Unit for Economic and Management Sciences

Prof Dumi Moyo - Humanities

Prof Emmanuel Mukwevho - Biochemistry

Prof Chris Munyati - School of Environmental and Health Science

Prof Vishana Naicker - Unit for Energy and Technology Systems

Prof Caleb Narasigadu - School of Chemical and Mineral Engineering

Prof David N'Da - Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences*

Prof Carisma Nel - School for Language Education

Prof Marius Nel - PC Unit for Reformed Theology and Dev of the SA Society

Prof Hein Neomagus - School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering

Prof Cornelie Nienaber-Rousseau - Nutrition

Prof Patrice Ntumba - Mathematics and Applied Mathematics*

Prof Kinglsey Onyebuchi Obodo - Hydrogen South Africa (HySA)

Prof Victor Ojakorotu - Politics & International Relations

Prof Carel Olivier - School of Mathematical and Statistical Science

Dr Abiodun Omotayo -

Dr Damian Onwudiwe - Chemistry

Prof Clovis Oukouomi Noutchie - Department of Mathematical Sciences

Prof Martin Palamuleni - Department of Social Sciences, Population and Health Unit

Prof Neal Petersen - Natural Science Education

Prof Anél Petzer - Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences

Prof Rialet Pieters - Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Ferdinand Potgieter - School of Education Studies

Prof Charl Pretorius - Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics

Prof Tinda Rabie - School of Nursing Science

Prof Helgard Raubenheimer - Centre of Business Mathematics

Prof Ragupathi Rengasamy - Indigenous Knowledge Systems Centre (IKS)

Prof Riaan Rheeder - PC School of Christian Ministry and Leadership

Prof Luke Sandham - Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Leonard Santana - School for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Prof Ilse Schoeman - PC Mathematics and Applied Mathematics

Prof Thekiso Seretlo - School of Mathematical and Statistical Science

Prof Dawid Serfontein - School of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering

Prof Frances Siebert - Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, School of Biological Sciences

Prof Marius Smit - Education Law

Prof Caiphas Soyapi - School of Law Undergraduate Studies

Prof Marius Stander - School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource

Prof Johnathan Taylor - Department of Environmental Sciences and Management*

Prof Patrick Tchepmo Djomegni - Mathematics and Applied Mathematics

Prof Gisella Terre'blanche - Department of Pharmacy

Prof Oriel Thekisoe - Department of Biological Sciences, Zoology

Prof Kenneth Uren - School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering

Prof Ushotanefe Useh - MC Lifestyle Diseases

Dr Mariske van Aswegen (Drewes) - Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Liesl Van der Merwe - School of Music

Prof Petrus Van der Merwe - TREES Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society

Prof Gerrit Van der Waldt - Focus Area: Social Transformation

Prof Tobias Van Dyk - Acdemic Letracy (AGLE)

Prof Chantelle Van Heerden - Philosophy Department

Prof Phil Van Schalkwyk - School of Languages (Afrikaans and Dutch)

Prof George Van Schoor - Unit for Energy and Technology Systems

Prof Cornie Van Sittert - School for Physical and Chemical Sciences

Prof Anton Van Vollenhoven - School of Social Sciences

Prof George van Zijl - School of Geo and Spatial Sciences

Prof Anne Verhoef - PC School of Philosophy

Prof Tanja Verster - Centre of Business Mathematics

Prof Francois Viljoen - Unit  for Reformed Theology

Prof Jaco Visagie - Statistics Department

Prof Wilma Viviers - Economics, Trade and Development

Prof Nico Vorster - Unit for Reformational Theology

Prof Frans Waanders - PC Centre of Excellence Carbon Based Fuels

Prof Ella Wehrmeyer - School of Languages

Prof Mitzi Wiese - School of Law Undergraduate Studies

Prof Johan Zaaiman - Social Transformation

Prof Christo Bisschoff - Business School

Prof Phillip Blaauw - School of Economics

Prof Roelof Burger - School of Geo-and Spatial Sciences

Prof Johanita Burger  - School of Pharmacy

Prof Kobus Du Pisani - School for Social and Government Studies

Prof Lindie Du Plessis - PC School of Tourism Management

Dr Ilse du Preez - Centre for Human Metabolomics

Dr Philip Du Toit - Theology

Prof Tiny du Toit - Computer Sciences and Information Systems*

Prof Jacobus Fouché - School of Accounting Sciences

Dr Ruan Gerber - PC Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Costa Hofisi - Public Administration and Management

Prof Liberty Hove - School of Language Education*

Prof Pierre Jordaan - Department of Ancient Languages and Text Study

Prof Herculene Kotzé - Translation and Interpreting Studies

Prof Martinette Kruger - TREES (Tourism Research in Economics Environs and Society)

