"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 – 2026
Applicants are invited to submit applications for evaluation and rating at https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za
NWU’s INTERNAL Closing Date: Closed
NO late applications will be accepted after the closing date above.
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For enquiries please contact: Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 16:30 |
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Grants Management and Systems Administration (GMSA) |
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Eligibility criteria and guidelines as well as NRF Connect Submission System-related queries |
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Ms Jelka Monyela 012 – 481 4185 |
NRF Support Desk 012 – 481 4202 |
- Benchmarking Document
- Application Eligibility Type
- Applicant Eligibility
- Key Research Areas and Types of Research Outputs
- Guidelines for Selection of Reviewers
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This applies to researchers who have never applied for rating before, or researchers whose application was withdrawn before it was processed.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 Mrs Heide Goedhals.
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)