Prof Zander Lindeque - Biochemistry

Prof Sydney Mavengahama - School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Crop Sciences

Prof Emmanuel Mgqwashu - School of Natural Sciences and Technology for Education

Prof Sanlie Middelberg - PC School of Accounting Sciences

Prof Elias Munapo - Department of Statistics and Operations Research

Dr Godwin Mushayabasa - Ancient Languages and Text Studies

Prof Bernard Nchindila - School of Languages, Department of English

Dr Daniel Otto - PC Chemical Resource Beneficiation

Prof Haripersad Sewlall - Research Unit of Languages and Literature*

Prof Elmarie Slabbert - PC Tourism Management

Prof Jan Steenekamp - School of Pharmacy

Prof Liezl Van Dyk - School of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering

Prof Elize van Eeden - School of Basic Sciences

Prof Chris van Heerden - PC School of Economic Sciences

Prof Charl Wolhuter - Education studies

NWU P – Prestigious Awards

Prof Du Toit Strauss - Physics

NWU Y – Promising Young Researchers

Dr Eugene Engelbrecht - PC Physics

Prof Wian Erlank - PC School of Law Undergraduate Studies

Prof Lusilda Schutte - Africa Unit for Trans-disciplinary Health Research

Prof Shan Simmonds - PC Curriculum Studies

Prof Armand Viljoen - Tourism Research in Economic

Prof Reece Alberts - Research Unit for Environmental Management and Science

Dr Richard Beteck - School of Pharmacy

Dr Chantelle Bosch - PC Computer Sciences Education

Dr Yolandi Breet - School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences

Prof Byron Bunt - History of Education

Prof Christmal Christmals - Centre for Health Profession Education

Prof Joshua Chukwuere - Information Systems

Prof Dirk Cilliers - School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences

Dr Christo Coetzee - Unit for Environmental Science and Management

Prof Oladipo Olalekan David - Economic Sciences

Dr Zelda de Lange - Centre of Excellence for Nutrition

Prof Zandri Dickason-Koekemoer - PC Trade and Development

Dr Tshegofatso Dikobe - MC Botany

Prof Gerhard Du Preez - School of Geo- and Spacial Sciences, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

Prof Jean du Toit - School of Philosophy

Prof Marina du Toit - School of Mechanical Engineering

Prof Andrew Eloka-Eboka - School of Chemical and Mineral*

Prof Crizelle Els - WorkWell: Research Unit for Economic and Management Sciences

Prof Anja Franken - Physiology

Prof Oliver Fuo - LAW*

Prof Lebo Gafane-Matemane - Physiology

Prof Chrisna Gouws - Drug Delivery

Dr Christopher Holdridge - History/ Social Sciences

Dr Kerneels Jaars - Chemistry

Prof Johanita Kirsten - School of Languages

Prof Vicki Koen - MC Psychology

Prof Mark Kramer - Physical Activity Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)

Dr Laneke Luies - Biochemistry/Focus Area: Human Metabolomics

Prof Vincent Mabvurira - MC Social Work

Prof Wynand Malherbe - Unit of Environmental Sciences

Dr Shayne Mason - Centere of human metabolism

Dr Tafadzwa Matiza - Tourism Research

Dr Gordon Matthew - VC School of Languages

Prof Sithandiwe Mazibuko-Mbeje - Biochemistry

Dr Jaco Meyer - School of Music

Prof Annchen Mielmann - School of Physiology

Prof Caven Mguvane Mnisi - Animal Science

Prof Janelize Morelli - School of Music

Dr Esmarie Myburgh - Tourism Management

Prof Nomali Ngobese - School of Geo- Spatial Sciences

Prof Jacques Rothmann - School of Sociology

Prof Sune Schenk (Ferreira) - VC Risk Management

Dr Wayne Smith - Hypertension_in_Africa_Research_Team_HART*

Dr Martinique Sparks - School of Physical Activity

Dr Madeleen Struwig - MC_School_of_Biological_Sciences

Prof Sheldon Strydom - Geography and Environmental

Dr Rilette Swanepoel - School of Languages*

Prof Elmien Truter (Crafford) - Social Work

Dr Rencia van der Sluis - Focus Area for Human Metabolomics

Prof Leoni Van der Vaart - School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource

Prof Dalene van der Walt - PC Centre for Human Metabolomics

Prof Chris van Rhyn - PC School of Music

Prof Mignon van Vreden - PC School of Music

Prof Germarié Viljoen - PC School of Law Undergraduate Studies

Dr Petrus Wolmarans - Department of Pharmacology

Dr Lizelle Zandberg - Centre of Excellence Nutrition (CEN)